On July 7, 2025, in her National Post article “The Order of Canada has been exposed as a sham,” Amy Hamm had the courage to expose how phoney the Order of Canada awards have become. At issue is the awarding of the Order of Canada to Dr. Bonnie Henry, the current BC health officer, and Dr. Theresa Tam, the former chief public health officer of Canada. You will no doubt recognize these names, as both figured prominently in how the COVID pandemic was handled in Canada. Whatever your views on how that was done and the role Doctors Tam and Henry played in that, Ms. Hamm’s article left me questioning the legitimacy of the nomination process for this award and the symbolism of this honour.

Is the Order of Canada Award a Surprise to Recipients?

I’ve often wondered how much of a surprise being awarded the Order of Canada is to the recipients. When the awards are announced, usually with great fan fare, do the recipients feign surprise at being acknowledged?

It has been my experience that the people who chase these awards have egos that demand feeding, and they don’t mind suggesting to friends that they be nominated. In my opinion, what the award bodies should be doing is acknowledging candidates who have done a lot for their communities. It shouldn’t be necessary for a candidate to lower themselves by having to strong-arm friends for something they should be awarded as a matter of course.  I can’t help but wonder who the people are who comprise the Order of Canada selection committee and how many of them have received the “Order”?

The Order of Canada is a Sham

As mentioned, Ms. Hamm’s column zeroes in on Doctors Tam and Henry. Living through the pandemic, I couldn’t help but see the good doctors’ faces on television, over and over again.  From the get-go, I had the distinct feeling that these two were in over their heads and didn’t have even one original thought about the origins of the disease or the best way for the population to survive the COVID virus. 

It didn’t matter if these ladies knew what they were talking about or how they contributed to the impact of COVID on Canadians. Somebody, somewhere, determined that they were worthy of the Order of Canada. In doing so, they depreciated the award for the foreseeable future and turned it into the “sham” Ms. Hamm has revealed.  

But, it is not just these doctors who have depreciated the “Order,” as such depreciation has been going on for years and many of us know recipients who make us shake our heads.  The Order of Canada selection committee should be acknowledged, once and for all, for driving a stake into the heart of this exercise in self-aggrandizement and the ultimate death of what has become a meaningless award.

However, before the sham is finally put to death, for heaven’s sake, as Amy Hamm makes reference, give the Order to Don Cherry.  The Order of Canada would, at least, regain some credibility to offset the many other farce appointments over the years.