Past president of IBC, George Anderson, receives Order of Canada
Toronto – George Anderson, the immediate
past president of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, has been named to the Order of Canada.
The Order of Canada recognizes people who have
made a difference to our country. From local citizens to national and international
personalities, all Canadians are eligible for the Order of Canada, the country’s highest
honour for lifetime achievement. This honour is restricted to a maximum of 136 recipients per year.
“It is overwhelming to receive this kind
of an honour and to be included in such a small group of people,” Anderson says.
“This is a very special occasion.”
In the citation attached to the award, Her
Excellency, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, noted
that: “George Anderson’s imprint can be found on many important segments of
Canadian society. As the head of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), he
established housing programs for modest-income families. Of equal importance is his
service at the helm of the Insurance Bureau of Canada. In concert with government, he
helped to develop strategic responses to enhance our ability to withstand and recover from
natural disasters and catastrophic events. He also worked tirelessly to introduce a
graduated licensing system for novice drivers, which reduces the loss of life and injury
resulting from collisions.”
“Many people must have worked very hard to make this happen, and to those
individuals I am extremely grateful,” says Mr. Anderson.
He began his professional career with Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) in 1971 where he rose to the position of
Vice-President, Field Operations. In 1983, Mr. Anderson left CMHC to become Vice-President
for National Trust Company. In 1986, he rejoined CMHC as President and Chief Executive Officer.
During this period, CMHC was cited by the Auditor General of Canada as one of the
eight well-performing federal government institutions. In 1990, CMHC was selected by the Financial
Post as one of the 100 best companies to work for in Canada.
Mr. Anderson has also served as Chairman of
Central Guaranty Trust. During that time, he was selected as Business Communicator of the
Year by the International Association of Business Communicators – only the second Canadian
to receive this award.
In 1992, Mr. Anderson was appointed as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
From 1992 to 2001, Mr. Anderson was Chair of
the Toronto Civic Employees Pension Fund. He has also served as Chair and Trustee of
several public and private pension funds. He is a member of the Advisory Board of ParkLane
Ventures (Vancouver) and of Carleton University’s Arthur Kroeger College of Public
Affairs. He also chairs the Distinguished Leaders Series at St. Francis Xavier University.
He has also served as a Director of the Empire Club of Canada.
Mr. Anderson’s community work has
included Chair of the Public Service United Way Campaign (Ottawa), the National Mental
Health Fund, Founding Chairman of Best Buddies (Canada) and a member of the Ottawa
Hospital Foundation. In 1994, he was appointed by the Minister of Justice to the National
Crime Prevention Council. He has also represented Canada as Head of Delegation on several
international delegations in Europe, Africa and Japan. From 1986-90, Mr. Anderson was
Co-chair of the Canada-United States Joint Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs and in
1988 he chaired the Economic Commission for Europe Research Symposium on Urban Planning.
George Anderson was born in Toronto and has
lived in Montreal and worked in Western Canada. He has a Bachelor of Arts, with
distinction, from Carleton University, and a Master of Arts from the University of Regina.
Mr. Anderson has also received a Doctorate of Laws (honoris causa) from Carleton
University, Ottawa, at the Fall Convocation, 2001.
Alan Davenport receives Order of Canada
LONDON, Ontario – Dr. Alan
Davenport has been named to the Order of Canada, the country’s highest honour for lifetime
achievement. Alan is active in many areas including his role as the Research Director with
the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), a member of the Board of Directors
and chair of the Research Advisory Committee.
“All of us associated with ICLR are privileged to work with Alan Davenport”,
says ICLR’s executive director, Paul Kovacs.
“Alan is internationally renowned for his
pioneering work in wind engineering and disaster safety. He is a wonderful humanitarian,
and tireless in his determination to make a positive contribution in Canada and on the
international stage. We extend our sincere congratulations to Alan on this distinguished
recognition of his many contributions.”
In the citation attached to the award, Her
Excellency, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, noted
“Dr. Davenport has helped to engineer some of the most challenging structural
projects ever built in Canada, including the CN Tower and the Confederation Bridge. An
expert in seismic activity and wind loads on tall buildings, he led the research at the
University’s wind-tunnel, which resulted in design improvements to maximize resilience to
earthquakes, high winds and improved public safety. Building codes in Canada and abroad
are based on work that has evolved from his leadership. As well, he forged important
partnerships which led to the formation of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction.”
Canada’s home, car and business insurers
founded the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction in 1998. ICLR is a coordinated
effort to reduce disaster losses involving member insurance companies, the University of
Western Ontario and other partners. The Institute earns contract revenue for specific
projects and workshop fees. Ongoing funding is provided by member insurers and the Ontario
Research and Development Challenge Fund. For more information about ICLR, visit our web
site at www.iclr.org.