DURHAM -- When Buzz Hargrove got the phone call telling him he was being made an officer of the Order of Canada, he said he thought it was a joke.
"At first, I thought it was a prank," the Canadian Auto Workers union leader said about the call he got a couple of weeks ago.
When he realized the person calling him was actually a representative from the Governor General's office, Mr. Hargrove said he was thrilled.
"I was elated to receive this recognition as a trade union leader who has worked at improving the lives of workers."
Mr. Hargrove said he has always been passionate about social justice issues. Most recently a dinner held in his honour raised about $3 million for Eva's Initiatives, a Toronto-based charity that works with at-risk youth.
The Governor General of Canada's website said Mr. Hargrove is being honoured for his "contributions as a labour leader who is respected on both sides of the bargaining table and for his advocacy for equality and human rights in Canada and abroad."
The Order of Canada was established in 1967. The award is given to those who achieve and serve in a myriad of fields. It's Canada's highest civilian honour for lifetime achievement.
Appointments are made on the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Order of Canada, an independent council chaired by the chief justice of Canada. Groups or individuals can nominate any Canadian for appointment to the Order.
Mr. Hargrove will retire as the head of the CAW in 2009. He said he has no plans yet for what he will do after he ends his career.
Latest News
Dead Pickering bird ends West Nile seasonDURHAM -- A dead bird found in Pickering is the latest to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV).The crow was picked up on Sept. 2 and was the eighth bird in Durham in ...
Gas leak evacuates 10 Pickering homesPICKERING -- A gas leak on Sheppard Avenue in Pickering Thursday afternoon caused residents to evacuate their homes for more than five hours, a City official said.Everett ...
Relief for westbound commuters on Hwy. 401DURHAM REGION -- Two lanes of the westbound 401 collectors at the Don Valley Parkway have re-opened for the morning rush hour commute, however, the exit ramp to the DVP/404 on...
Top Prospects Game likely coming to OshawaOSHAWA -- It appears furious negotiations this week will see the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game land in Oshawa. David Branch, commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League and ...
GM sales plummet in AugustDURHAM -- General Motors of Canada's sales plummeted in August, with tiny cars from other brands seeing big increases in sales. GM's car sales were down 19 per cent and truck ...
Mutton auditor charged by professional bodyCLARINGTON -- The accountant who conducted the audit into former Clarington Mayor John Mutton's expenses has been charged by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of ...
Repatriation ceremony on Saturday eveningDURHAM -- The latest repatriation ceremony is scheduled to come through Durham Region early Saturday evening. Three Canadian soldiers were killed and five others were injured ...
Teen beaten, robbed at house partyAJAX -- More than 20 charges have been laid against an Ajax teen after a violent robbery at a house party that saw a victim pistol-whipped. Officers seized drugs and guns, ...
Westbound 401 collectors at DVP remain closed for evening commuteDURHAM REGION -- Toronto-bound commuters will face delays on the westbound 401 at the DVP as the cleanup continues in the wake of a fiery early morning crash. A ...
Longtime Ajax teacher dies DURHAM -- After 19 years, Lester B. Pearson Public School has been forced to say goodbye to longtime teacher Larry Shortt. The Grade 6 teacher, who was 56, died Aug...