A total of seven York community members are among the 29 new appointments to the Order of Ontario announced by The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario on Jan. 1.
The Order of Ontario is one of the province’s highest civilian honours. It recognizes exceptional leaders from all walks of life who have demonstrated the highest level of excellence and achievement in their fields and whose impact and legacy have contributed to building a stronger province, country and world.
Order of Ontario Appointees
Hon. Todd L. Archibald (LLM ’86), alumnus, Osgoode
Retired Justice Todd Archibald has dedicated four decades to helping parties achieve solutions to their most challenging disputes. The Honourable Archibald was a Crown Prosecutor, a litigation partner with one of Canada’s premier law firms and for over 20 years a trial judge of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Today, he draws on his unique perspectives and experiences as a Chartered mediator and arbitrator, helping parties resolve issues that separate them, restore and rebuild important relationships.
Rudolph Bratty (LLB ’57), alumnus, Osgoode
Rudolph Bratty is a lawyer, real estate developer and philanthropist. He is also the founding partner of Brattys LLP and the founder of The Remington Group. He is recognized as the “man who built Toronto” for his contributions to the development of residential communities, commercial properties and retail centres in the Greater Toronto Area. One of his notable achievements is the award-winning Downtown Markham project, which revitalized the area, bringing in 10,000 residents and 16,000 employees. In 2020, York University received a transformational $10 million gift from The R.P. Bratty Family Foundation to support the development of the University’s Markham campus.
Brian Gover, former adjunct professor
Brian Gover is one of Canada’s leading trial lawyers, skilled in criminal, civil, regulatory, and Indigenous law. He has led complex prosecutions, argued numerous appeals, and secured notable acquittals, including ORNGE. He has advised superior court judges on the Indian Residential Schools settlement and represented First Nations in significant litigation involving the Robinson-Superior Treaty. He has served as commission counsel for high-profile public inquiries, including the Walkerton inquiry and the inquiry into the bombing of Air India Flight 182. He has also served as adjunct faculty at Osgoode Hall Law School. Gover has helped shape the next generation of lawyers, and public interest organizations, enhancing access to justice and Ontario’s justice system generally.
Mina Mawani (BCom ’96), alumna, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Mina Mawani is a distinguished leader, advocate for inclusion, equity and social justice and CEO of Dixon Hall, a multi-service non-profit agency creating lasting solutions to end poverty, social injustices and isolation in Toronto’s Downtown East. Her legacy is one of service and dedication to improving the lives of Ontario’s most marginalized and vulnerable communities. Mawani has also shared her extensive knowledge as adjunct faculty at the Schulich School of Business. Her achievements have been honoured through several awards including recognition from Bold Vision for being one of the most influential women leaders and visionaries in Canada.
Jeanne-Lucille Pattison (BA ’75), alumna, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Jeanne-Lucille Pattison is recognized for her curatorial expertise and influence across Ontario and around the world. She was also a driving force behind the prominence of various reputable Ontario painters, notably the Canadian Shield, the Group of Seven and First Nations painters like Norval Morrisseau. Through her lectures and tours, she brought Inuit and First Nations culture and artistic achievements to Ontario. Pattison also contributed to the transformation of the McMichael Gallery into a vibrant cultural hub.
Poonam Puri, faculty
Poonam Puri is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar, professor and York research chair. Puri co-founded Canada’s first investor protection clinic, a clinic that provides pro bono legal assistance to individuals who have suffered financial harm. Appointed to Osgoode Hall Law School over 25 years ago, she has served as both associate dean and associate dean, research, graduate studies and institutional relations at Osgoode. She is also the founder and director of the Business Law program at Osgoode Professional Development. Her highly influential scholarship has guided significant policy reforms and shaped governance best practices globally.
Walied Soliman, (LLB ’01), alumnus, Osgoode
Walied Soliman is a prominent lawyer, philanthropist, Canadian Chair of Norton Rose Fulbright and board chair of the SickKids Hospital Foundation. Soliman advises companies on shareholder activism, corporate governance, high-stakes mergers and acquisitions and restructuring. In 2020, he was commissioned by the Ontario government to chair the Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce. In 2019, Soliman was named by the United Nations Association in Canada as its Global Citizen Laureate for his professional merit.
For more information about the Order of Ontario program and to view the full list of appointments, visit: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005526/province-honours-2024-order-of-ontario-appointees.