Ex-NHLer, child abuse advocate Sheldon Kennedy joins Order of Canada

OTTAWA — One of Canada’s most vocal advocates of child abuse is among 95 new admissions and promotions to the Order of Canada being announced today.

Former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy says being the recipient of one of the country’s top honours can serve as a beacon to lead countless other children out of the darkness of child abuse.

He says he’s not doing the work to win awards but because he understands the damage the crime has on kids.

Others being granted the honour include musicians and humanitarians Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida, former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney and Brenda Clark, the illustrator behind the popular children’s book series Franklin the Turtle.

The Order of Canada was established in 1967, the country’s centennial year, to recognize “outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation.”

More than 6,000 Canadians from all walks of life have been invested with the Order since then.