For the last ten years, I have been tracking the diversity of Order of Canada appointments, from the perspective of gender, visible minorities and Indigenous peoples, along with regional and occupational backgrounds. In many ways, these appointments are emblematic of other recognition and award programs in that they generally reflect the views and perspectives of those nominating and, in the case of the Order, a medium and longer-term track record and contribution in contrast to awards programs focussed on new and emerging talent. In many ways, this results in an understandable backward looking perspective. Moreover, unlike employment equity programs where managers are empowered to factor diversity in hiring and promotion decisions, awards programs have less latitude to do so as they have to make their assessments based upon the nominations received. The Governor General's Office has over the years made several attempts to encourage more diverse nominations, including funding under the Conservative Government in 2015 to encourage more nominations for more business and regional nominees. The data suggests that these efforts had limited effect in the longer term. The most striking findings of this analysis are that women appointees average around one third of the total, ranging from a low of 29 percent (2019, 2022) to a high of 46 percent in 2015 and visible minority appointees have increased from a low of 4 percent in 2014 to an exceptional high of 13 percent in 2021 before reverting to a more typical 7 percent. The two groups that are over-represented in comparison of their share of the population are men and, more recently, Indigenous peoples in 2021 and 2022 at eight percent. Of note, while visible minority appointments are 71 percent men, Indigenous peoples appointments are equally balanced between men and women.

1. Order of Canada Diversity
Working Deck
2013-22 Appointments
Andrew Grif
fi
th
15%
30%
45%
60%
Women Visible minorities Indigenous peoples
8.5%
7.4%
28.6%
5.4%
6.1%
35.1%
5%
26.5%
51%
2021 Census 2013-21 Average 2022

2. Overall Diversity
Order of Canada 2013-22
13%
25%
38%
50%
Women Visible minorities Indigenous peoples
8.5%
7.4%
28.6%
4.9%
4.9%
32.9%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

3. Order of Canada Diversity
2021 Population, 2013-21 Average, 2022
15%
30%
45%
60%
Women Visible minorities Indigenous peoples
8.5%
7.4%
28.6%
5.4%
6.1%
35.1%
5%
26.5%
51%
2021 Census 2013-21 Average 2022

4. Background De
fi
nitions
Some ambiguities (e.g., academic, activist)
Background Description
Arts
Creators and performers, as well as promoters of the arts. A broad
interpretation of the arts is used, including designers.
Business
Business also includes lawyers who have established legal
fi
rms, crown
corporations and credit unions.
Health
All aspects of health and healthcare: science, research, delivery, pharmacy
etc.
Public service
Former politicians, government of
fi
cials, as well of those who have
contributed to public policy.
Activist
Advocates and activists. Lawyers whose main focus is on societal change
are categorized as activists.
Science All sciences including math. Health science categorized under health
Academic
All non-science, non-health areas of study and research, mainly social
sciences. Includes university administrators.
Communications
Journalists and others whose prime focus is on imparting information and
knowledge.
Philanthropy
Those whose focus has been on lifelong giving and fundraising. Former
business people are categorized in business.
Sport Athletes, coaches, sportcasters etc.

5. Appointments by Background
25%
50%
75%
100%
Total 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
10.6%
6.7%
12.6%
4.4%
7.8%
8%
8.5%
8.3%
8.8%
10.4%
8.1%
3.7%
14.1%
8.6%
12.8%
11.2%
10.9%
3.3%
8.9%
7.2%
6.7%
8.8%
6.9%
20%
5.7%
9.9%
9.2%
17.4%
8.1%
7.7%
7.7%
11%
9.7%
13.3%
12.6%
13.1%
11.8%
8.7%
7.5%
17.1%
14.8%
8.8%
7.3%
10.9%
18.6%
10.4%
16.6%
11.3%
16.5%
12.4%
10%
14.8%
20.4%
9.8%
13.6%
6.4%
9.6%
16%
12.3%
13.6%
12.9%
15.6%
13.6%
15.5%
11.6%
13.5%
26%
18%
19%
25%
19%
32%
22%
25%
24%
29%
24%
Arts Business Health Public service Activist
Science Academic Communications Philanthropy Sport

6. Appointments by Background
2013-21 Average Compared to 2022
25%
50%
75%
100%
2013-21 2022
10.6%
8.4%
3.7%
9.2%
6.9%
10.6%
13.3%
11.3%
18.6%
13.6%
6.4%
13.4%
26%
24%
Arts Business Health Public service Activist
Science Academic Communications Philanthropy Sport

7. Appointments by Rank
2013-22 Total 1,863
1,365
400
57
Companion
Of
fi
cer
Member

8. Order of Canada by Rank
1,863 Appointments 2013-22
10%
20%
30%
40%
Companion Of
fi
cer Member
4.9%
7.2%
12.3%
5.3%
7.8%
3.5%
35.5%
31.8%
31.6%
Women Visible minorities Indigenous

9. Order Diversity
Comparison by Rank—2013-17, 2018-22
10%
20%
30%
40%
Companion Of
fi
cer Member
4.5%
10%
22.4%
4.9%
5.5%
0%
6.3%
12.2%
0%
4.3%
6.2%
7.5%
32.4%
37.6%
24%
39%
27.8%
32.9%
Women 2013-17 Women 2018-22 VisMin 2013-17
VisMin 2018-22 Ind 2013-17 Ind 2018-22

10. Order of Canada by Province
Compared to Population Census 2021
BC
Prairies
Ontario
Quebec
Atlantic
North
-13% 0% 13% 25% 38% 50%
1.9%
3.1%
-5.2%
2.3%
-3.4%
-0.8%
0.8%
1.4%
-1.7%
5.6%
-4.7%
-1.4%
0.3%
6.5%
23.0%
38.5%
18.2%
13.5%
1.2%
7.8%
21.4%
44.2%
13.4%
11.9%
Overall 2021 Population
2013-22 Over/Under Representation 2022 Over/Under Representation

11. Andrew Grif
fi
th
Email: agrif
fi
th232@gmail.com
Twitter: @andrew_grif
fi
th
LinkedIn: andrewlgrif
fi
th
Facebook: Andrew Grif
fi
th C&M
Blog: www.multiculturalmeanderings.wordpress.com
Books: lulu.com