In recognition of her tireless work as an accessibility advocate and as a journalist and author shedding light on important issues including her own challenges living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and ovarian cancer, and her medical assistance in dying (MAiD) journey, Stratford’s Diane Sims will soon be appointed as a member of the Order of Canada.
Sims, who is living with end-stage MS and just released her unflinching autobiography, “Living Beyond the Shadow,” learned she would be appointed as a member of the Order of Canada as part of the 2024 cohort of recipients back in October, but was told she had to keep the news quiet until it was officially announced by the governor general on Dec. 18, 2024.
“It was 9:30 a.m. one morning and I was in the middle of my morning routine which, as you know, is very rough. I was lying on the bed and the home phone rang long distance. It’s always scams, but I answered it and I’m so glad I did,” Sims laughed. “Immediately, this voice said … ‘I’m calling from the governor general’s office for Diane Sims.’ I had it on speaker and my support worker was hanging over me and grabbed her mouth, and I could see tears starting in her eyes. I said, ‘I’m Diane Sims,’ and she said ‘You’re to receive the Order of Canada.’ ”
While Sims knew a friend of hers, Val Critchley, had tried unsuccessfully to nominate her for the Order of Ontario nearly two years prior and another family friend, Jim Mitchell, had instead worked with Critchley and Sims’ former publisher at the Manitoulin Express newspaper, Rick McCutcheon, to nominate her for the Order of Canada shortly after that, she said she had never heard anything more about it and had dismissed it as something that wasn’t going to happen, making the phone call in October a complete surprise.
As it turns out, staff from the governor general’s office spent those two years meticulously vetting Sims – as they do with all Order of Canada nominees – to ensure she was worthy of honouring. According to Sims, every organization and individual mentioned in Sims’ nomination letters – from those who worked with Sims in her MS, ovarian cancer and accessibility advocacy to those she worked alongside as a journalist and writer – was contacted during that time.
The day after the news broke that Sims would receive the Order of Canada, she hosted a celebration at her home in Stratford with family, friends and colleagues.
“I am both incredibly honoured and extremely humbled,” Sims said of the honour. “ … I’m surprised, delighted and extremely humbled. I look at the list of names of people who are honoured and I am so humbled to be among those names. It’s a phenomenal group.
“ … I feel heard. I feel heard. I guess I feel somebody was listening.”
Last month, Canadian Governor General Mary Simon announced 88 new appointments to the Order of Canada, including one companion, 24 officers and 63 members. Three appointments are promotions within the order.
The Order of Canada is the cornerstone of the Canadian Honours System. Thanks to nominators across the country, it has celebrated the outstanding achievements and wide-ranging contributions of over 8,000 people since its creation in 1967.
“Members of the Order of Canada are builders of hope for a better future,” Simon said in a press release. “Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries. Thank you for your perseverance, fearless leadership and visionary spirit, and welcome to the Order of Canada.”
Though a date for the official Order of Canada appointment ceremony has not yet been announced, Sims says she plans to travel to the ceremony in Ottawa to receive the honour in person.
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