1978 Vanier Cup Champion QB Dr. Jim Rutka appointed an officer to the Order of Canada

OTTAWA—His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, announced today 100 new appointments to the Order of Canada. The new appointees include 2 Companions (C.C.), 11 Officers (O.C.) and 87 Members (C.M.). These appointments were made on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.

OFFICERS OF THE ORDER OF CANADA

James Thomas Rutka, O.C., O.Ont.

Toronto, Ontario

For his contributions to advancing treatment for pediatric brain tumours and for his international leadership in neurosurgery.

Rutka was the Gaels quarterback in 1978 when the team defeated the UBC Thunderbirds 16-11 at Varsity Stadium for their second Vanier Cup championship. Rutka holds the Gaels all-time record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback with 308, he was drafted in the 3rd round, 26th overall in the 1979 CFL draft by the Montreal Alouettes. In 1995 he was elected to the Queen's Football Hall of Fame.

Rutka's clinical practice is at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He is currently the R.S. McLaughlin Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto, Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Neurosurgery, and the Director of the Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre.

His clinical and research interests focus on brain tumours in children and the surgical treatment of epilepsy in children.

Recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony to be held at a later date.

The Order of Canada, one of our country's highest civilian honours, was established in 1967, during Canada's centennial year, to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Over the last 45 years, more than 6 000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.

For more information on the Canadian Honours System, please consult our website atwww.gg.ca/honours.