Clark Blaise, author, teacher and founder of the post-graduate program in creative writing at Concordia University has been appointed as Officer of the Order of Canada.

He is one of a dozen Montrealers to be named to the Order of Canada, announced on the weekend by Governor General Michaëlle Jean.

Jean announced a total of 57 new appointments, including musicians Neil Young and Burton Cummings, former New Democratic Party leader Alexa McDonough, former Manitoba Premier Gary Filmon, former Nova Scotia Premier John F. Hamm and Running Room founder John Stanton.

The Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation. Over the past 40 years, more than 5,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.

For more information, visit the Governor General of Canada website.

Posted on January 4, 2010