Legendary Sudbury labour leader to receive one of Canada's highest civilian honours
Sudbury-born Leo Gerard will be invested this week as a companion Order of Canada.
Gerard, 77, rose to become the International President of the United Steelworkers (USW). His appointment was announced last year, but he will formally receive the honour at a ceremony Oct. 3 from Governor General Mary Simon.
"Leo Gerard is one of the most influential labour leaders in modern history," said a news release Tuesday from Simon's office.
"Working his way from shop steward to president of United Steelworkers International, he advocated for workers’ rights, global solidarity, fair trade and social justice, while also making labour a partner with environmental organizations. He helped create Workers Uniting, the largest international union, and was a driving force behind IndustriALL Global Union, which supports millions of workers and their families worldwide."
"I am honoured and overwhelmed to be appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada," Gerard said in a USW news release when his appointment was first announced.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"I want to acknowledge the undeniable fact that this tremendous honour deserves to be shared by so many others, from my family to the members of my great union, to the countless other labour, social justice and political activists whom I was privileged to work alongside for five decades."
Leo Gerard is one of four people to receive the companion honour, while 22 officers and 30 members will be invested this week at the ceremony at Rideau Hall. (Supplied)
"Under Gerard’s leadership, the USW grew as a force to be reckoned with at bargaining tables and in politics," the union's news release said.
"A determined and irrepressible voice for working people everywhere, he was widely sought out as a media commentator on labour, economic, political and trade issues."
He retired in 2019 after serving 18 years as USW International President.
Gerard is one of four people to receive the companion honour, while 22 officers and 30 members will be invested this week at the ceremony at Rideau Hall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard found not guilty of sexual assault
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
Following child's death in Ontario, here's what you need to know about rabies
An Ontario child died last month after coming into contact with a rabid bat in their bedroom, which was the first known human rabies case in Canada since 2019.
NDP house leader laments 'agents of chaos' in precarious Parliament
NDP House leader Peter Julian says there's more his party wants to do in Parliament before the next election, but if the current dysfunction continues it will become a factor in how they vote on a confidence measure.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building in Old Montreal early Friday morning, sources told Noovo Info.