Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has publicly backed the nomination of Don Cherry for the Order of Canada, the nation’s highest civilian honour and has called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to lend his support to the effort.
In a post on X on Saturday, Smith urged Carney to join what she described as millions of Canadians who believe the 92-year-old hockey icon deserves the recognition. Smith opened her framed the matter as one beyond debate:
“It’s time for Prime Minister @MarkJCarney to join me and millions of our fellow Canadians in supporting the appointment of Don Cherry to the Order of Canada, one of our nation’s highest honours.”
The Alberta Premier went on to make her case for Cherry’s place in the national consciousness arguing his influence on Canadian hockey culture alone sets him apart. Smith also cited Cherry’s decades of work honouring Canada’s military as a defining part of his legacy and the heart of the argument for the honour:
“This shouldn’t even be up for debate. Don Cherry is a Canadian icon, a hockey legend and is loved by Albertans. He’s not just one of the greats, his word and opinion about our national sport is still treated as hockey gospel by millions of Canadians.”
“His contributions to Canadian sport and culture are undeniable, and the work he did to honour our nation’s veterans was an invaluable contribution to our country. He will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Canadians. So, put the puck in the net and give Grapes the recognition he deserves.”
Smith’s post follows Conservative MP Andrew Lawton’s announcement earlier this week that he had formally submitted Cherry’s name for the honour and launched an online petition gathering signatures in support. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre also backed the push writing on X that Cherry “embodies what it means to be a proud Canadian.” Ontario MPs Jamil Jivani and Billy Morin have since added their names to the petition as well.
Don Cherry’s Order of Canada nomination petition has faced significant pushback from Quebec
However, opposition to the nomination has been mounting among the party’s Quebec members who have broken openly with their leader over the push. Luc Berthold, MP for Mégantic-L’Érable-Lotbinière, was among the most direct in his criticism.
Writing on social media in French, Berthold argued that the nomination conflates fame with merit and that approving it would come at a cost to the honour’s credibility:
“Many Quebecers who have accomplished extraordinary things, particularly in the regions, deserve this honour far more than this commentator. And their successes are not the result of controversial remarks. Popularity is not a criterion when it comes to honouring Canadians for their achievements.”
Berthold added that awarding Cherry the Order would “irreparably discredit” all previous recipients. He was not alone. Conservative MP Gérard Deltell said Cherry had made “unacceptable and contemptuous” remarks toward “francophones, among others.” Éric Lefebvre argued the nation’s highest civilian honour should go to those who embody inclusion, respect and unity and that appointing Cherry would send “the opposite message.”
Cheery was appointed to the Order of Ontario as one of 30 inductees named this year with Ontario Premier Doug Ford visiting him personally following the announcement. He spent more than three decades as the outspoken host of CBC’s Coach’s Corner though his tenure was not without controversy.
In 2013, he faced backlash for saying female reporters should not be allowed in NHL dressing rooms. He was ultimately dismissed by Sportsnet in November 2019 after calling immigrants “you people” and suggesting that not enough new Canadians honoured fallen soldiers by wearing poppies. CBC described his remarks as “divisive, discriminatory and offensive.” Cherry stood by his comments at the time telling The Canadian Press he was not singling out visible minorities.
Edited by Anjum Rajonno
