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Jim Gordon named to Order of Canada

James (Jim) Gordon, Sudbury's longest serving mayor, has been made a Member of the Order of Canada for his long-standing contributions to the economic and social development of the city of Sudbury.
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Former mayor Jim Gordon was named one of the Alumni of the Century by Assumption University of Windsor. Gordon, left, was presented his award by Rev. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., President of Assumption University, a federated college of the University of Windsor. Supplied photo.
James (Jim) Gordon, Sudbury's longest serving mayor, has been made a Member of the Order of Canada for his long-standing contributions to the economic and social development of the city of Sudbury.

Governor General David Johnston announced 95 new appointments to the Order of Canada Friday. The new appointees included three Companions, 13 officers and 79 members.

Gordon was the first mayor of the City of Greater Sudbury. He was born in Noranda, Que. in 1937, and raised in Espanola. He moved to Sudbury in the 1960s. A dedicated teacher, Gordon was first elected to Sudbury Council in 1971. He was elected mayor in 1976.

Gordon served as mayor until 1981 when he ran as the Progressive Conservative provincial candidate in Sudbury Riding.

He was succesfully elected to represent Sudbury at Queen‘s Park, where he served as a backbencher under Premier Bill Davis. He was later promoted to cabinet as minister of Government Services in 1985. Gordon’s only electoral defeat was in 1987 when he lost his job at Queen’s Park to Liberal Sterling Campbell.

He returned to public office in 1991. Gordon was elected mayor of Sudbury and held that post until 2000. That year, the City of Sudbury and the Regional Municipality of Sudbury were amalgamated into the newly formed City of Greater Sudbury. Gordon was elected mayor of the new amalgamated city in 2000 and served until his retirement from politics in 2003.

Gordon’s legacy includes the building of Science North, the diversification of the region’s mining industry, increased retail expansion, and the establishment of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Members of the Order of Canada are nominated and Membership is awarded to those who exemplify Order’s motto: They strive for a better country.

Established in 1967, the Order of Canada is one of the country's highest civilian honours and it recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the country. Over the last 45 years, more than 6 000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.

The three levels of the order are companion, officer and member.

The recipients will be invited to accept their insignia at a ceremony. The date of the ceremony will be announced later.

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