Governor General To Present Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) to Ted van der Zalm

OTTAWA—His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will present the Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) to 45 recipients from various sectors across the country on Friday, November 25, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., during a ceremony at Rideau Hall. On this occasion, the Governor General will present 14 Meritorious Service Crosses and 31 Meritorious Service Medals.

The Meritorious Service Decorations were established to recognize the extraordinary people who make Canada proud. Their acts are often innovative, set an example or model for others to follow, or respond to a particular challenge faced by a community. The best candidates are those who inspire others through their motivation to find solutions to specific and pressing needs or provide an important service to their community or country. For more information visit www.merit.gg.ca.

Meritorious Service Medal 

Theodore van der Zalm, M.S.M.
St. Catharines, Ontario

In 2004, Ted van der Zalm founded Wells of Hope to provide underserved areas in Guatemala with access to clean water, education and basic health care. Thanks to his commitment and compassion, more than 50 000 people in the communities of Jalapa and Jutiapa now have access to 12 new wells, 15 new schools and dental care. What is more, hundreds of Canadians have joined the Wells of Hope Mission Experience volunteer program to help people in developing countries.

To read the full list of recipients and the news release, please visit Governor General Canada website