The iconic snowflake insignia is awarded to Order of Canada recipients. In the mid-year announcement by Governor General Louise Arbour, Donald K. Johnson was among those elevated to Companion, the Order’s highest level.
A longtime friend of UHN, visionary philanthropist, and legendary Bay Street investment banker has been named a Companion of the Order of Canada – the highest level within the country’s top civilian honour.
Donald K. Johnson is among 61 new appointments to the Order of Canada announced by Governor General Louise Arbour, and one of just four Canadians elevated to Companion this round, alongside actor Michael J. Fox, soccer legend Christine Sinclair, and scientist Lewis Kay.
At UHN, Johnson’s name is inseparable from vision care. Since 1986, he and his late wife, Anna McCowan-Johnson, championed the fight against vision loss at Toronto Western Hospital, building what is now the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute into one of the largest and most comprehensive clinical eye programs in North America. Vision research and care have remained his primary philanthropic focus for nearly four decades – a commitment matched by few donors in Canadian healthcare. His cumulative giving to the Institute exceeds $65 million, including a landmark $50-million gift made to mark his 86th birthday – the largest donation of its kind in Canada dedicated to a vision program. He has also served on the UHN Foundation Board for more than two decades.
“Don Johnson’s extraordinary commitment to UHN has transformed vision care in Canada and made an immeasurable difference in the lives of so many,” said Julie Quenneville, CEO of UHN Foundation. “His unwavering commitment to the power of philanthropy has built the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute into one of North America’s leading clinical eye programs. His generosity, leadership and more than two decades of service on the UHN Foundation Board have created a legacy that will endure for generations. Being named a Companion of the Order of Canada is a fitting and well-deserved recognition of his remarkable contributions to health care, to UHN, and to our country.”
Beyond UHN, the citation recognizes Johnson for having strengthened healthcare, business education and the arts through transformative philanthropy and leadership, pointing to his major gifts to the Ivey Business School and leading cultural institutions, alongside his ongoing advocacy to remove capital gains tax on charitable gifts to increase donations nationwide.
This is a promotion within the Order. Johnson was first appointed a Member in 2005 and promoted to Officer in 2009 for his role in helping change federal tax law to eliminate capital gains tax on gifts of publicly traded securities to charity. This change has been credited with unlocking more than a billion dollars a year in new giving across Canada.
Johnson has said his philosophy of giving is simple: it’s better to give with a warm hand than a cold one.
The Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Since its creation in 1967, nearly 8,800 people from all sectors of society have been appointed to or promoted within the Order. Representing the pinnacle of the honour, there are no more than 180 living Companions at any given time.
“Don’s support has totally changed the vision research landscape in Canada,” said Dr. Valerie Wallace, Co-Director of the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute and holder of the Donald K. Johnson Chair in Vision Research. “With his transformative gifts, the impact will be global and the legacy long-lasting.”
Johnson will be invited to accept his insignia at a ceremony in Ottawa at a later date.
