Three outstanding members of  the Caribbean community in Ontario  were among 23 persons  who were invested into the Order of  Ontario by Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, at a ceremony at Queen ‘s  Park on Tuesday.

In picture (from left) are Michael Lee-Chin, Myrtha Lapierre and Dr. Upton Allen.

Lee Chin, an entrepreneur and philanthropist with major business interests  in Jamaica and Dr. Allen, an internationally recognized paediatrician,  were both born in Jamaica. Lapierre, a retired nursing professor, is a native of Haiti.

The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest honour.

The Lieutenant Governor told the new members of the Order of Ontario that they are ” leading by example.

“In a time when it is all too easy to be pessimistic about the state of the world, you have courageously and enthusiastically taken an active interest in making your corner of the world a little better. More than ever, we need your brilliance, your generosity of spirit, your compassion and commitment. ”

Speaking after the ceremony, Lee Chin said ” honours are like the scoreboard but my focus has to be on the playing field.

” Sometimes you get these honours and you say, wow, I was just doing what I’m passionate about and you keep doing what you’re passionate about and over time you’re recognized.”

Dr. Allen  said he hoped that the honour he received  ” will inspire not just my children, but others from the community, particularly the African Canadian and Caribbean community.”