Former Chretien chief of staff dies

Jean Pelletier, one of former prime minister Jean Chretien's closest confidants and a focal point of the Gomery commission, has died in Quebec City at the age of 73.

Jean Pelletier died Saturday morning at the Maison Michel-Sarrazin, a hospice for cancer patients in the final stages of their disease.

Before he died, the former mayor of Quebec City was visited by friends and family, along with current mayor Regis Labeaume and Chretien, his old colleague.

Pelletier was a well-known figure in the provincial capital, which UNESCO recognized as a world heritage site under his leadership.

But while he had many successes during his political career, the one-time journalist became a well-known national figure during the federal sponsorship scandal.

The former Chretien chief-of-staff was criticized by retired judge John Gomery, who conducted a probe into the scandal in which ad agencies were paid large sums by the Liberal government for little or no work.

Justice Gomery said that Jean Pelletier and Jean Chretien bore some responsibility for the scandal, but in the summer of 2008, a federal court struck down the finding. His friend Eddie Goldenberg told The Canadian Press that the decision was a "total vindication" for Pelletier and Chretien.

Jean Pelletier also went to court after former prime minister Paul Martin fired him from his job as head of Via Rail in 2004. He was let go after he called Olympic gold-medal winner Myriam Bedard a "pitiful" single mother and attention-seeker after she alleged there were ties between Via and the sponsorship scandal.

Pelletier apologized for his remarks. He also sued Ottawa for the dismissal and for damage to his reputation. In November of 2007, he was awarded more than $335,000 in moral damages.

Political analysts at one time described Pelletier as one of Canada's most powerful men.

Observers described him as an elegant and polite man, who could also be dictatorial. Friends and foes alike said he had an iron fist in a velvet glove, earning him the nicknames the "elegant executioner" and "velvet executioner."

He was an officer of the Order of Canada and the Order of Quebec. He was also a commander of France's Legion of Honour.

"Jean Pelletier was a man of great integrity who served his city, his province and his country with enormous dedication and integrity all of his life," said Goldenberg.

Pelletier is survived by his wife Helene and their two children, Jean and Marie.

Hall of Fame selection would net O'Ree hat trick of honours

Willie O'Ree already has New Brunswick's highest honour, He has been selected to receive The Order of Canada, Canada's highest honour, Now the man who broke hockey's colour barrier 50 years ago has his eye on the sport's highest honour.

After being named by Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean on Tuesday to the Order of Canada, the soft-spoken O'Ree was asked about any future goals.

"I'd like to get into the Hockey Hall of Fame. And I think if I do I think it will be through the work that I am doing now with the diversity program," O'Ree said.

O'Ree was recognized by the Governor General for his "pioneering contributions to the development of professional hockey, and for his tireless dedication to promoting the sport to minority youth in Canada and the United States."

O'Ree was 22 when he pulled on a Boston Bruins jersey on Jan. 18, 1958.

He played for Boston extensively in the 1960-61 season, scoring his first goal on New Year's Day in 1961. He would record four goals and 10 assists in 45 games with playing with Boston.

Those aren't the prolific scoring statistics that normally open the door to hockey's shrine. Even O'Ree acknowledged that any trip to the Hall of Fame will likely come because of his contribution to the sport over the decades since he's hung up his skates.

O'Ree is the director of youth development for the National Hockey League's diversity program. In the decade since he took the job, the league says he has helped introduce 40,000 kids from diverse backgrounds to hockey.

"I only played 45 games in the NHL and breaking the colour barrier was a moment that I will never forget," he said.

But he also points to his work "over the past 10 years with the diversity program, going out and talking to these boys and girls, not only helping them with hockey skills but life skills, helping them set goals for themselves and working towards their goals and believing in yourself."

The Hockey Hall of Fame stipulates for election into the elite group as a player, an individual must have concluded a career as an active player for a minimum of three playing seasons. In the builder category, a person can be selected to the hall of fame for "coaching, managerial or executive ability, sportsmanship, character and their contribution to their organizations and to the game of hockey in general."

Gary Bettman, the NHL's commissioner, issued a statement on Tuesday that praised O'Ree's appointment to the Order of Canada and his contribution to hockey in the last half century.

"For more than 50 years, Willie has been a pioneer to the game of hockey. As a player, he paved the way for countless others to play the game of hockey," Bettman said.

"As director of youth development, he continues to provide opportunity to youth. I cannot think of a more deserving individual to receive this award and a better ambassador for Canada and the game of hockey.”

In O'Ree's hometown of Fredericton, many of his friends were celebrating his latest accomplishment.

John Mazzuca grew up with O'Ree, playing shinny with the hockey legend on local rivers.

Mazzuca said O'Ree was always a gifted athlete in any sport he suited up for, but he said giving back to the community has always been a top priority for his friend. And Mazzuca said it's obvious that children are inspired by O'Ree.

"He works hard with the children and he wants to make a future for them," he said. "When he talks, they just sit there and listen, you don't hear a pin drop."

Willie O'Ree named to the Order of Canada

Sixty Canadians were appointed the Order of Canada on Tuesday, including two of Canada's most famous singers, a former deputy prime minister and the NHL's first black player.

Fredericton,Ontario native Willie O'Ree made his professional hockey debut with the Boston Bruins on Jan. 18, 1958, and was the first black player to play in the NHL.

The 73-year-old became a Member of the Order of Canada on Tuesday, along with 41 others.

Sometimes referred to as "The Jackie Robinson of Hockey" for breaking the NHL color barrier, O'Ree was inducted "for his pioneering contributions to the development of professional hockey and for his tireless dedication to promoting the sport to minority youth in Canada and the Untied States," according to a release on the Governor General's website.

After O'Ree, there were no other black player in the NHL until fellow Canadian Mike Marson was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 1974. There are 17 black players in the NHL as of the mid-2000s, the most prominent including Canadians Jarome Iginla and Anson Carter and American Mike Grier (who is currently on the San Jose Sharks).

Retired Liberal senator Allan MacEachen, 87, was one of 14 Canadians awarded the Officer of the Order of Canada -- the second-highest level of recognition within the Order of Canada.

MacEachen, who is also a former deputy prime minister, was recognized "for his highly distinguished career of public service, notably as a long-serving senator and as a cabinet minister, where he played key roles in instituting important changes to national health, pension and social security policies."

His Trudeau-era colleague and fellow cabinet minister Iona Campagnolo, 76, was also awarded the Officer of the Order of Canada "for her contributions to her province and to the nation as a former lieutenant governor, member of Parliament and cabinet minister, and for her continued work and dedication as a volunteer, notably in the areas of human rights and the environment."

Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion and famed tenor Ben Heppner each were awarded the Companion of the Order of Canada -- the highest level of membership that can be awarded to any Canadian.

Dion was recognized for "having won over audiences worldwide with her extraordinary talent as a pop singer, and for her commitment to numerous humanitarian causes at the national and international levels."

And Heppner received the award "for his continued role as a premier musical ambassador for Canada, who has reached the pinnacle of his profession and who is equally renowned for his generosity of spirit as for his abilities as a tenor."

Investors Stephen Jarislowsky and Peter Munk also became Companions of the Order of Canada, each being recognized for their philanthropic efforts.

In total, 60 new appointments to the Order of Canada were made on Tuesday, including four Companions, 14 Officers and 42 Members.