Two Mississauga residents, longtime hockey broadcaster Don Cherry and communications executive Ahmad Attia, have been named to the Order of Ontario.
Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont, who serves as chancellor of the order, announced 30 new appointments for 2025 on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The appointees will be formally invested at a ceremony in Toronto later this year.
A familiar voice in hockey
Cherry, 92, coached the Boston Bruins before becoming one of the best-known voices on Hockey Night in Canada through its Coach's Corner segment. The province's citation also points to his charity work, including support for the military and police, youth sports and animal welfare through Don Cherry's Pet Rescue Foundation. He founded Rose Cherry's Home for Kids and is a longtime advocate for organ donation.
His ties to Mississauga go beyond his address. In the late 1990s he helped bring junior hockey to the city as a part-owner of the IceDogs, and he coached the team in 2001-02, his final season with the club, INsauga reported.
Cherry's broadcasting career has also drawn controversy. Sportsnet fired him in 2019 after on-air remarks that appeared to blame newcomers to Canada for not wearing poppies on Remembrance Day. He later hosted the Grapevine podcast with his son Tim; its last episode came out in June 2025.
The citation also notes that Cherry was ranked seventh in CBC's The Greatest Canadian in 2004.
Public affairs and community boards
Attia is chief executive officer of Gestalt Communications, where he advises governments and non-governmental organizations, including humanitarian and civil society groups, on governance, accountability, humanitarian diplomacy and countering disinformation, according to the province.
Closer to home, the citation highlights his board service with Trillium Health Partners, which runs Credit Valley Hospital and Mississauga Hospital, as well as with Human Rights Watch Canada and the Peel Police Services Board. He is also a recipient of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award.
I dedicate this great honour to my late father, Dr. El-Tantawy Attia, who devoted his life to strengthening communities and public institutions across this province.
— Ahmad Attia, in a statement reported by INsauga
Attia said he would mark the appointment by supporting his mother's fundraiser to rebuild the Muneeba Centre, run by Deen Support Services, as a permanent, accessible home in Mississauga for young Muslims with disabilities.
Others honoured
Other Greater Toronto Area appointees include Toronto International Film Festival chief executive Cameron Bailey, diplomat and business leader David MacNaughton and broadcaster Tracy Moore.
The Order of Ontario recognizes people whose service and achievements have helped build a stronger province and country. The province said 933 people have been appointed since the order was created in 1986.
Anyone can nominate someone for the order. Nominations for 2026 are open until Tuesday, March 31, and appointments are made on the advice of an independent advisory council.
