Buffy Sainte‑Marie Removed from Order of Canada

Summary#

The Canada Gazette announced that the appointment of Buffy Sainte-Marie to the Order of Canada was terminated by an ordinance signed by the Governor General on January 3, 2025. The termination was published in the Gazette on February 8, 2025, with the notice signed by Ken MacKillop, Secretary General of the Order of Canada.

What it does#

• Removes Buffy Sainte-Marie from the Order of Canada, meaning she is no longer listed as a holder of that honour.
• Records that the removal came through an ordinance signed by the Governor General on January 3, 2025.
• Publicly notifies the change by publishing it in the Canada Gazette on February 8, 2025.

Who's affected#

• Directly: Buffy Sainte-Marie, whose appointment was ended.
• Indirectly: people who follow national honours (fans, media, historians) and the broader community around the Order of Canada.
• The Gazette notice does not say whether anyone else or any organizations are affected.

Why it matters#

• The Order of Canada is one of the country’s highest civilian honours, so removing someone is a notable, symbolic action.
• This change affects public records and how Buffy Sainte-Marie will be listed in official honours and historical references.
• The Canada Gazette notice does not give a reason for the termination, so questions about why it happened may be followed up by news outlets or official statements.