Manitoulin Transport founder Doug Smith finally received the Order of Canada at a ceremony last week at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
The 75-year-old Gore Bay trucking magnate was one of 47 recipients honoured Dec. 12. Others included Walter Gretzky and former Reform Party leader Preston Manning. Smith was recognized for his contributions as a business leader, philanthropist and champion of economic development for Northern Ontario.
As chairman of the Manitoulin Group of Companies, he is recognized by his industry peers as a pioneer and innovator in Canada's trucking community.
Smith, who stills work daily at the company's Manitoulin Island head office, had known since November 2007 of the upcoming ceremony hosted by Governor General Michaelle Jean.
Established in 1953 as a family wholesaler grocery, the company's interests spread to trucking it was renamed Manitoulin Group of Companies, which include 65 terminals and 2000 workers across Canada.
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