Tony Arrell made member of Order of Canada
Tony Arrell has been made a member of the Order of Canada.
The Toronto resident and Mulmur farmer was recognized for his achievements in the investment industry and for his contributions to strengthening public institutions in his community.
Canada’s Governor General David Johnston announced Dec. 30, 100 new appointments to the Order of Canada including three companions, 22 officers and 75 members.
“I am delighted to recognize these new recipients of the Order of Canada in this milestone year,” said Johnston in a news release. “Besides marking Canada’s 150th anniversary, 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the Order. So let’s be inspired by the examples set by these remarkable Canadians and use this occasion to build a smarter and more caring country in which every individual can succeed to the greatest extent possible.”
Arrell received a phone call from the governor general in December informing him that he had been selected to receive the award and the lapel pin arrived in the mail on Jan. 3 but recipients will be invited to officially accept their insignia at an upcoming ceremony.
“I feel very flattered to get this. I am pleased and a little bit surprised and I have always thought people should try to help other people. That’s the way to have a more civil society,” said Arrell.
Arrell is chairman and CEO of Burgundy Asset Management in Toronto and former director of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Investment Dealers Association.
He has also been director of many companies and is recognized for bringing his business acumen to the charities he supports, namely his involvement in the St. Michael’s Hospital and its Foundation. Most recently he co-chaired the $210 million Inspire 2018 campaign, which promises to transform patient care at St. Michael’s.
He is also a strong supporter, along with his wife Anne, of the Canadian Opera Company and Cystic Fibrosis Canada, after losing a child to the disease.
Working with his mentor George Gardiner, he helped establish the Gardiner Museum of ceramics and continues to support his alma maters, the University of Guelph and the Schulich School of Business at York University.
Arrell is a supporter of RAY’s Place and the Creemore Log Cabin locally, among other causes.
“I have been very fortunate in business, I have co-founded and developed a really strong company at Burgundy. We have helped a lot of people and organizations that are non-profit to build up their endowment funds,” said Arrell. “It is a very important part of our business both in Canada and the United States. I am very proud of those business achievements and success in business in part has enabled me to do other things. Heading my own business has given me perhaps more flexibility than most people would have.”
Arrell said he grew up in a family that valued community service. His mother was a social worker and his father was involved in juvenile and family court and children’s aid, both were involved in the Second World War.
“I grew up thinking if you were successful, you should help other people and I have always kept that in mind, even when I wasn’t so successful,” said Arrell.
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada, one of Canada’s highest civilian honours, recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Close to 7,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and have taken to heart the motto of the Order: They desire a better country. Appointments are made by the governor general on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada.
Contributed photo: Tony Arrell takes people on a wagon ride at his Mulmur farm on Burgundy Asset Management’s 2014 family day.
