150+ Canadians Who Contributed To Peace FULL LIST

Join us in celebrating 150+ wonderful Canadians who’ve helped contribute to peace!


 

John Humphrey contributed to peace by co-authoring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Read the full profile here.


UN Peacekeeping Operations contribute to peace through efforts to bring about an end to international conflicts around the world. Read the full profile here.


Idle No More contributes to peace by asserting Indigenous rights, Nation to Nation treaties, and protecting the land and water. Read the full profile here.


Viola Irene Desmond contributed to peace by fighting racial discrimination in Nova Scotia. Read the full profile here.


Walter Seymour Allward (d. April 24, 1955) contributed to peace through his design of the famous Vimy Monument in France. Read the full profile here.


Jack Sissons contributed to peace by incorporating Inuit tradition into his work in the Court of the Northwest Territories. Read the full profile here.


Eva Marszewski contributed to peace through efforts promoting a restorative approach to preventing and addressing youth conflicts. Read the full profile here.


We Are One Canada contributes to peace by teaching Canadian children words in Arabic to welcome Syrian refugees to our country. Read the full profile here.


Louise Arbour contributed to peace by her work in the field of justice, bringing justice for those maltreated by their governments. Read the full profile here.


The Trans-Canada Trail (now also being promoted as “The Great Trail”) and the countless people who are helping to make it happen contributes to peace by connecting Canadians to each other and to the natural landscape. Read the full profile here.


Canada’s Refugee Policy contributes to peace by welcoming the world’s displaced, especially those fleeing war and persecution. Read the full profile here.


Mary Ann Shadd Cary (d. 1893), an American-Canadian, contributed to peace by her anti-slavery activism. Read the full profile here.


Ernie Coombs (aka“Mr. Dressup”) contributed to peace by teaching generations how to be humble, considerate and peaceful. Read the full profile here.


The Canadian Flag contributes to peace as a symbol that demonstrates how democratic means can promote a peaceful nation. Read the full profile here.


Wilbert Loewen contributed to peace by playing a vital role in the establishment of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). Read the full profile here.


Canada’s Peace Movements contribute to peace by calling us to lives of non-violence, actively promoting the quest for peace. Read the full profile here.

Cairine Reay Mackay Wilson contributed to peace by her advocacy for women and refugees. Read the full profile here.


Dr. Norman Bethune (d.1939), contributed to peace by his humanitarian medical work, particularly in conflict zones. Read the full profile here.

The Special Olympics contributes to peace by its celebration of the value, worth and intrinsic dignity of all peoples. Read the full profile here.


Christian Peacemaker Teams contribute to peace by challenging violence in the world through personal witness in conflict zones. Read the full profile here.

Cindy Blackstock contributes to peace by fighting discrimination against First Nations children in the Child Welfare System. Read the full profile here.


Mobeenuddin Hassan Khaja contributed to peace by fostering understanding between faiths through inter-religious dialogue. Read the full profile here.


Tommy Douglas contributed to peace by establishing universal health care in the Province of Saskatchewan. Read the full profile here.


The CBC/Radio Canada and NFB contribute to peace through the fostering of national unity through informative programming. Read the full profile here.


Deborah Ellis contributed to peace as an author, peace activist, advocate and supporter of the disenfranchised. Read the full profile here.


Innocence Canada contributes to peace by working to exonerate those convicted of crimes they did not commit. Read the full profile here.


Buffy Sainte-Marie contributes to peace through her artistic and educational activities, advocating for human rights and against war. Read the full profile here.


Pierre Allard contributed to peace by building capacity for victims and offenders heal through restorative justice. Read the full profile here.


 

Emily Carr contributed to peace through her iconic landscape art as well as her popularization of indigenous art. Read the full profile here.


Alan Borovoy contributed to peace by advocating for human rights and against discrimination. Read the full profile here.


Rosemarie Kuptana contributed to peace by advocating for the recognition of Inuit self government. Read the full profile here.


The abolition of the Death Penalty contributed to peace by recognizing that execution is inappropriate, irrevocable, and often committed in error. Read the full profile here.


Douglas Roche contributed to peace by his articulate and consistent call for disarmament. Read the full profile here.


Historians like Margaret MacMillan, Desmond Morton, Arthur Manuel contributed to peace by making our shared histories more accessible. Read the full profile here.


Stephen Lewis contributes to peace by being an early climate change activist and with his advocacy for those affected by HIV/Aids. Read the full profile here.


Father Bob Ogle (1929 – 1998) contributed to peace by seeking to uncover the injustices of our world and doing something about them. Read the full profile here.


Ernie Regehr contributed to peace by studying war and peace since the 1960s, and, in 1976, founding, with Murray Thompson, Project Ploughshares, which is based in Waterloo, Ontario. Read the full profile here.


Dedicated to the many who contributed to peace by resisting slavery and arguing for anti-slavery legislation. Read the full profile here.


Lester B. Pearson contributed to peace by laying the conceptual framework for UN Peacekeeping during the Suez Crisis. Read the full profile here.


Peter Gzowski contributed to peace as a journalist, connecting Canadians to each other with his characteristic curiosity and warmth in his interviews. Read the full profile here.


Sheila Watt-Cloutier contributed to peace as an advocate for the environmental and human rights of Inuit around the globe. Read the full profile here.


Mary Two Axe Early contributed to peace by campaigning for equal rights for Indigenous women. Read the full profile here.


Dan Heap contributed to peace by tirelessly campaigning for social justice, against war, poverty and homelessness. Read the full profile here.


Mary Gordon contributed to peace by creating Roots of Empathy, which teaches empathy through regular classroom visits from a baby and parent. Read the full profile here.


James Woodsworth contributed to peace by going to great lengths for workers’ rights, social justice, and peace. Read the full profile here.


Sally Armstrong contributes to peace through her work as a journalist and human/women’s rights advocate. Read the full profile here.


Social Assistance contributes to peace by being a support to reduce the impact of poverty for many Canadians. Read the full profile here.


Agnes Macphail championed women’s rights, prison reform, seniors’ pensions and gender equality. Read the full profile here.


Chief Dr. Robert Joseph contributes to peace by working for reconciliation and healing between all Canadians. Read the full profile here.


Formal apologies contribute to peace by recognizing injustices caused by government actions, and helps victims to heal. Read the full profile here.


Naomi Alboim contributes to peace as an advocate for refugees and co-founder of Lifeline Syria. Read the full profile here.


Moses Coady contributed to peace by improving the lives of others through adult education and cooperatives. Read the full profile here.


Athlete Advocates, like Fox, Hansen, Keith, Hughes, & Kennedy, contribute to peace through advocacy. Read the full profile here.


Dr. Ursula Franklin contributed to peace in her work for disarmament, social justice, science policy and human rights. Read the full profile here.


Judah Ourdshoorn contributes to peace through working to end male violence through trauma-informed restorative justice. Read the full profile here.


Katimavik contributes to peace by building connections and understanding between youth from coast to coast to coast. Read the full profile here.


Catherine Doherty contributed to peace by devoting her life to working for social justice and the poor. Read the full profile here.


Multiculturalism contributes to peace as a beacon which policy and culture can move towards. Read the full profile here.


Rick Mercer contributes to peace by challenging & inspiring Canadians through political satire, and social justice activism. Read the full profile here.


Lloyd Axworthy contributed to peace through campaigning to ban landmines while Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his work today for equality and human rights. Read the full profile here.


Mary Jo Leddy contributes to peace through her work with refugees in the human rights and peace movements. Read the full profile here.


Chris Hadfield contributed to peace by showing us how connected we all are on planet earth, from his post on the International Space Station. Read the full profile here.


Jean Augustine, trail blazed as first black woman in the House of Commons. Today, she contributes to peace through strong advocacy for social justice. Read the full profile here.


Roméo contributed to peace by advocating for a greater UN response to the Rwandan genocide and against use of child soldiers. Read the full profile here.


Sister Dr. Rosalie Bertell contributed to peace through her writing and speaking about the dangers of radiation. Read the full profile here.


Michelle Landsberg contributes to peace as one of the first journalists to address sexual harassment in the workplace. Read the full profile here.


Operation Dismantle contributed to peace by advocating for nuclear disarmament. Read the full profile here.


Peter Dhillon contributes to peace through his humanitarian work, particularly the organization Right to Play. Read the full profile here.


Lewisporte, Newfoundland contributed to peace by hosting stranded Americans after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Read the full profile here.


Reverend Dr. Lois Wilson has contributed to peace through her global work for the protection and promotion of human rights. Read the full profile here.


YMCA Peace Week contributes to peace by annually celebrating and recognizing local contributors to peace. Read the full profile here.


Muriel Duckworth contributed to peace through her activism for peace and advocacy for housing, planning and social assistance. Read the full profile here.


Chief Dan George contributed to peace by speaking up for Indigenous equality during his acting career. Read the full profile here.


Mother Earth Water Walkers contribute to peace in their active witness to all people’s dependency on clean water. Read the full profile here.


The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms contributes to peace as a big step towards ensuring basic rights & freedoms for all. Read the full profile here.


War Artists and Photographers contribute to peace through their creation of evocative images which challenge our thinking about war. Read the full profile here.


Gwynne Dyer contributes to peace as a writer, historian and film maker, focusing on war, climate change and international relations. Read the full profile here.


Avram “Avi” David Lewis contributes to peace through his work as an activist,  broadcaster and documentary film producer. Read the full profile here.


Dr. Jennie Trout contributed to peace by pioneering the advancement of women in the field of medicine in Canada. Read the full profile here.


Climate Activists contribute to peace through their advocacy and action on behalf of the planet and all living things. Read the full profile here.


Ryan Hreljac contributes to peace as founder of Ryan’s Well which provides potable water to communities in need. Read the full profile here.


The John Howard and Elizabeth Fry Societies contribute to peace by advocating for prison reform and providing services to prisoners. Read the full profile here.


John Pearson, architect, contributed to peace through his design of the iconic Peace Tower in the centre block of Canada’s parliament buildings. Read the full profile here.


Rosemary Brown, MPP contributed to peace through her advocacy work for the black community and women everywhere. Read the full profile here.


Historic Peace Churches have contributed to peace through their consistent stance against violence and war. Read the full profile here.


Bertha Wilson contributed to peace with her imaginative and humane legal decisions in judicial cases involving human rights. Read the full profile here.


Laurie Davey-Quantick contributes to peace through her activism and humanitarian work on behalf of children in Uganda. Read the full profile here.


The Great Law of Peace contributed to peace as core principle of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which has and will influence policies for generations to come. Read the full profile here.


Raffi Cavoukian contributes to peace by honouring children & encouraging adults to do so, too. Read the full profile here.


Dr. Elizabeth Bagshaw worked outside the law to establish the first Birth Control Clinic in Canada. Read the full profile here.


Canada’s Disaster Assistance Response Team contributes to peace by providing shelter, first aid, water & food to victims of disaster. Read the full profile here.


Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier contributed to peace through championing national unity through political compromise. Read the full profile here.


Maurice Strong contributed to peace as a leader in global discussions on environmental protection, particularly at the United Nations. Read the full profile here.


Dr. Jean Chamberlain Froese contributes to peace with her work on maternal health in East Africa. Read the full profile here.


Cyrus Eaton, a banker- philanthropist, contributed to peace by sponsoring and organizing Pugwash Conferences on World Peace. Read the full profile here.


Naomi Klein, activist, author and filmmaker contributed to peace by influencing mainstream discussion of capitalism and globalization. Read the full profile here.


Antonine Maillet contributed to peace by chronicling the expulsion of Acadians in 1735 in The Great Upheaval. Read the full profile here.


Non Governmental Organizations contribute to peace by addressing education, poverty, equality, and environmental concerns around the world. Read the full profile here.


Nisga’a Nation contributed to peace by creating a blueprint for land settlements and First Nation self-governance in Canada. Read the full profile here.


Sister Peggy Flanagan wrote both poetry and challenging letters to the editor and parliamentarians about issues of war and peace. Read the full profile here.


Ginger Goodwin contributed to peace as a conscientious objector who advocated for labour rights through peaceful means. Read the full profile here.


The legalization of same sex marriage in Canada granted a basic human right to same sex couples. Read the full profile here.


Wallace Edwards contributed to peace by writing and illustrating the book “What is Peace?“. Read the full profile here.


Nellie McClung, feminist, author, politician and social activist, contributed to peace by obtaining the vote for settler women. Read the full profile here.


Harold Cardinal contributed to peace by advocating for radical changes in policies affecting First Nations in Canada. Read the full profile here.


Dr. John Geddes contributed to peace by founding CanAssist Africa, a charity that funds small infrastructure projects in East Africa. Read the full profile here.


Canada’s Gardening professionals provide inspiration and elbow grease to make public spaces beautiful. Read the full profile here.


Rabbi Arthur Bielfeld contributes to peace by working passionately to improve conditions for those living in poor social conditions. Read the full profile here.


National and Provincial Parks contribute to bring an appreciation of natural beauty to Canadians and international visitors. Read the full profile here.


Rosemary McCarney contributed to peace through international development initiatives to end gender inequality and children out of poverty. Read the full profile here.


Roy Akira Miki, contributed to peace by writing and speaking out against injustice particularly the internment of Japanese Canadians. Read the full profile here.


Jim Harding and his father, Bill Harding, contributed to peace by opposing uranium mining for weapons. Read the full profile here.


PeaceQuest Regina contributes to peace by strengthening peace & disarmament culture in Saskatchewan. Read the full profile here.


Tomb of the Unknown Soldier contributes to peace by serving as a reminder to the tragedy of war and how necessary it is to maintain peace so that others don’t die in war. Read the full profile here.


Bruce Cockburn contributes to peace by writing and performing powerful songs advocating for a more peaceful and just world. Read the full profile here.


Roy Bonisteel contributed to peace by reporting on religion on CBC TV’s Man Alive as “Canada’s Humanities Teacher.” Read the full profile here.


Human Rights Commissions in Canada protect the basic right of Canadians to be free from discrimination and harassment. Read the full profile here.


Dr. James Orbinski, physician, writer, and humanitarian, contributes to peace with his on-going commitment to medical humanitarianism. Read the full profile here.


The Honourable Len Marchand contributed to peace through his work in federal politics, particularly promoting the need for land settlements with Canada’s First Nations. Read the full profile here.


The Honourable Flora MacDonald (1926 – 2015) contributed to peace as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and then as an international humanitarian, working primarily with women in Afghanistan. Read the full profile here.


Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys contributed to peace by providing education to girls, the poor, and indigenous peoples in New France. Read the full profile here.


The Canadian Voice of Women for Peace contributes to peace by opposing violence and war. Read the full profile here.


Dr. Samantha Nutt contributes to peace through her work with War Child Canada which she established to help children in war zones around the world. Read the full profile here.


The Canadian Peace Congress contributes to peace by advocating and working for world peace and disarmament. Read the full profile here.


Maude Barlow contributes to peace through her advocacy work on the right to clean water. Read the full profile here.


Justice Rosalie Abella contributed to peace by doing groundbreaking work for equality in the Supreme Court of Canada. Read the full profile here.


Steve Paikin contributes to peace as a journalist with a concern for justice and a life-long commitment to informing the public. Read the full profile here.


Jean Vanier contributes to peace by creating inclusive communities for people with disabilities. Read the full profile here.


Craig & Marc Kielburger contribute to peace through their organizations which empower young people to get involved to change the world. Read the full profile here.


Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East contributes to peace by helping people harmed by conditions in the Middle East. Read the full profile here.


Dr. Gordon Edwards contributes to peace through his lifelong efforts to expose the risks of nuclear weaponry and radioactive waste. Read the full profile here.


Hazar Mahayni contributes to peace by providing schooling to refugee children in Turkey. Read the full profile here.


Madeleine Parent contributed to peace as a union organizer and pacifist who fought for social justice in Quebec and Canada. Read the full profile here.


Dwyer Sullivan contributes to peace as an educator and advocate for an end to military spending on war. Read the full profile here.


Animals used for therapy and their handlers contribute to peace by providing affection, comfort, and healing. Read the full profile here.


Faith Nolan contributes to peace by singing and empowering others to sing. Read the full profile here.


Dr. Alex Bryans contributed to peace by working for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Read the full profile here.


Roch Carrier contributes to peace by writing about the effects of war. Read the full profile here.


Alice Chown contributed to peace by advocating for women’s rights and pacifism before and during WWI. Read the full profile here.


Gregory Baum contributes to peace by prompting interfaith dialogue to build understanding among all faith communities. Read the full profile here.


Linda Dale contributes to peace by using art to amplify the voices of children affected by war. Read the full profile here.


Setsuko Thurlow contributes to peace by speaking out against nuclear war. Read the full profile here.


Museums contribute to peace by educating people on the lessons learned from wars the value of peace. Read the full profile here.


Debra Lefebvre contributes to peace by working to stop the spread of malaria. Read the full profile here.


Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada contributes to peace by lobbying for federally-funded, quality childcare for all children in Canada. Read the full profile here.


The War Resisters Support Campaign contributes to peace by providing assistance to people who refuse to go to war because of their deeply-held beliefs. Read the full profile here.


Mel Hurtig contributed to peace by living a life of activism with a passion for Canada. Read the full profile here.


The Nova Scotia Mass Choir contributes to peace by spreading a message of diversity and harmony through song. Read the full profile here.


Thérèse Casgrain contributed to peace by campaigning for women’s rights in Québec. Read the full profile here.


The Truth & Reconciliation Commission contributed to peace by providing a basic roadmap for Canadians to follow to begin the process of reconciliation with the wider Indigenous community. Read the full profile here.


The Honorable Murray Thomson contributed to peace by working tirelessly for disarmament and social justice for seventy years. Read the full profile here.


On February 1 of this year, PeaceQuest announced its Canada 150 project, an ambitious effort to post on social media brief biographies of Canadians who, over the decades, have made a contribution to making Canada, if not the world, a more peaceful place.

At the same time, we invited YOU to get involved by suggesting other people who have done the same … and you have responded! Read the full profile here.


Thank you for joining us in this project and enriching the conversation.