September, 2, 2025
To:
The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C.
Chief Justice of Canada
Chair, Advisory Council for the Order of Canada
Office of the Secretary to the Governor General
Rideau Hall
Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: Growing Call for Revocation of Mr. Mohamad Fakih’s Order of Canada Appointment
Dear Chief Justice Wagner and Members of the Advisory Council,
As former Parliamentarians who have served Canadians from across the political spectrum and across this vast country, we write to reaffirm our request for a formal review of Mr. Mohamad Fakih’s appointment to the Order of Canada. Since our original letter, the momentum behind this call has only grown, and it speaks not to division, but to a deeply held commitment among Canadians to the principles of dignity, respect, and unity.
In just a matter of days, over 11,500 Canadians have joined our petition to defend Canadian values and protect the credibility of one of our nation’s highest honours. Notably, 20 additional former Parliamentarians representing various parties and regions have also lent their names to this call on our petition. We are encouraged by this broad, principled consensus and believe it reflects a desire among Canadians to ensure that honours bestowed by the Crown remain above reproach.
We remain grateful for your consideration of this matter and trust that you and the Advisory Council will approach it with the integrity and impartiality the role demands. We continue to believe that Mr. Fakih’s public statements, particularly those which undermine the belonging and humanity of fellow citizens, have brought the Order’s standing into disrepute. Canadians are watching closely and asking that this institution remain a symbol of what brings us together, not what drives us apart.
Respectfully,
Hon. Mike Harcourt, OC
Former Premier of British Columbia
Hon. Stockwell Day, PC
Leader, Official Opposition
Former Federal and Alberta Provincial Cabinet Minister
Hon. Dominic Cardy
Former New Brunswick Cabinet Minister
Chris Collins
Former Speaker New Brunswick Legislative Assembly
Hon. Mike de Jong
Former British Columbia Cabinet Minister
Jason Dearborn
Former Saskatchewan Member of the Legislative Assembly
Hon. Jonathan Denis
Former Alberta Cabinet Minister
Michelle Ferreri
Former Member of Parliament
Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay, PC
Former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament
Brian Fitzpatrick
Former Member of Parliament
Hon. Jamie Fox
Former Prince Edward Island Cabinet Minister
Hon. Linda Frum
Former Senator
Goldie Ghamari
Former Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament
Hon. Nancy Greene, OC
Former Senator
Hon. Jay Hill, PC
Former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament
Hon. Whitney Issik
Former Alberta Cabinet Minister
Hon. Marlene Jennings
Former Parliamentary Secretary and Member of Parliament
Damien Kurek
Former Member of Parliament
Michael Lee
Former British Columbia Member of the Legislative Assembly
Hon. Lisa MacLeod
Former Ontario Cabinet Minister
Hon. Dan McTeague
Former Parliamentary Secretary and Member of Parliament
Rick Perkins
Former Member of Parliament
Hon. Selina Robinson
Former British Columbia Cabinet Minister
Hon. Laura Ross
Former Saskatchewan Cabinet Minister
Nelly Shin
Former Member of Parliament
Peter Shurman
Former Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament
Hon. Monte Solberg, PC
Former Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament
Don Stewart
Former Member of Parliament
Hon. Moira Stilwell
Former British Columbia,Cabinet Minister
David Sweet
Former Member of Parliament
Kevin Vuong
Former Member of Parliament
Jeff Watson
Former Member of Parliament
Jeff Wilson
Former Alberta Member of the Legislative Assembly
Date: August 29, 2025
To:
The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C.
Chief Justice of Canada
Chair, Advisory Council for the Order of Canada
Office of the Secretary to the Governor General
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1
Subject: Formal Request for the Revocation of Mr. Mohamad Fakih’s Appointment to the Order of Canada
Dear Chief Justice Wagner and Members of the Advisory Council,
As former Canadian Parliamentarians and current advocates for the values that bind our nation together (peace, order, and good government) we write to you today not in haste or in anger, but with principled concern and deep conviction. We respectfully call upon the Advisory Council of the Order of Canada to initiate a formal review and revocation of Mr. Mohamad Fakih’s appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada, pursuant to the criteria established under the Chancellery of Honours.
On or around August 2025, Mr. Fakih, a public figure and recipient of the Order, posted a message on social media that stated:
“On behalf of literally every Canadian of conscience: if you are a Canadian and a supporter of Israel, you do not have basic human values, let alone Canadian values.”
These words are not simply divisive they are a direct assault on the dignity and belonging of millions of Canadians. This sweeping denunciation of individuals based on their support for a democratic ally, their political views, or their religious or cultural identity undermines the inclusive spirit of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It contradicts our most sacred civic ideals, and in our view, brings disrepute to the honour of the Order itself.
The Order of Canada’s motto, “They desire a better country,” calls on us to rise above discord, prejudice, and hate. It is not a platform to speak in the name of “every Canadian of conscience” while denying the conscience and citizenship of others. It is a commitment to unity, moral courage, and dignity values we believe Mr. Fakih’s words have fundamentally betrayed.
This is not a partisan matter. It is a non-political, values-driven concern about preserving the integrity of Canada’s highest civilian honours. Just as previous appointees have had their honours revoked for fraud, hate speech, or dishonourable conduct, we believe the comments made by Mr. Fakih meet the threshold for such consideration.
We therefore respectfully request the Advisory Council:
1. To conduct a formal review of Mr. Fakih’s appointment in light of his public statements;
2. To evaluate whether his conduct constitutes dishonour or is inconsistent with the reasons for which the honour was conferred;
3. To recommend revocation of his appointment to the Governor General, should the Council find that Mr. Fakih’s conduct violates the expectations of the Order and its standing in Canadian public life.
In this moment of rising antisemitism, violent polarization, and global uncertainty, Canada must reaffirm its values, not merely with words, but with courageous and principled action. The Order of Canada must remain a symbol of who we are at our best: united, respectful, diverse, and unwavering in the face of hatred.
We thank you for your serious consideration of this matter. As former elected officials who have sworn oaths to uphold the Constitution and protect all Canadians, we offer this letter as a call for accountability and to uphold the values that bind our country together.
Respectfully,
Hon. Lisa MacLeod
Former Ontario Cabinet Minister
Hon. Selina Robinson
Former British Columbia Cabinet Minister
Kevin Vuong
Former Member of Parliament