An OVC alumnus has been appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.
Dr. Norman Willis OVC ’63 was honoured for his leadership in veterinary science and his contributions to the development of national research centres that study disease vectors between animals and humans. The former executive director of the Canadian Council on Animal Care, Willis was among 86 new appointments to the Order of Canada announced by Governor General David Johnston on June 30. Among the honourees were astronaut Chris Hadfield, filmmaker David Cronenberg and comedian Rick Mercer.
Dr. Norman Willis
Willis is a highly respected consultant in the private and public sectors and a renowned authority on the prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases. He is a lifetime honorary president of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) — having served a full term as vice president and president from 1997 to 2000 — and is the only North American to lead that organization since its founding in 1924.
He has also held leadership roles with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and served as Canada’s chief veterinary officer for nine years. In the late 1980s, Willis played a key role in the design and construction of Canada’s first and only Containment Level 4 (CL 4) laboratory complex — the highest level of biocontainment and security — at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health in Winnipeg. He also served as its first executive director.
Willis has also represented Canada on the world stage, participating in agricultural trade talks between Canada, Japan, China and other Asia-Pacific nations. His work has been recognized nationally and internationally with numerous awards, including the Carl Block Award from the Canadian Animal Health Coalition in 2005, and the Gold Medal for meritorious service to the OIE in 2007.