Established in 2023, the King Charles III Coronation Medal honours Nova Scotians who have demonstrated dedication to their professions and the well-being of not only Canada but also the province. Photo by CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentEight Cape Bretoners whose significant contributions have brought benefit or honour to Canada, as well as to the province of Nova Scotia, have received King Charles III Coronation Medals.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentSydney-Glace Bay MP Mike Kelloway awarded the medals on July 8 to the eight individuals: Dr. Carol Ann Critchley, Nicole Forgeron-MacArthur, Alison Giles, Rochelle Heudes, Keith MacDonald, Ian McNeil, Paul Ratchford and Brian Shaw, who were first announced as recipients by the Governor General’s office on June 20.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“Our community is home to so many outstanding individuals who give their time, talent, and heart in service to others,” Kelloway said in a statement. “It’s a true honour to recognize their contributions with the King Charles III Coronation Medal. The spirit of service runs deep in Cape Breton.”Article contentAmong the more notable recipients:Article content• Critchley is a family physician in Sydney. She works in obstetrics, assists in the operating room, and is a general practitioner in oncology at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital’s cancer centre. Last year, she was bestowed with Canadian Medical Association Honorary Membership Award in recognition of her more than 45-year career as a family physician, according to Doctors Nova Scotia.Article content• Forgeron-MacArthur, along with her husband Mike MacArthur, created Caleb’s Courage in honour of their son, Caleb, who died in 2015 at three years old from a rare childhood cancer. A renovated pediatric palliative oncology room (called Caleb’s Superhero Suite) at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital was dedicated in his memory in 2017. And since Caleb’s passing, Forgeron-MacArthur has been the driving force behind Caleb’s Courage — a legacy fund in memory of her son. Donors have included EverWind Fuels, an independent green hydrogen developer, which last December fundraised $164,581.05 as a result of the 11th annual auction and golf tournament in Baddeck.Article contentArticle content• Heudes was a Liberal candidate in the Nov. 26, 2024 provincial election for the Richmond riding (ultimately won by Trevor Boudreau, the Progressive Conservative incumbent and now the province’s energy minister). According to her social media candidate profile, Heudes dedicated moret than 30 years to the Canadian Armed Forces, and after retiring from the Regular Force, she returned to her hometown of Petit-de-Grat. She now serves as the human resources co-ordinator for the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) and also holds community leadership positions.Article content• MacDonald is currently chief administrative officer for Inverness County, a role he has held since late February 2018. Before then, the Mabou native served as president and chief executive of the Cape Breton Partnership between 2007 and 2018. He began as one of the first three employees of the organization, initially hired as general manager before becoming president and CEO. During his tenure, the partnership grew from a small organization to a significant economic development catalyst for Cape Breton. He was also involved in various other community and economic development initiatives on the island.
Eight Cape Bretoners bestowed with King Charles III Coronation Medal honours
