Ten Nova Scotians Named to Province’s Highest Honour

Ten people have been appointed to the 2026 Order of Nova Scotia, the province’s highest honour.

Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage announced the new members on August 14. The group includes musicians, artists, educators, legal leaders, advocates and public servants whose work has shaped communities across the province.

2026 recipients

• Robert Bennett of New Glasgow
• Wadih Fares of Halifax
• Dr. John Hamm of Stellarton, appointed posthumously
• Barb Hamilton-Hinch of Dartmouth
• L. Jane McMillan of Antigonish
• Matt Minglewood of Glace Bay
• Lynn Murphy of Halifax
• Judge Corrine Sparks of Dartmouth
• Alan Syliboy of Millbrook
• Shelly Whitman of Black Point

Their work spans inclusion for people with diverse abilities, economic development, healthcare, education, human rights, Indigenous culture, children’s rights and the arts.

The recipients will receive their insignia and appointment scrolls during an investiture ceremony at Government House in Halifax this fall.

The Order of Nova Scotia was created in 2001. A total of 146 members had been invested before this year’s appointments. Recent legislative changes increased the maximum number of annual appointments to ten.

Read the announcement and recipient details.