The Order of Manitoba was established to recognize Manitobans whose demonstrated excellence and achievement have benefited the social, cultural or economic well-being of the province and its residents.

Lt.-Gov. Janice C. Filmon, chancellor of the order, presided over the investiture of the 12 new members whose achievements encompassed a broad range of endeavours and accomplishments: 

Chad Allan: "a rock music icon, for his contributions to the Canadian music industry including the pivotal role he played in the creation of two legendary Winnipeg rock bands: The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive" -- was a  2015 recipient of the Order.

Other recipients were Rachel Alao, Karen Beaudin, Tom Cochrane, Dian Cohen, Wilma Derksen, Dan Johnson, Sheldon Kennedy, Donald R. J. Mackey, Mitch Podolak, Monica Khhem Kamarie Singh, and Jonathan Toews.

“The women and men to be invested into the Order of Manitoba in 2015 demonstrate the power of a single individual in encouraging positive change locally, nationally, and globally. I am delighted and humbled to preside over the induction of these 12 inspiring leaders,” said Lt.-Gov. Filmon.

Appointments are made by the chancellor on the recommendations of a nine-member advisory council. Once invested, members will receive the insignia of the order and are entitled to use the initials O.M. after their names for life. Members’ names are also on permanent display on a plaque located on the second floor of the Legislative Building.

The 2015 ceremony, the 16th in the order’s history, brings to 210 the total number of members named to the Order of Manitoba since its inception in 1999. 

Chad and John Einarson 
at Chad's induction into the Order of Manitoba
As the then-Chair of the Order of Manitoba Advisory Council which recommended him for the award, I had the good fortune to be with him in the prep area before he got his medal. He was humble and genuine and seemed really moved to be recognized formally for his outstanding contribution to our province. Everyone there were making sure to have their pictures taken with him. 

Quite simply, without Chad Allan there would have been no Guess Who and thus no Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Burton Cummings may have remained a local phenom as might guitarist Kurt Winter, Greg Leskiw, Donnie McDougall and bassist Bill Wallace. Without the Guess Who there would have been no Mood Jga Jga, no Crowcuss and no Kilowatt. The list goes on. Despite not reveling in the wealth and fame of his two former bands, Chad Allan was a king maker and a key figure in Canadian rock 'n' roll's evolution to world class status. In 2015, he was made a member of the Order of Manitoba "for his contributions to the Canadian music industry including the pivotal role he played in the creation of two legendary Winnipeg rock bands: The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive." Neil Young sent a laudatory note acknowledging Chad's role in inspiring his own career.

~John Einarson

Message from Neil Young on the occasion of 
Chad Allan's receiving The Order of Manitoba in 2015,
read out at the ceremony.

Congratulations Allan, on this long overdue recognition. Your contribution to Winnipeg and Canadian rock and roll history is huge! You have been a huge inspiration to me since the early days of Allan and the Silvertones.

I stood on the floor looking up at you, Randy and Jimmy as you led the Silvertones through many great Winnipeg appearances, forever influencing me.

Thanks Allan and everyone in the Silvertones! You Rock!

Neil Young