Rev. Hawkes Receives Order Of Canada

Rev. Brent Hawkes, the Toronto minister who conducted the marriage ceremonies that led to same-sex marriage being legalized nationwide, has been awarded his country's highest civilian honor, the Order of Canada. Hawkes has been a minister at Toronto's MCC for 30 years. In 2001, Hawkes won his suit against the Ontario government, forcing the province to recognize gay marriages. One year later the federal government ditched its plan to appeal Hawkes' case and gay marriage became legal nationwide in 2005. The Order of Canada is given in the name of Queen Elizabeth by her representative there and recognizes "exemplary achievement and service to Canada." Hawkes has won numerous other awards for his humanitarian and civil rights work.