Bennett, Fipke and Soon of Kelowna to be appointed to Order of Canada

Among 42 people to be appointed or promoted to higher levels of the Order of Canada this Thursday will be three Kelowna men.

The Order is one of Canada’s highest honours and comes at three levels, Companion, Officer and Member.

The three Kelowna Members will be Brad Bennett, Charles Fipke and Howard Soon.

Bennett is described in a news release from the Governor General’s office, as “a committed philanthropist” who “optimizes generosity.”

He is the son of former Premier Bill Bennett and grandson of former Premier W.A.C. Bennett but has focused on the family’s business, McIntosh Properties, rather than politics.

He is currently on the board of UBC Properties Trust that lists his past and present service in positions such as Chairman of B.C. Hydro as well as serving on the boards of Kelowna General Hospital Foundation and Rotary Centre for the Arts Building Committee. He is a member of the B.C. Business Laureates Hall of Fame Cabinet and was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service in 2012. In 2011, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from UBC and was given the Order of British Columbia in 2010.

“For decades, he has nurtured the Okanagan Valley’s technological, medical and educational fields,” the Governor General’s press release said. “A wearer of many hats, he was involved in numerous national and provincial boards, notably as chair of Mitacs and chair of the University of British Columbia’s board of governors, where he played a key role in the creation of the UBC Okanagan satellite campus.”

Charles Fipke is a geologist and prospector who “has been at the forefront of heavy mineral exploration projects for over 40 years,” the Governor General’s press release said. “He and his team are credited with the discovery of North America’s first commercial diamond pipes in the Northwest Territories.

“He is also well-known for his philanthropic support for health care initiatives at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Notably, he founded the eponymous Centre for Innovative Research at UBC’s Okanagan campus as well as the Fipke Professorship in Alzheimer’s Research at UBC’s Vancouver campus.”

He is also the owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses.

Howard Soon is described in the news release as an “internationally acclaimed vintner.”

He is the master winemaker at Vanessa Vineyard and filled similar positions previously with Andre Peller Limited and Sandhill.

“Howard Soon elevated British Columbia’s wine industry to higher standards,” the news release said. “Pairing an inventive spirit with a keen entrepreneurial mind, he harnessed the benefits of the province’s unique terroirs by planting new varieties of quality grapes and inspired others to follow suit.

"A certified wine educator and an esteemed mentor, he has helped shape a new generation of experts. Generous with his time and expertise, he is a valued and engaged advisor to charitable organizations within his community.”

The awards, going to three Companions, seven Officers and 32 Members, will be presented Thursday, Oct. 20, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

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