Samuel Gewurz, a pioneering builder on Montreal’s Ȋle des Soeurs, has been named to the Order of Canada. The president of the development firm, Proment Corporation, is among 65 newly announced members recognized for their outstanding achievements and service to the country and their communities.

In making the year-end announcement, Governor General Mary Simon commended  appointees’ commitment to Canadian society. Gewurz, who founded Proment nearly 60 years ago, is cited for “his ground-breaking contributions to Montreal’s urban development, and for his transformational philanthropy and community engagement”.

The Order of Canada carries the motto, Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam, which translates to “they desire a better country”, and is one of the highest awards bestowed to citizens. Gewurz will join a select roster of approximately 7,600 recipients who have attained the honour since 1967.

Proment has built nearly 5,000 condominium units in 20 towers on Ȋle des Soeurs, and has recently broken ground on the final phase of Quartier Pointe-Nord, a mixed-use community, certified LEED Gold for neighbourhood development. The company built Quebec’s first LEED Gold residential towers and is a seven-time winner of APCHQ (Association provinciale des constructeurs d’habitations du Québec) Builder of the Year honours.

Gewurz is an active and generous supporter of Montreal community service organizations, including Federation CJA and the MADA Community Centre, and is the sponsor of the Gewurz Lecture in Urban Design at McGill University’s School of Urban Planning.

“What a beautiful way to end the year, honouring Order of Canada appointees and learning about the depth and range of their accomplishments,” Governor General Simon observes. “Celebrated trailblazers in their respective fields, they are inspiring, educating and mentoring future generations, creating a foundation of excellence in our country that is respected throughout the world.”