Stratford's newest Order of Canada member on her recent investiture

Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma stands with Patricia O’Malley in council chambers on March 9. O’Malley regaled council with her experience being invested in the Order of Canada this year – pointing out how many Order of Canada members call Stratford home.

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Patricia O’Malley, the most recent Stratforder to become an Order of Canada member, pointed out that for a moderately-sized city, it has certainly left its mark on the nation.

"I think it’s interesting for people to know how unusual this city is in terms of the number of people who live here and who are members of the Order of Canada,” O’Malley said, highlighting that she will be joining seven other local members – all women no less – to share their stories at the Iris Collective event Voices of Distinction at 2 p.m. on March 28, located at the Stratford Public Library.

O’Malley made that connection at the most recent Stratford city council meeting on March 9, having been invited into council chambers to share her experience and be congratulated by council in-person. She pointed out that while her investiture was publicized Dec. 31, 2025, she found out in the fall.

"The day was a long time coming,” O’Malley shared. “I got a phone call in the middle of October from an email saying ‘please call,’ and it was from the Office of the Governor General. I actually thought that it might be somebody that I knew that had been nominated ... The first thing he said was, ‘I wanted to tell you that you went into the Order of Canada.’

“... That was very interesting because at that point it wasn’t announced until the 31st of December and the whole rule was you can’t tell anybody. So that the longest secret I’ve ever kept.”

O’Malley, a chartered accountant and long-time Stratford resident, originally hails from Winnipeg, Man. As noted in the Governor General’s announcement last year, over the course of her career she “redefined financial reporting and standard setting. Her leadership in developing and implementing the International Financial Reporting Standards ensured greater consistency and transparency in accounting practices.”

O’Malley is a trailblazer, known worldwide and flourishing in senior roles traditionally held by men.

“I can’t think of a better time to acknowledge a strong woman in leadership doing things that were once thought only men’s jobs,” Mayor Martin Ritsma said, referencing International Women’s Day on March 8. “So at this time I’m going to be honoured to recognize Patricia on behalf of the City of Stratford.”

After receiving a certificate from the city, O’Malley went around the horseshoe, receiving handshakes and congratulations from each councillor.

For more information on the Iris Collective event, visit https://tinyurl.com/k3sf2d3p.