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Weekly UpdatesAfter more than a year's wait, Northern Ontario trucking magnate Doug Smith finally received his Order of Canada at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
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The founder and chairman of Manitoulin Transport was one of 46 people invested as members, officers or named as companion of the order for Canada's highest civilian award.
The humble and venerable Manitoulin Island businessman was admittedly "scared to death" in having Governor General Michaelle Jean pin the award on his lapel during the investiture ceremony, Dec. 12.
Because of the excitement and protocol of the event, bowing, shaking hands, posing for pictures with dignitaries, Smith said he didn't share any words with Jean. "I was pretty busy concentrating on doing it right."
Smith, 75, joins the likes of well - known hockey dad Walter Gretzky, former Reform Party leader Preston Manning and former Bank of Canada governor David Dodge.
He echoed the feelings of a fellow honouree, Sister Margaret Vickers of Vancouver, who sighed, "My goodness, I'm glad that's over," though he took the occasion to collect some autographs from Walter Gretzky for the children of his office staff.
Smith, who prefers to shun the limelight, found out from his long-time secretary Maureen Dumond that family, friends and staff had worked behind the scenes to get him nominated. It took some coaxing from Dumond and son, Gord, to get him to accept the honour.
Established in 1953, the Manitoulin Group of Companies began in the grocery business as Smith's Wholesale. Through some deft and strategic acquisitions, it's grown to a fleet of 2,500 pieces of equipment and 2,000 associates at terminals across Canada.
He was also recognized for his philanthropic efforts in supporting local charities and donations to sports, health and cultural groups.
The privately-held, family-run Gore Bay company is operated by Smith's two sons: Gord, the company president based in Cambridge, and Jeff, the Sudbury-based company vice-president and Director for Quality that includes their affiliated driver training schools, warehouses, fuel distributors and customs brokers.
In reflecting on the company he's built and passed onto his sons, his wife, Phyllis, mentioned the long hours he spent in the Gore Bay office.
"I did work hard, no doubt about that. Lotta years and lotta good people working for us."
Smith said the greatest satisfaction he's garnered over the years is creating jobs, especially for local people.
In an interview last year, son Gord called his father's knowledge of the trucking industry as "second to none" in his understanding of truck and equipment specs, load weights and measures. The company has been credited with innovations like the 'Super Truck' introduced in the 1980s, with dromedary boxes attached to tractor units to haul temperature-controlled goods during otherwise empty back-haul runs.
www.manitoulintransport.com
By IAN ROSS
Northern Ontario Business
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