Blake-Hutcheson.jpg
Blake Hutcheson

Huntsville-born Blake Hutcheson appointed to the Order of Ontario 2023

Born and raised in Huntsville, Blake Hutcheson is one of 25 people appointed to the prestigious Order of Ontario for 2023.

The Order recognizes “outstanding people who have made exceptional contributions to help build a stronger province, nation and world. Members of the Order come from all walks of life and represent various sectors of society including public service, business, journalism and health care,” notes a press release from the Province.

Hutcheson is President and CEO of the Canadian public pension fund OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System). He has led investment businesses around the world and served on numerous corporate and non-profit boards. In his career to date, he has become known for his exceptional business acumen, leadership, and philanthropy.

“As a young kid from Huntsville, Ontario (population of less than 10,000 at the time), I had no idea what this was – much less that one might come my way someday. To be honest, I am incredibly humbled and on this occasion would simply like to convey four heartfelt thank you’s,” wrote Hutcheson on his LinkedIn account.

He thanked Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario as well as the province of Ontario, for including him in the group of 25 distinguished appointees. He thanked his friends and colleagues across OMERS and Oxford Properties Group, “as everything we achieve of note is a collective effort, and a function of one’s platform. I share this honour with them,” he wrote.

“Third I want to thank our members, some 600,000 hard working Ontarians, for the privilege of working with and for them to deliver on the pension promise. And finally, my family, spread over four generations, for your unwavering inspiration, guidance, and love. I feel blessed to live in this province and country, and I am proud to call it my home,” he added.

“As Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, it is my privilege to congratulate the Order’s appointees for 2023. These Ontarians have demonstrated the highest levels of merit, excellence and dedication in their respective disciplines, and they have made significant impacts here at home and around the world,” said Lieutenant Governor Edith Dumont. “Our province gratefully acknowledges their remarkable contributions, which inspire us all to be leaders and change-makers.”

Born in Huntsville in 1961, Hutcheson is also a former recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 honour. The Hutchesons are a well-known Huntsville family who have been in the area for more than a Century.

Don’t miss out on Doppler!

Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!

Click here to support local news

Join the discussion:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All comments are moderated. Please ensure you include both your first and last name and abide by our community guidelines. Submissions that do not include the commenter's full name or that do not abide by our community guidelines will not be published.

11 Comments

  1. Egon Speneder says:

    Congratulations Blake. I also grew up in Huntsville after immigrating from Austria back in 1954. I was in High School when I took part in your Dad’s summer Christmas Tree Pruning sessions that stretched from Orangeville right up to Sudbury Ontario. It was one of the toughest jobs for teenage boys at that time, were 20 would get hired and 5 would last at the end of summer. I also got hired on his Road Building Crew. It was this camaraderie that I needed in order to build that initial motivation to work, be responsible, disciplined etc. Your Father played a big part in that! In fact I would say that every life he touched had benefited in some way which they never forget. You are a fortunate fellow to have had such a Father.

  2. Bill Spring says:

    Mr Oliver
    Bob is alive and well and is enjoying this proud moment for Blake as we all are

  3. John Oliver says:

    Congratulations Blake, your dad would have been proud of you. Fond memories of the time spent with him.

  4. Sharon Stahls says:

    Congratulations Blake on all your appointment to the Order of Ontario and remembering who and where it all began. Your hometown community is so very proud of all your accomplishments.

  5. Lisa Brooks says:

    What a tremendous honour, Blake. Kudos on the provincial recognition and very well-deserved congratulations from our community. Thank you.

  6. Michele Collins says:

    Congratulations Blake! What a great blessing for you, the family & indeed the rest of us in this province!
    Sent with much love & respect.

  7. Mary and Don Spring says:

    Congratulations Blake. A huge honour and so well deserved.

  8. Susan Godfrey says:

    Congratulations Blake! You are a wonderful example of corporate leadership with community focus. Well done.

  9. John K. Davis says:

    Congratulations Blake, certainly nice you are recognized for your contributions to Huntsville, Ontario and Canada at this point in your life and career. I am sure this is not the last recognition you will receive. We shall continue to follow your community involvement into the future.

  10. Brian Thompson says:

    Congratulations Blake…well deserved and couldn’t happen to a better man.

  11. John Rivière-Anderson says:

    Congratulations, Blake, on your most well-deserved appointment to the Order of Ontario. Your expertise, dedication and leadership ensure the retirement security of many thousands of Ontario workers. Your exemplary work is an inspiration to all.