By Sarah Wallace

P.A. humanitarians to receive Order of Merit

May 4, 2016 | 12:00 PM

Two people with Prince Albert ties are being recognized with the province’s highest honour.

On May 24, in Regina, 10 people will be given the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, an award for those who’ve contributed greatly to their communities. Included in the list are Gordon Rawlinson and Isabelle Impey.

Rawlinson is a member of the Order of Canada and is the CEO of Rawlco Radio. He said it was an honour to be recognized as he strongly believes in community engagement.

“I think it’s a recognition of largely what Rawlco Radio has been able to do…we’ve always tried to have all the Rawlco Radio stations operate with a very strong focus on community service and local news,” Rawlinson said.

In Regina, his stations raise money for the city’s hospital foundation, and does similarly for St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon.

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

Dec 12, 2025

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

The Rawlinsons are well known in Prince Albert and North Battleford for donations the family has made to the performing arts.

“Our business started many, many years ago with my father and one of the first things he taught me was the better you serve your community, the better your business will do. We’ve had business success and so I think it’s only appropriate to give back as much as possible,” Rawlinson said.

He said he’s very proud of his staff who he describes as professional and of the highest caliber.

“We have worked hard to have a great community presence, and you can’t do that without a lot of great people,” Rawlinson said.

The second award recipient is Prince Albert’s Isabelle Impey.

Impey is an indigenous Elder who works tirelessly as an advocate for women and children. Impey was instrumental in the creation of the Interval House in P.A.

She has also helped provide meals to those on Christmas Day who can’t afford a dinner or are alone for the holiday.

Impey was the recipient of the 2009 Aboriginal Women of Distinction Award and is very active in First Nation healing and child advocacy. She was key in creating the Opikinawasowin (OPIK) child welfare dispute resolution process which has helped over 100 families. She is also a former member of both the Canadian and the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commissions.

Impey is a part of many local groups including the Prince Albert Aide to the Homeless and Hungry and the West Flat Community Center.

Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield said in a release, “It’s a great privilege for me to present the Saskatchewan Order of Merit to 10 such accomplished individuals. They have each made enormous contributions to our province, and are most deserving of this prestigious honor.”

Other recipients include:

• Jo Anne Bannatyne-Cugnet, Retired Nurse, Author and Business Owner, Weyburn
• Valerie Creighton, President and CEO Canada Media Fund, Stoughton
• Steve Dechka, Former President and CEO Canpotex, Singapore and Saskatoon
• Keith Downey, O.C., F.R.S.C., Research Scientist (Emeritus), Okotoks, Alberta and Saskatoon
• George Lafond, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan, Victoria, B.C. and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation
• Eldon McIntyre, Businessman, Swift Current
• Wilf Perreault, Artist, Regina
• Dr. Anne Luke

swallace@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahthesquid