Politicians, artists and athletes were among the 132 Montrealers given a new honour on Saturday as the first recipients of the Order of Montreal medal were announced.
A ceremony was held at city hall as the honourees were unveiled. Each was judged to have made a significant mark on Montreal.
The Order of Montreal is replacing the old Academy of Great Montrealers. All those honoured on Saturday were members of the Academy.
Among those in the inaugural class are former Habs great Jean Beliveau, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, business magnate Jean Coutu, filmmaker Denys Arcand, former mayor Jean Drapeau, Montreal Symphony Orchestra conductor Kent Nagano and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte.
Future honorees will be announced each year on May 17, the date of the founding of Montreal.
