Dan Aykroyd Grateful to be Honoured Alongside Fellow Kingstonian

Published on: 2018/02/06 - in Entertainment

Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd wrote to his social media fans yesterday that he is honoured to be appointed to the Order of Ontario alongside a fellow Kingston resident.

The appointment was announced last week by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario. He joins 22 other new recipients of the province’s highest honour, including mental health advocate Dr. Dorothy Cotton.

Aykroyd acknowledged Dr. Cotton in posts to Twitter and Facebook, writing: “Most grateful to be honoured in my home province alongside fellow Kingstonian Dr. Dorothy Cotton whose work in improving police interaction with the mentally ill wholly deserves this recognition. True greatness.

In an Ontario government release, Dr. Cotton is credited with helping change the way police respond to people with mental health crises while comedian Dan Aykroyd is hailed as a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist as well as an accomplished entertainer.

According to Dorothy Cotton’s Linkedin profile:

Dr. Cotton is a clinical and correctional psychologist whose primary interest is in Police Psychology. She is Canada’s only Diplomate in Police Psychology, provides a variety of services to police organizations including pre-employment and fitness for duty assessments, program development, research consultation. She is well known for her work in the area of police interactions with people with mental illnesses and received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work in this area.

She also writes for Blueline Magazine, Canada’s national police magazine. Dr. Cotton has worked extensively with the Mental Health Commission of Canada and with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. She is also a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association.

Dan Aykroyd is a globally recognized entertainer who describes himself on Twitter as a “comedian, actor, screenwriter, musician, UFOlogist and purveyor of fine spirits”.

In October, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame along with his fellow Saturday Night Live original cast members. His entrepreneurial successes include creating the award winning Crystal Head Vodka, which will be soon releasing a new limited edition of its signature skull-shaped bottle.

Established in 1986, the Order of Ontario recognizes individuals whose exceptional achievement in their field have left a lasting legacy in the province, in Canada and beyond. Order members come from all walks of life, represent diverse professions and have played an important role in shaping our province.

The Lieutenant Governor will bestow the honour to the newest appointees during an investiture ceremony at Queen’s Park on February 27, 2018.


Aykroyd photo: Facebook

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