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City man a pioneer of Internet age in Canada Rainbird awed by Order of Canada z:/c>Y By Henry Bury THE INTELLIGENCER Glenn Rainbird made his career in business and his mark in devel- oping Canada's capabilities in the Internet age. His contributions to this coun- try's business world and science and technology capabilities have been recognized at the highest levels of the business world. But his greatest honour came this past weekend as Rainbird was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada at a special ceremony Saturday at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. The 59-year-old Rednersville Road resident was one of 1 7 Cana- dians presented with the Officer of the Order of Canada ribbon and medal by Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson. The Governor General also presented two recipients with the Companion of the Order of Canada medals and dozens more with the Member of the Order of Canada designation. Rainbird said he still has trou- ble believing that he is an Officer of the Order of Canada. "This is the highest civilian honour a Canadian can attain and to be in that group is almost over- whelming," he said Monday. "Unquestionably, it was an hon- our to be invested as an officer. The ceremony itself was absolute- ly magnificent because it was cer- tainly humbling to be among a group of peers who are so accom- plished in Canadian society." Rainbird added it is "extremely gratifying" to be recognized for his business accomplishments and his contributions to Canada over the past 30 years, including playing a leadership role in estab- lishing the strategy and imple- mentation plan for high speed Internet in Canada during the 1990s. The Belleville native and Moira Secondary School graduate said he has been a strong and outspo- ken proponent of the importance of being at the forward edge of development and applying the tools of the information age to gain social and economic benefits for Canadians. • See 'Rainbird' on page 4. H £ H PHOTO BY MASTER CPL CINDY MOLYNEAUX, SPECIAL TO THE INTELLIGENCER Glenn Rainbird is named an officer of the Order of Canada by Gov.-Gen. Adrienne Clarkson.