Four years after Brian Minter was awarded the Order of British Columbia, he’ll finally receive it.
The legendary, local award-winning horticulturalist and entrepreneur was on the list of recipients for 2022 announced by the provincial government on Thursday.
But yes, Minter was given the honour in 2018. However, he is one of three to receive the order on Thursday evening who were unable to attend ceremonies in past years.
Recipients from 2020 and 2021 similarly will be honoured on Thursday.
READ MORE: Order of British Columbia inducts 14 accomplished residents
“He will be presented with an insignia (medal) and be formally invested into the Order at tonight’s ceremony,” according to a spokesperson for the Honours and Awards Secretariat clarifying why he was on the list for 2022.
In total there are 31 recipients to be invested into the Order of B.C. on Thursday, including Michael Bublé, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and Chief Joe Alphonse.
Minter is known in Chilliwack as the owner of Minter Country Garden, and as a regular contributor with gardening columns in The Chilliwack Progress.
The master gardener is well-known across the province and the country as a gardening expert on radio programs, and his acclaimed 32-acre Minter Garden was a top tourist destination for years.
He is also an international speaker on gardening and industry topics.
“He has provided leadership in the area of climate change both in terms of new horticulture species and practice and is active in many professional gardening associations throughout B.C., Canada, the U.S. and Europe where he is in high demand as speaker and horticultural authority,” according to his bio provided by the government.
In addition to his gardening expertise, Minter has been the board chair and the first chancellor of the University of the Fraser Valley. He has served on a range of economic, tourism and service organizations, often taking leadership roles.
Minter is the recipient of the Order of Canada and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and has an honorary doctorate from the University of the Fraser Valley. He was awarded the Order of Chilliwack in 2011.
The ceremony will be livestreamed here starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2022.
READ MORE: Brian Minter earns Order of Chilliwack
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:
editor@theprogress.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.