On December 18, 2024, Nicole Bourque-Bouchier and Dr. David Tuccaro – two individuals who have long-standing and close affiliations with MacEwan University – were among the 88 Canadians appointed to the Order of Canada by the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. Both Bourque-Bouchier and Dr. Tuccaro were invested as Members of the Order of Canada
“We are thrilled to congratulate Nicole and David on these well-deserved appointments to the Order of Canada,” says Dr. Annette Trimbee, MacEwan’s president and vice-chancellor. “They exemplify the leadership qualities we all aspire toward: an unwavering focus on creating economic and social opportunities for our community and a personal commitment to social responsibility.”
Nicole Bourque-Bouchier
Bourque-Bouchier was honoured by the Governor General for her commitment to advancing the role of women in business and her role at the forefront of Indigenous economic development in Alberta.
Bourque-Bouchier is the CEO and co-owner of Bouchier – Canada’s largest privately owned Indigenous company – and a leading Canadian integrated site services company based in Fort McKay, Alberta, specializing in civil contracting and facilities maintenance. Bouchier began operations in 1998, employs approximately 1,100 people and prides itself on building its diverse workforce, including an Indigenous employee representation of 43 per cent.
Bouchier is committed to lasting economic and social impact ranging from hiring Indigenous and local suppliers to supporting Indigenous independence, culture and community, female empowerment, and youth and recreation. The company has been recognized numerous times for its leadership, quality and safety excellence.
Bourque-Bouchier is a former MacEwan University Allard Chair in Business and a member of the campaign cabinet for the university’s MacEwan Means Business capital campaign. Thanks to Bourque-Bouchier’s leadership, her firm contributed $250,000 toward MacEwan’s new School of Business building earlier this year.
Dr. David Tuccaro
Dr. Tuccaro was acknowledged by Her Excellency for actively elevating Indigenous business, contributing to the economic growth of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and his philanthropic efforts in supporting and guiding community initiatives.
A member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation in Fort Chipewyan, Dr. Tuccaro has built six successful companies on a foundation of creating opportunities for Indigenous people and communities. Although his businesses are now spread throughout western Canada, the core of Tuccaro’s business operations remain in the oil sands region of Fort McMurray, where his first venture was based.
Tuccaro is the founder of the Northeastern Aboriginal Business Association, which includes over 100 members with combined revenues of over $1 billion. He is also a member of the National Task Force on Oil Sands Strategies and the National Aboriginal Financing Task Force. As former board chair for Indspire, an Indigenous-led registered charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people, Tuccaro helped set strategic direction for the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards and is deeply committed to the organization's support of K-12 education and Indigenous teachers across Canada.
Dr. Tuccaro received an honorary Doctor of the University degree from MacEwan University in Fall 2021. He has also received honorary doctorates from Athabasca University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.