Date of publication: Sunday 1 June 2025

About the Ordre de Montréal (Order of Montreal)

As a legacy of Montréal’s 375th anniversary, Ville de Montréal has created an honorary order to recognize the talents and achievements of the men and women who have helped shape the city. The Ordre de Montréal reflects the pride felt by all Montrealers. The Ordre de Montréal, which is marked with nobility and prestige, recognizes 17 prominent personalities each year, following a public call for nominations. Recipients of the honour have distinguished themselves in one or more of the following ways, regardless of their area of activity:

• Decisive contribution to the development of Montréal
• Notable contribution to the national or international reputation of Montréal
• Exemplary commitment to the community
• Exceptional professional achievements

About Dr. Yvette Bonny

Paediatric haematologist, Yvette Bonny made medical history when, in 1980, she performed the first bone marrow transplant on a child in Québec.

Born in Port-au-Prince in 1938, she came to Montréal in 1962 to specialize in paediatrics at Sainte-Justine Hospital. She was the establishment’s first medical resident of African descent. She joined Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital in 1970, where she founded and directed the provincial paediatric bone marrow transplant unit for almost twenty years, performing some two hundred transplants. At the same time, she taught at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Medicine, where she became a professor in 1980. Recognized for her research, she is also renowned for her commitment to promoting the integration of young people from immigrant backgrounds, notably working to prevent young Haitian immigrants from dropping out of school. An inspiring personality, Yvette Bonny has created a significant scientific and social legacy for the metropolis and all Québec society. Winner of numerous awards, she embodies an ideal harmony of compassion and excellence.

Source: Ville de Montréal