Meet the 8 newest recipients of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador

Eight Newfoundlanders and Labradorians received the province's highest honour Tuesday, being awarded the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador for contributions in medicine, arts, culture and more.

Robert Cormier, Dr. Catherine Donovan, Alan Doyle, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Carla Emerson Furlong, Joseph Goudie, Dr. Proton Rahman and Max Short received the order from Lt.-Gov. Judy Foote at the Colonial Building in St. John's.

"It is always an honour to recognize people of our province for their achievements and contribution to our province, and to the country and to the world," Foote said during Tuesday's ceremony.

Fitzgerald, Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer of health, has guided the province through the COVID-19 pandemic. She was emotional in speaking with reporters following the ceremony, calling the award a tremendous honour and thanked the Public Health team working behind the scenes.

"I accept this on behalf of all of them, because there's no way that I could have done what I did if they didn't do what they did," she said. "It's really humbling, and I'm honoured to be considered among this group."

Fitzgerald worked alongside Rahman, the head of Newfoundland and Labrador's COVID-19 modelling team and a world-renowned genetic researcher, and Donovan, a former medical officer of health who spent 30 years in the public health system.

Both Rahman and Donovan called the day emotional and rewarding, and are thankful for the many colleagues they worked with along the way.

"I started my career with HIV and AIDS, and I ended it with COVID," Donovan said. "There was a lot of work in between … which is incredibly rewarding."

Cormier, a resident of Cape St. George and an educator for more than three decades, was recognized for his advocacy for education for French-speaking residents of the province. He was a founding member of the Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador.

"It's a great honour, and I accept it on behalf of the community. Because it's really the community that's the reason I'm here," Cormier said.

Max Short was honoured for his commitment to fishing families in Newfoundland and Labrador, spending over six decades of his life fighting for the quality of life of fish harvesters, plant workers and their families.

He began fishing at a young age, moved into advocacy beginning in the 1970s and is known for his work in getting support for harvesters and industry workers during the cod moratorium.

Doyle, Furlong and Goudie were all recognized for their contributions in arts and culture across the province, Canada and the world.

Doyle, an award-winning musician, composer, actor and author, was commended for being a provincial ambassador who has used his platform to help people in times of need. Doyle was unable to attend the ceremony and will be awarded the order later.