Gov. General Michaëlle Jean presents professional golfer Mike Weir with the Order of Canada during a ceremony in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)Professional golfer Mike Weir was among the 35 Canadians who were invested with the Order of Canada in a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa Thursday morning.

In total, Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean presented three companions, 11 officers and 21 members with their insignia of membership.

Peter Mansbridge, chief correspondent for CBC News and anchor of The National, former CAW leader Buzz Hargrove and Frank McKenna, the former premier of New Brunswick and former ambassador to the U.S., were made officers of the Order of Canada — the second rank, in recognition of "achievement and merit of a high degree."

Harley N. Hotchkiss, the founding sponsor of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Stephen Jarislowsky, a portfolio manager and philanthropist, and Raymond Moriyama, an architect and urban planner, were promoted to companion — the order's highest rank.

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean invests CBC News anchor Peter Mansbridge as an officer of the Order of Canada during a ceremony in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)Jean saluted the recipients for their "unwavering faith in humanity and its ability to evolve" and welcomed them among the ranks of their fellow extraordinary Canadians.

"Through your example you remind us that there's no limit to what we can accomplish, and you encourage young people to follow your example," Jean said before the ceremony.

Established in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes Canadians for outstanding lifetime achievements. New appointments are made twice yearly with award ceremonies taking place three times a year.

Over the last 40 years, more than 5,000 people have been invested into the order.