Canada gives DeFehr highest honor
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 2, 2004
OTTAWA — OTTAWA — Art DeFehr, president and CEO of Palliser Furniture, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, the country's highest honor for lifetime achievement.
DeFehr was cited for accomplishments building Canada's largest residential furniture manufacturer and for his humanitarian works. Canada's governor-general, Adrienne Clarkson, bestows the honor based on recommendations of a panel of distinguished Canadians.
He is believed to be the first Canadian residential furniture manufacturer to be appointed to the order.
His citation reads in part: "A man of leadership and vision, Arthur DeFehr is respected for his business acumen and for his commitment to humanitarian initiatives. He developed Palliser Furniture into one of the country's largest residential furniture manufacturers. Dedicated to alleviating global poverty and hunger, he served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to Somalia and was instrumental in establishing the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and International Development Enterprises. Also a supporter of higher education, he played a pivotal role in launching the Canadian Mennonite University."
