The man who resurrected a local beer company that was shut down for its involvement in bootlegging during the 1930s will be named a member to the Order of Canada later this week.
John Warren Sleeman will be officially welcomed into the order during a ceremony in Ottawa on Thursday.
“John Sleeman’s passion and determination profoundly impacted the Canadian beer industry,” states a bio on the governor general’s website announcing the latest round of inductees. “ As founder and chair of Sleeman Breweries, one of Canada’s most successful and storied breweries, he led the business with integrity and professionalism.”
While chairing the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Charter for Business, Sleeman worked to expand the program’s scope and make it more available to youth throughout the country, particularly in at-risk communities.
The award was launched in 1956 and “intended as a means to support young people on their journey of self-development, regardless of their background, culture, physical ability, skills or interest,” the program’s website explains.
In 1985, Sleeman purchased the brewery started by his family in 1834 as well as the trademark and re-launched Sleeman Brewing and Malting Company Ltd. in 1988.
While chairing the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Charter for Business, Sleeman worked to expand the program’s scope and make it more available to youth throughout the country, particularly in at-risk communities.
The company would go on to acquire several microbreweries before, in 2006, being bought by Sapporo Breweries Ltd.
The Order of Canada has three levels: companion, officer and member.
