A son of Bermuda has been given one of Canada?s highest honours for lifetime achievement in recognition of his contribution to commerce and business for the country.

Former Saltus Grammar School student George Butterfield is to receive the Order of Canada insignia, an award that ?recognises outstanding achievement and service?.

A co-owner of Butterfield and Vallis with one of his younger brothers Jim, Mr. Butterfield is a regular visitor back to Bermuda to see his family, which includes his other brother Tom at Masterworks.

Although he has lived the majority of his life in Canada, his father was Bermudian and he lived in Bermuda as a youngster before moving to Canada where he attended the University of Toronto and law school and went into a variety of business enterprises.

Today his primary business is in the tourism field providing walking and cycling holidays in exciting destinations such as China, Iceland, Vietnam, New Zealand and attracting clients that include high-fliers from the world of commerce and stars from Hollywood who are interested in the niche ? and mostly environmentally-friendly ? holidays that incorporate exercise with staying in luxury hotels and dining at fine restaurants.

Mr. Butterfield, 67, was informed that he was to receive the award three months ago but kept it a guarded secret and did not even let on to his brother Tom when they met last week in Bermuda.

?I told my mother, who is 91, but other than that I kept it to myself. When I heard I was to get the award I was over the moon and very pleased. Yes, it was a surprise. I didn?t think I would get that award as it is something that normally goes to people who are connected with the Government,? he said.

?It won?t change my life. I?m more involved in philanthropic activities and charities these days, and the World Wildlife Foundation.?

However, having said that, Mr. Butterfield still finds time to lead some of the walking and cycling trips for his Canada-based company Butterfield and Robinson.

He has just returned from one such trip in Iceland and said: ?I can?t imagine I will retire. I might take on less of the trips and do less jobs. I?m doing a lot of counselling of young people now and different kinds of work.?

The concept of the walking and cycling holidays took off in the 1980s before it became trendy to seek environmentally-aware vacations. He concedes that vacationers do still have to use aeroplanes to reach their destination, but once there they switch to walking boots or bicycles to get around while enjoying quality hotels and restaurants during their trips.

His other businesses have ranged from Butterfield and Vallis to mutual finds, real estate and a massage-therapy school in Chicago.

Married to wife Martha, he has two children and two grandchildren with another on the way.

Tom Butterfield said of his bother: ?He is magnanimous, intelligent and a great human being who loves other people. He is so engaged in the city of Toronto and very accomplished.?