Former prime minister Kim Campbell and former B.C. premier Dave Barrett are among the 14 British Columbians who will be awarded the Order of British Columbia this year, B.C. Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point announced today (May 18).

“As our Province’s highest honour, the Order of British Columbia is our way of acknowledging the outstanding achievements of our citizens,” Point said in a news release.

B.C. Premier Christy Clark said the recipients “have made exceptional contributions to their communities and to the province”.

Barrett was B.C.'s first New Democrat premier from 1972 to 1975. Campbell served as Canada's first female prime minister from June to November 1993.

B.C. NDP Leader Adrian Dix issued a statement today praising Barrett.

"His legacy, accomplished in such a short time, is without parallel: the Agricultural Land Reserve, ICBC, Pharmacare, student loans and income for seniors—to name just a few," he said.

“I also want to pay tribute to every other recipient, including Kim Campbell, all of whom served our province and communities with such distinction," Dix added.

This year's Order of B.C. recipients also include Bard on the Beach founder and artistic director Christopher Gaze, ultrasound imaging expert Dr. Peter Cooperberg, artist Rick Harry, and astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk.

The other Order of B.C. recipients announced by the government today are: homeless advocate Sister Nancy Brown; entrepreneurs Norman Keevil and Hassan Khosrowshahi; athletes Marion Lay and Tricia Smith; social justice advocate Carol Matthews; business leader Djavad Mowafaghian; and community leader James Ogilvie.

The Order of B.C. ceremony will be held in Victoria on September 6, 2012.