1. Rick Hillier previously served as the chief of the Land Staff from 30 May 2003 until his promotion to CDS.
21 Facts About Rick Hillier
1. 2.
From 23 November 2020 to 31 March 2021, Hillier oversaw the province of Ontario's vaccination task-force in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario.
3.
Rick Hillier attended Greenwood High School and graduated in June 1972.
4.
Rick Hillier initially wanted to be a fighter pilot, but failed the medical examination.
5.
Rick Hillier then applied to join the Canadian Forces as an officer cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada but was rejected.
6.
Rick Hillier went on to command the Multi-National Division in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
7.
Rick Hillier was named chief of the land staff, commanding Land Force Command, on May 30,2003.
8.
Rick Hillier is noted for his public calls for increased resources for the Canadian Forces.
9.
On February 4,2005, Rick Hillier became chief of the defence staff.
10.
Rick Hillier was known for his plain-spoken language and focus on frontline capabilities.
11.
Rick Hillier was appointed as chancellor of Memorial University of Newfoundland, effective July 3,2008.
12.
In 2009, Rick Hillier co-founded Project Hero, a scholarship program for the children of Canadian Forces personnel killed while on active military duty.
13.
Rick Hillier announced on September 3,2008, he will be working at an Ottawa office for the TD Bank to support initiatives that enhance the client and customer experience and to assist the bank's ongoing leadership development and training activities.
14.
On June 16,2009, while attending the 48th International Paris Air Show, Provincial Aerospace announced that Rick Hillier will join the company's Advisory Board.
15.
Rick Hillier's name was mentioned by political pundits as a possible successor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, during Harper's minority Conservative government.
16.
When Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams retired from politics in 2010, Rick Hillier's name was brought up as a possible successor to the Progressive Conservative premier.
17.
Rick Hillier has stated on several occasions however that he has no interest in politics.
18.
In November 2020, Rick Hillier was appointed as the chair of the vaccine distribution taskforce for Ontario by Premier Doug Ford in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario.
19.
Rick Hillier leads the task-force in its rollout and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada, distributed federally and administered by the province.
20.
Rick Hillier was replaced with Homer Tien as operation lead.
21.
In December 2013, it was announced that Rick Hillier would be appointed to the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador by Lieutenant Governor Frank Fagan during a ceremony in February 2014.