OTTAWA—Fresh off losing his freedom, Conrad Black faces losing yet another privilege — his Order of Canada.

Rideau Hall confirmed that the honour handed to the once powerful media baron more than two decades ago is under review after he was ordered back to prison to serve out a sentence for mail fraud and obstruction of justice.

“The matter regarding Conrad Black has been brought to the attention of the Advisory Council of the Order of Canada,” said Marie-Pierre Bélanger, a spokesperson for the Governor General.

The council, chaired by Beverley McLachlin, the Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Canada, makes recommendations to Governor General David Johnston on who gets the respected honour — and who loses it.

According to the regulations, the council shall consider “the termination of a person's appointment to the Order of Canada if the person has been convicted of a criminal offence.”

Black was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada — the second highest level of honour — on April 20, 1990. But since his conviction in U.S. court, there have been calls for him to lose the honour.

Only four people — Alan Eagleson, David Ahenakew, T. Sher Singh and Steven Fonyo — have been stripped of the Order of Canada, meant to recognize a “lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.”

People whose honour is up for review are given a chance to give it back voluntarily or make representations why they think they should be allowed to keep it.

Bélanger said that the council is also considering the fate of Garth Drabinsky’s Order of Canada. The Ontario Court of Appeal this week upheld a fraud conviction against the former theatre mogul.

Read more about: