An executive at Kitchener-based tech company Bonfire has received one the country's highest civilian honours for a project to help newcomers enter the job market and rebuild their lives.

Omar Salaymeh was announced as a recipient of the civil division of the Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal.

He co-founded Jumpstart Refugee Talent in 2016, which was initially geared toward supporting Syrian newcomers. Since then it has grown to connect with more than 1,000 refugees of all backgrounds from across the country.