Steve Fonyo, the amputee who ran across Canada and raised millions for cancer research, admits taking “stupid chances” but feels he deserves to remain a member of the Order of Canada.

Speaking for the first time since he was stripped of one Canada’s highest honours, Fonyo told CTV News Wednesday that he doesn’t think he is being treated fairly.

“I don’t think it’s right. I know I have some legal problems. But I never hurt anybody but myself and my reputation. I think it’s wrong for Ottawa to do that,” Fonyo said.

Fonyo is currently serving a sentence in the Hope, B.C., area for breach of probation.

He received the Order of Canada in 1985 when he was just 18 years old.

Since then, he has had numerous run-ins with the law, including multiple convictions for impaired driving and driving while prohibited.

The office of the Governor General announced this week that Fonyo’s membership in the Order of Canada had been revoked due to his multiple criminal convictions.

Fonyo said he regretted getting behind the wheel without a license.

“I take stupid chances,” he said.

But he said he felt he deserved to keep his Order of Canada status.

“If you give something to somebody, you give it to them to keep. … It’s kind of a dirty system,” Fonyo said.

Many B.C. residents have thrown their support behind Fonyo in letters to the editor and in call-in radio shows.

Fonyo said he wanted to thank the public for their support.

He is scheduled to be released from jail in February.

Fonyo said he plans to marry this summer.