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Caring Canadian Award Ceremony

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As part of the Governor General's program to highlight National Volunteer Week, His Excellency presented the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award to 28 volunteers from across the country and various sectors during a ceremony at Rideau Hall.

"I want you to go home and unleash the power of your stories as caring Canadians," declared His Excellency. "Be proud to tell people what you’ve done—not in arrogance, but in confidence. You’ve found innovative ways to help your neighbours; now go find equally innovative ways to tell your stories. This is no time to hide a light under a bushel. Let that light shine. Use the brilliance of your light—of your inspiring stories—to encourage more Canadians to volunteer, start their own volunteer groups, revive or even revolutionize existing organizations. That’s my challenge to you."

On this occasion, Mrs. Diana Fowler LeBlanc, spouse of the late Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc, former governor general and creator of the award, also delivered remarks.

Daphne Clarke (Windsor, Ontario) has dedicated over 30 years of her life to helping immigrant women. Jamaican by birth, she arrived in Canada in the 1970s. In 1980, she founded Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women, to help newcomers adapt to their new country, develop professionally and gain the self-confidence needed to improve their lives. Today, her organization has become the leading resource for immigrants in Windsor. Ms. Clarke’s spirit of solidarity and enterprise has improved the lives of many families.

Paul-Émile Cormier (Saint-Antoine, New Brunswick) has long been involved with civic, religious, social and athletic causes in his community. But most of all, he has focused on the adult literacy program in his region. He has shown leadership in this field, designing night courses and creating purpose-made materials. Through his determination to increase the store of knowledge in his community, he has helped to significantly decrease the illiteracy rate.

Alice Forrester (Edmonton, Alberta) is a prime example of one who has triumphed over her own disabilities and directed her energies towards helping others. She has volunteered over 23 000 hours with the Cross Cancer Institute, distributing mail and magazines, and helping out in the Institute’s café. She has taken on her responsibilities with deep devotion and continues to care for cancer patients, bringing them joy and comfort.

From a very young age, Kalliana King (Cowichan Bay, British Columbia) has had tremendous compassion for those living with muscular dystrophy, a compassion inspired by her friend, who lives with the disorder. When she was eight years old, Miss King asked her parents for permission to become actively involved in fundraising. She dyed her hair pink to capture public attention, then shaved it off to raise funds for the cause. She has gone door to door, participated in fundraising walks and joined the local firefighters’ charitable campaign. Through her efforts, Miss King has raised $14 600, has inspired others in her region, and has raised public awareness of muscular dystrophy.

Over the years, Lynn and Marvin MacLeod (Belle River, Prince Edward Island) have made tremendous contributions to the Canadian Red Cross branches of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. They have served in leadership roles on several advisory committees focusing on first response in disaster situations, notably the ice storm of 2008. They have also recruited and trained numerous volunteers, and provided support to disaster victims in their region as leaders in the emergency operations centre and with the Red Cross Emergency Response Team. Mr. and Mrs. MacLeod have distinguished themselves as first-rate examples of compassion and organization.

Elaine McGee (Saint-Colomban, Quebec) is a shining example of social conscience and the spirit of solidarity. Twelve years ago, she created Marchant à tes cotés, an organization that works to break the cycle of poverty by allowing young single mothers, among others, to return to their studies. Ms. McGee not only set up a network of volunteers, but worked with them to devise creative methods for helping. For example, two people can provide concrete assistance by ‘adopting’ a student and her child until she has finished Cégep, allowing both mother and child to pursue better options for the future.

Despite having never served in the Canadian Forces, Larry Pearson (Weyburn, Saskatchewan) is committed to ensuring its members are recognized. Active in his community’s branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, he has organized parades that have included local veterans together with members of the local police and emergency services. He has also planned soirées and events to honour veterans returning from Afghanistan and has provided support for their families.

Over the past eight years, Ryan Claude Walker (Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories) has demonstrated a true sense of community by participating in Operation Santa Claus, a program organized by the RCMP, in Tuktoyaktuk. Each Christmas, he has dressed up as Santa Claus and distributed thousands of gifts, heedless of the cold, to bring smiles to the faces of children and adults in his community. He volunteers for a number of other activities throughout the rest of the year and encourages other young people to do likewise. Mr. Walker makes his community proud.

Their Excellencies are pictured with the 28 recipients of the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award, on April 17, 2012.

Mrs. Diana Fowler Leblanc and Their Excellencies are pictured alongside the portrait of the late Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc.

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