Paul Marshall Kells, O.Ont., M.S.M., Halifax, Nova Scotia
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)
After the death of his son during a workplace incident, Paul Kells spearheaded, in 1996, the Safe Communities Foundation of Canada. Through this endeavour, Mr. Kells has campaigned tirelessly, speaking to businesses, labour, media and student audiences across Canada, to raise awareness and encourage people to be mindful of health and safety in order to eliminate preventable injuries at home, at play and in the workplace. Thanks to Mr. Kells' leadership and dedication, the Foundation, which brings together safe communities in Alberta and Ontario, has recently expanded to the western provinces and to the Atlantic Region, helping to make more Canadian communities safer.