William Gerald MacLean, Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
Since the tragic death of his son in 1995, William MacLean has worked for the benefit of his fellow Islanders. He helped to implement an air ambulance service and to acquire a helicopter pad at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown, enabling timely medical evacuation and care. He later became the driving force behind the establishment of a trauma centre in the Maritimes. Mr. MacLean also played an integral part in the creation of a memorial park, the International Children's Memorial Place, which opened in 2001. He continues to participate fully in all aspects of the park project, which now includes a counselling, grieving and healing resource centre.