- Awarded on: November 14, 2002
Robert D. Sipes, Edmonton, Alberta, and Miramichi, New Brunswick
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
A medic for the Canadian Forces, Robert Sipes shares his training in critical incident stress debriefing with his community. In addition to over 13 years of voluntarism within the Forces providing support in the immediate aftermath of traumatic events, he has volunteered with the Victim Services Unit of the Edmonton Police Department. In this capacity, Mr. Sipes is on call 12 hours a week and offers professional guidance to people suffering the emotional and psychological consequences of suicides, vehicle accidents and violent incidents. Through his compassion and kind words, he has helped hundreds of people cope with bereavement, loss and victimization.