• Awarded on: April 20, 1999

Clifford R. Ducharme, Winnipeg, Man.
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award

A driver for a wheelchair transportation service, Clifford Ducharme soon became known as someone who saw the person, not the disability. He married a woman with severe disabilities and encouraged her to continue her education and to become an advocate for people with disabilities. Together they founded an advocacy group called People in Equal Participation (PEP), which performs services for the disabled community that are often overlooked by larger organizations. Mr. Ducharme has devoted his life to helping others and encouraging them to participate in the larger community.