• Awarded on: December 4, 2003

Jean L. Gagnon, Sturgeon Falls, Ontario
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award

Today, thanks to more than 50 years of tenacious effort by Jean Gagnon, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board compensates people with occupational diseases. A vocal advocate for fellow workers living with cancer, Mr. Gagnon not only secured for them millions of dollars in compensation and pensions, but also recommended and spearheaded the creation of the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre, thus allowing patients to receive their treatment closer to home. Despite his own health problems, Mr. Gagnon continues to work for the poor and the sick in his community.