Government of Canada announces the Call for Nominations for the volunteer award

Ottawa, November 15, 2005—Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, today called upon Canadians to submit nominations for the Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award. Volunteer organizations and Canadians are being encouraged to recognize individuals who have made a lifetime commitment to volunteering.

"Thérèse Casgrain believed that the real measure of a society is the way it cares for its most vulnerable members. To celebrate our volunteer achievements, I encourage Canadians to nominate people whose determination and dedication have demonstrated the power that each of us has to improve our communities,” said Minister Ken Dryden.

Each year, the Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award is presented to one man and one woman who, through their advancement of a social cause and the well-being of their fellow citizens, have made meaningful contributions to the community.

The award was established to commemorate the work of Thérèse Casgrain, the force behind various social reforms and an ardent advocate of justice and equality. She was involved in provincial, national and international organizations. As founder and President of the Quebec League of Women’s Rights, Thérèse Casgrain helped Quebec women gain the right to vote in 1940 and was instrumental in making Quebec women the beneficiaries of family allowance cheques.

Last year’s recipients of the award were June Callwood of Toronto, Ontario and Ashraf Ghanem of Fredericton, New Brunswick. June Callwood has worked tirelessly for human rights issues, civil liberties concerns and the eradication of child poverty. Ashraf Ghanem is a volunteer with the Multicultural Association of Fredericton. His involvement with local and provincial multicultural associations has led to new policy and programming.

The Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award consists of a bronze medallion, a lapel pin, a certificate of appreciation and a $5,000 donation to the registered voluntary organization designated by each recipient.

To find more about the Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award visit www.sdc.gc.ca or call 1 866 468-4377. The deadline for nominations is February 1, 2006.

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This news release and backgrounder are available in alternative formats upon request. Call 1 800 788-8282 on a touchtone phone or a teletypewriter (TTY).

For more information, please contact:

Sarah Bain
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Social Development
(613) 941-0766

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110

Website: www.sdc.gc.ca

BACKGROUNDER

2006 Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award

About the Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award

Thérèse Casgrain, a native of Montréal, was the force behind various social reforms promoting justice and equality. She was involved in provincial, national and international organizations and was one of the pioneers of the women's rights movement in Canada. She was an eminent Canadian whose actions continue to serve as an example to all.

The Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award is presented annually to two Canadians, one man and one woman. It recognizes the voluntary contributions of individuals from communities across Canada whose pioneering spirit, social commitment and persistent endeavours have contributed significantly to the advancement of a social cause and the well-being of their fellow citizens.

The award consists of:

• a bronze medallion bearing the likeness of Thérèse Casgrain;
• a lapel pin and a certificate of recognition; and
• $5,000 to be awarded to a Canadian voluntary organization designated by the recipient.

The Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award is open to all Canadian citizens, with the exception of members of the Thérèse F. Casgrain Foundation, elected officials of government while serving in office, past recipients of the award and employees of Social Development Canada. Nominees may be sponsored by an organization or three individuals.

To find more about the Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award visit www.sdc.gc.ca or call 1 866 468-4377 or 1 800 788-8282 on a touchtone phone or a teletypewriter (TTY).

The deadline for nominations is February 1, 2006.