Award Winners

Peel Children’s Aid Foundation is proud to recognize the contributions of Individuals and Corporations who have contributed to the quality of life of children in Peel Region.

The “William G. Davis Awards” are presented by Foundation Honourary Chair, the Honourable William G. Davis, at the Chances for Children Dinner.  IN addition to individuals and corporations who have improved the quality of life of children in Peel Region, a special “Children’s Champion” Award is presented to an individual who has improved the quality of life for children across Canada or around the world.

2007 Winners

"Children's Champion" Winner, Coach Michael "Pinball" Clemons

Michael "Pinball" Clemons began his career in the CFL in 1989.  After compiling a brilliant career with the Toronto Argonauts as a record-setting player, he became Head Coach of the Argos in 2002, leading the Argos to their first Grey Cup since 1997 in 2004, and the Division Title in 2005.

"Pinball" Clemon's dynamic personality, as electrifying as his game play, made him one of the most popular players in Argos history, but it was his remarkable record with local charities that turned him into a superstar. Coach Clemons has been recognized for his involvement with charities, schools and other community groups.  He is a sought-after motivational speaker and, as the father of three daughters knows very well the impact that strong adult role models can have on youth.

In 2005 he was an integral part of launching The Argos Foundation - Stop the Violence, formed in response to increasing gun violence in the GTA. "Stop the Violence" works to reduce gun violence; to empower youth through mentorship; to educate youth on the perils of gun and gang involvement; and to support youth-led violence intervention initiatives.

Michael "Pinball" Clemons is a man of unquestionable character and spirit. He is equally renowned for his impact as a motivational speaker and community leader as he is for his achievements on the football field.

Individual Winner - James "Jim" Murray

It would be difficult to imagine how the City of Mississauga would look without the four decades of  community leadership  provided by Jim Murray.  Born and raised in the community, After entering the business world in 1967, Jim became a leading businessman in Peel Region who is renowned for his community activism.  He currently sits on the Boards of the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board and Peel Children's Aid Foundation. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Living Arts Centre, Sheridan College and the Credit Valley Hospital and was a founding member of the  Peel Regional Housing Authority. He is a past President of the Kinsmen Club and was recognized as Kinsman of the Year.   He has been, and continues to be a fundraiser and supporter of a number community projects that benefit the lives of children, including Peel Children's Centre, Interim Place, the Peel Museum, the
Mississauga Canoe Club, Mississauga Garden Park, The Association for Community Living, and many other charities supporting children and youth in Peel Region.  He has been a member of the Mayor's Gala Committee in Mississauga for fifteen years and is also a member of the Committee of the Mayor's Gala for the Arts in Brampton.  Mr. Murray was awarded the Gordon S. Shipp Memorial Award in 1996 as  Mississauga's "Citizen of the Year" and received the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 2003 and the Order of Ontario in 2004.  In 2007, a Mississauga Park was named in Jim's honour as recognition of his
contributions to the community.

RBC Financial Group

"I believe that a company's actions speak louder than its words.  At RBC, corporate responsibility can be seen in how we govern our business integrity, have a positive economic impact, operate with integrity in the marketplace, provide a supportive workplace, support environmental sustainability, and contribute to communities."  - Gordon M. Nixon, President and CEO RBC Financial Group

RBC Financial Group made its first corporate donation in 1980, when it gave $250 to the Springhill Mine Accident Relief Fund, and since then it has led the way for Canadian corporate philanthropy.  RBC is committed to make a lasting social impact through inspired, responsible giving and by building strong partnerships with the charitable sector.  RBC is leading corporate donor in North America, investing more than $42 Million in direct donations and $41 Million in community sponsorships in 2006 alone.

RBC has always placed children and youth at the forefront of its donation programs.  RBC has been funding after-school programs that encourage children to stay in school since 1999, with more than $12.6 Million given through 395 grants to 139 different organizations that have helped more than 11,000 children over the past 8 years.  In addition to provide funding support, RBC encourages its employees to become involved with these programs through one-on-one mentorship, and other volunteer activities.  RBC also supports lifelong learning and has funded many scholarship programs, TVOntario's "Ask a Teacher" homework assistance website, Junior Achievement, the Learning Partnership, and many universities and cultural institutions. RBC is renowned in the charitable sector for electing to fund smaller, less high profile community organizations, despite the fact that this means less public recognition for RBC.  RBC's interest in child and adolescent mental health was demonstrated by the $1 Million donation to the Osler Health Centre for construction of clinical facilities specifically for this purpose.  Other children's organizations which have benefited from the generosity of RBC Financial Group and the RBC Foundation include Peel Children's Aid Foundation, the Brampton Arts Council, Big Brother Big Sisters of Peel, Boys and Girls Clubs of Peel, Teen Ranch in Caledon,  Child Development Resource Connection Peel, City of Mississauga Youth Week, Heart Touching Heart Ministries Youth Drop In Centre in Mississauga, Interim Place, and Peel Children's Centre.  RBC scored first place in the 2007 "Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada" ranking, according to Corporate Knights magazine.  The ranking is based on an evaluation of the environmental, social and corporate governance performance of Canada's leading companies.

2006 Winners:

Children’s Champion Award Winner: Stephen Lewis

Stephen Lewis was named McLean’s Magazines Canadian of the Year in 2003, but Ontarians have known he was someone special for many years before that. 

Passionate and determined, Stephen Lewis is a humanitarian who has worked to improve the human condition, both at home and abroad. Mr Lewis was leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party for eight years, during which time he became leader of the Official Opposition.  He also served as Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations from 1984 through 1988, where he chaired such groundbreaking committees as the Five-Year UN Programme on African Economic Recovery, and the first International Conference on Climate Change.

From 1995 to 1999, he served as the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF in New York, where he was a passionate spokesperson for UNICEF's advocacy of the rights and needs of children, especially children of the developing world. 

Until 2007, Mr. Lewis was the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, a position to which he was specially appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2001. Mr. Lewis is also a director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which is dedicated to easing the pain of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Stephen Lewis believes passionately in the importance of community in the lives of children and is a fierce advocate for the right to education, health care and accountability. 

Mr. Lewis is a Companion of the Order of Canada, our country’s highest honour for lifetime achievement. In 2003, Maclean’s magazine chose Mr. Lewis as their inaugural “Canadian of the Year”.

Admired by Canadians of all political ideologies, Stephen Lewis has garnered respect and attention internationally for the strength and eloquence with which he presents his convictions.  The topics which international governments, global business leaders, rock stars and other opinion leaders are beginning tackle now have been important to Stephen Lewis for many years, and he continues to light the way for all of us as he leads the globe in beginning to face the problems of the poverty-stricken people of Africa, the innocent victims of the ravages of HIV/Aids, particularly orphaned children, and the disadvantaged all over the world.  Peel Children’s Aid Foundation was proud to recognize Stephen Lewis as the recipient of the 2006 “Children’s Champion” Award.

Individual Winner: Chief Noel Catney

Noel Catney began his career with the Mississauga Police in 1970 and became a member of Peel Regional Police upon amalgamation in 1974.  Chief Catney led the third largest municipal police service in Canada with 1,641 uniformed members and 604 police support staff. Peel Regional Police maintains policing services for the cities of Brampton and Mississauga, including Pearson International Airport.
Chief Catney’s career spanned the entire history of Peel Regional Police. When the service was formed in 1974, he was an investigator with #11 Division. He subsequently moved to the Morality Bureau and was then transferred to the Homicide Bureau and the Intelligence Services Bureau.  Subsequently, he was promoted to Staff Inspector.  The Chief was elevated to Superintendent in 1991 and then promoted to Staff Superintendent, responsible for managing the four operations divisions. In this role, he assisted in implementing the Peel Regional Police spousal and child abuse protocols, which are uniformly viewed as a model for police services in North America.

Chief Catney served as Staff Superintendent until being appointed Deputy Chief of Police in June, 1996. Following 27 years of distinguished service, he was appointed Chief of Peel Regional Police on April 24, 1997, a position he filled with distinction until his retirement in 2005.

Chief Catney is a renowned proponent of "Community Based Policing" and under his leadership, the service introduced a number of programs – Pure Patrol, Youth Education and Street Crime initiatives. The Community Station, Bike Patrol, School Liaison, and Safety Village initiatives all grew under his tenure.  The Chief’s administration also reflected a sincere commitment to addressing the critical issues of diversity within the Region of Peel.

Chief Catney has always worked hard to ensure the safety and security of children in Peel Region.  From his personal leadership with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation to his Honourary Chairmanship of Peel Children’s Aid Society’s Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, his support of initiatives to improve the lives and safety of Peel’s children, increase opportunities for youth and improve the relationship between the Police and young people all combine to make him an ideal candidate for the William G Davis Individual Award.  Peel Children’s Aid Foundation was proud to recognize Chief Noel Catney for his contributions to the quality of life for children in Peel Region.

Corporate Winner: Microsoft Canada

Microsoft is committed to being a responsible industry partner, working with businesses, communities, and governments to help advance social and economic well-being and to enable people around the world to realize their full potential.

Microsoft Canada supports charities nation-wide, but has a particularly strong presence in Peel Region.  Microsoft Canada’s charitable interests focus on improving the lives of children and youth through their “I CAN” community programs.  These programs empower children and youth to realize their own potential through technology, learning, community and the support of Microsoft employees in ways that are socially enriching and life-altering.

Microsoft Canada donates software licenses to Computers for Learning and reBOOT.  These refurbished, ready-to-use computers are donated to schools, charities and other child-oriented agencies throughout the country, including The Boys and Girls Club of Peel.  As a national sponsor of “Raise a Reader”, Microsoft donates software to literacy organizations across Canada. They also support various child welfare organizations by providing software for computers, and provided the software to equip the “Cyber Bus”, a program of Metro Children’s Aid which travels around the GTA. 

Microsoft Canada is a major supporter of the United Way of Peel Region and children’s charities in Peel.  Microsoft Canada has a program entitled “I Volunteer” which encourages all staff members to use company time to volunteer for charities of their choice. In 2004 Microsoft was nominated by the Volunteer Centre of Peel for the first annual Corporate Sun Award for encouraging employee volunteerism in Peel Region.

Peel Children’s Aid Foundation pays particular tribute to Microsoft Canada for their tremendous achievement in developing the Child Exploitation Tracking System (CETS).  Microsoft Canada worked with several police organizations, including the RCMP, the Toronto Police Service and Peel Regional Police, to develop the Child Exploitation Tracking System (CETS), a made-in-Canada software solution to help police combat on-line child exploitation, and make the internet safer for children.  CETS assists law-enforcement officials in their work to stop the exploitation of children on the Internet by enabling effective collaboration and providing a set of advanced software tools and technologies for use by investigators.   Microsoft Canada has offered to equip any police force nation-wide with a child exploitation unit with this system free of charge.  The CETS system tracked its first pedophile during its test phase in 2004 and has been instrumental in the arrest of many child pornographers nationwide since its launch in 2005.

Peel Children’s Aid Foundation was proud to recognize Microsoft Canada for their support of children in Peel Region and across the country with the 2006 Corporate “William G. Davis” Award.

2005 Winners:

JUNE CALLWOOD – “CHILDREN’S CHAMPION AWARD”

June Callwood was a catalyst for social justice and change from the 1960’s until right before she passed away in 2007. Having experienced a poverty-stricken and insecure childhood, she developed into a tireless advocate for children, battered women, those living with AIDS, people living in poverty, teenage mothers, and many other marginalized groups.

One of June Callwood’s major concerns was the issue of child poverty, and she worked tirelessly to bring this issue to the attention of the provincial government. Ms. Callwood was a constant voice against oppression and spoke for social equality and social justice. Her work has improved the quality of life for families, not just in Peel Region, but across the country.

Callwood appeared in a fundraising video for Peel Children’s Aid Foundation in the year before she passed away. Despite her battle with cancer, her age (82), and her many other obligations, she had no hesitations in offering her services to Peel Children’s Aid, knowing that her influence would help raise the organization’s profile and assist vulnerable children in Peel Region.

BARBARA UNDERHILL – INDIVIDUAL AWARD

Since the founding of the “Stephanie Gaetz KEEPSAFE Foundation” in 1998 in honour of their daughter Stephanie who drowned in 1993, Barbara Underhill and her husband Rick Gaetz have raised over $1 million for education into swimming and fire safety programs to keep children safe.

The Foundation has funded “Stephanie’s Place” at the Fire/Life Safety Education Centre in Brampton; the development and Peel-wide distribution of pool safety videos; a partnership with the Lifesaving Society to create the “Swim to Survive” Standard to teach children the minimum standard for swimming ability; early sponsorship of “Safe Kids Canada”, the national injury prevention program of the Hospital for Sick Children; swimming lessons for children whose families could not afford them and many other programs.

Barbara Underhill turned her own personal tragedy into a lifelong commitment to prevent other parents from experiencing the same kind of grief when a senseless accident seriously harms or kills a child.  Her efforts in memory of Stephanie Gaetz have helped thousands of children in Peel region and across the country.

CANADIAN TIRE – CORPORATE AWARD

Canadian Tire Corporation established the Canadian Tire Foundation for Families in 1999 to “provide a helping hand to families in need by ensuring life’s basic needs are met.” To date, the Foundation has donated more than $17 million to community organizations that help families in need.  Much of this funding has come from donations and fundraising from Canadian Tire employees and their families.

In addition to providing funding through the Foundation, Canadian Tire Corporation encourages its employees to become involved in their local communities, through volunteer work, and by directing their own donations to local charities. Canadian Tire also encourages its local Dealer Association councils to become involved in local community organizations and there are three different levels of support for charities which benefit families in the community.
 
From 2002 to 2004, the total donated to Peel Charities by Canadian Tire employees, through direct donations to the Canadian Tire Foundation for Families and special fundraising events, was over $850,000. In 2005 they expect to donate a total of $400,000 to their eight charities in Peel.

The Canadian Tire Foundation for Families recently launched the “Jump Start” Program, to support individual children in the community who are unable to otherwise access organized sports. This program means children can work towards the future that they may have dreamed about but considered impossible to achieve.