MPP Dr. Eric Hoskins Awards 14 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals
Local Citizens Honoured For Contributions to St. Paul’s, Ontario, and Canada
Dr. Eric Hoskins, Member of Provincial Parliament for St. Paul’s awarded Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals to 14 citizens who have made exceptional contributions to their communities, their province, and their country. The medals were awarded at a ceremony at the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park.
“I am proud to celebrate the outstanding contributions of the 14 citizens receiving the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals today,” said Dr. Eric Hoskins, MPP. “They are community leaders who have done so much to improve the lives of those around them. Today, as we recognize the importance of service to others and to our province as a whole, let us all recommit to our common goal of making our city, our province, and our country a better place.”
The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal pays special tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s sixty years on the throne and honours her life-long commitment to service, by recognizing those who have made significant contributions to Ontario and Canada.
The 14 recipients recognized today are:
Courtney Betty
A former Crown Attorney, Mr. Betty established a law office in the Oakwood & Vaughan area serving diverse communities in over 20 languages. He is also the founder of the Diversity Business Network.
Kathy Biasi
Ms. Biasi is a community leader who has dedicated her life to reducing social isolation, boosting nutrition and helping develop life skills among homeless and socially isolated people through her 25 years of service at Wychwood Open Door.
Brendan Caldwell
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, Mr. Caldwell also serves his community on the Board of Trustees of Wycliffe College, as a member of Corporation of Trinity College, a Trustee of Bishop Strachan School, and a Campaign Cabinet member for Neshama Playground.
John Legge
A member of the Ontario Bar Association’s Estate and Family Law Sections, the Medico-Legal Society of Toronto, the Royal Canadian Military Institute, and the 48th Highlanders Officers Association, Mr. Legge is a recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration and a Toronto Police Civilian Citation.
Harvey Manning
An advocate and community leader on behalf of Aboriginal peoples, Mr. Manning was pivotal in establishing Native Men’s Residence (Na-Me-Res) as a leader in providing a home to 60 homeless Native men where traditional Native culture and values are embraced.
Stan Mutulingam
An original member of the Advisory Council of Canadian Human Rights Voice, Mr. Mutulingam is a recipient of the 10th Anniversary Award from the People’s Association of Chunnakam in Canada and a supporter of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance and the Canadian Tamil Film Festival.
Peter O’Brian
An award-winning Canadian film producer and former Executive Director of the Canadian Film Centre, Mr. O’Brian served on the Board of the Toronto International Film Festival. In his current position as Chair of TVO and part of the team that has ensured the success of TVO, he continues to make an outstanding contribution to cinema and television arts in Canada.
Susan Poizner
Founder and driving force behind Growing for Green, an organization that advocates urban gardening, Ms. Poizner was instrumental in the creation of Toronto’s first urban orchard in Ben Nobleman Park.
Paulette Senior
Currently the CEO of YWCA Canada, Ms. Senior has established herself as community leader and advocate through her work with organizations such as Yellow Brick House, the Malvern Family Resource Centre, the Police Race Relations Monitoring Board, the College of Occupational Therapists and the Centre for Social Justice.
Metta Spencer
An award-winning sociologist, writer and peace activist, Ms. Spencer has long been active in the disarmament and peace movements. She is the founder of the University of Toronto’s Peace and Conflict Studies program where she taught from 1989 until her retirement in 1997.
Lisa Tobio
An integral part of the York-Fairbank Centre for Seniors for over 20 years, Ms. Tobio helps seniors stay physically active and engaged in their community, and maintain social relationships after losing a life partner.
K’naan
A Juno Award-winning singer, songwriter, rapper and poet, K’naan has inspired millions internationally through his art and activism. His support for humanitarian causes both in Canada and abroad is rooted in his experience emigrating from Somalia during its civil war to the Toronto neighbourhood of Rexdale.
Albert Wiggan
Mr. Wiggan is a community leader and entrepreneur. Owner of Albert’s Real Jamaican Foods for over 30 years, he is also the recipient of a Harry Jerome Award given by the Black Business and Professional Association.
Bob Wong
The first Chinese-Canadian Provincial Cabinet Minister, Mr. Wong was appointed to cabinet on September 29, 1987, as Minister of Energy, and subsequently served as Minister of Citizenship responsible for race relations, multiculturalism and the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
LEARN MORE
Find more information at the Governor General’s website.
Watch the Premier talk about the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Find out about other Ontario honours or awards programs.
Dr. Eric Hoskins, Member of Provincial Parliament for St. Paul’s awarded Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals to 14 citizens who have made exceptional contributions to their communities, their province, and their country. The medals were awarded at a ceremony at the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park.
“I am proud to celebrate the outstanding contributions of the 14 citizens receiving the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medals today,” said Dr. Eric Hoskins, MPP. “They are community leaders who have done so much to improve the lives of those around them. Today, as we recognize the importance of service to others and to our province as a whole, let us all recommit to our common goal of making our city, our province, and our country a better place.”
The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal pays special tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s sixty years on the throne and honours her life-long commitment to service, by recognizing those who have made significant contributions to Ontario and Canada.
The 14 recipients recognized today are:
Courtney Betty
A former Crown Attorney, Mr. Betty established a law office in the Oakwood & Vaughan area serving diverse communities in over 20 languages. He is also the founder of the Diversity Business Network.
Kathy Biasi
Ms. Biasi is a community leader who has dedicated her life to reducing social isolation, boosting nutrition and helping develop life skills among homeless and socially isolated people through her 25 years of service at Wychwood Open Door.
Brendan Caldwell
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, Mr. Caldwell also serves his community on the Board of Trustees of Wycliffe College, as a member of Corporation of Trinity College, a Trustee of Bishop Strachan School, and a Campaign Cabinet member for Neshama Playground.
John Legge
A member of the Ontario Bar Association’s Estate and Family Law Sections, the Medico-Legal Society of Toronto, the Royal Canadian Military Institute, and the 48th Highlanders Officers Association, Mr. Legge is a recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration and a Toronto Police Civilian Citation.
Harvey Manning
An advocate and community leader on behalf of Aboriginal peoples, Mr. Manning was pivotal in establishing Native Men’s Residence (Na-Me-Res) as a leader in providing a home to 60 homeless Native men where traditional Native culture and values are embraced.
Stan Mutulingam
An original member of the Advisory Council of Canadian Human Rights Voice, Mr. Mutulingam is a recipient of the 10th Anniversary Award from the People’s Association of Chunnakam in Canada and a supporter of the Canadian Tamil Youth Alliance and the Canadian Tamil Film Festival.
Peter O’Brian
An award-winning Canadian film producer and former Executive Director of the Canadian Film Centre, Mr. O’Brian served on the Board of the Toronto International Film Festival. In his current position as Chair of TVO and part of the team that has ensured the success of TVO, he continues to make an outstanding contribution to cinema and television arts in Canada.
Susan Poizner
Founder and driving force behind Growing for Green, an organization that advocates urban gardening, Ms. Poizner was instrumental in the creation of Toronto’s first urban orchard in Ben Nobleman Park.
Paulette Senior
Currently the CEO of YWCA Canada, Ms. Senior has established herself as community leader and advocate through her work with organizations such as Yellow Brick House, the Malvern Family Resource Centre, the Police Race Relations Monitoring Board, the College of Occupational Therapists and the Centre for Social Justice.
Metta Spencer
An award-winning sociologist, writer and peace activist, Ms. Spencer has long been active in the disarmament and peace movements. She is the founder of the University of Toronto’s Peace and Conflict Studies program where she taught from 1989 until her retirement in 1997.
Lisa Tobio
An integral part of the York-Fairbank Centre for Seniors for over 20 years, Ms. Tobio helps seniors stay physically active and engaged in their community, and maintain social relationships after losing a life partner.
K’naan
A Juno Award-winning singer, songwriter, rapper and poet, K’naan has inspired millions internationally through his art and activism. His support for humanitarian causes both in Canada and abroad is rooted in his experience emigrating from Somalia during its civil war to the Toronto neighbourhood of Rexdale.
Albert Wiggan
Mr. Wiggan is a community leader and entrepreneur. Owner of Albert’s Real Jamaican Foods for over 30 years, he is also the recipient of a Harry Jerome Award given by the Black Business and Professional Association.
Bob Wong
The first Chinese-Canadian Provincial Cabinet Minister, Mr. Wong was appointed to cabinet on September 29, 1987, as Minister of Energy, and subsequently served as Minister of Citizenship responsible for race relations, multiculturalism and the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
LEARN MORE
Find more information at the Governor General’s website.
Watch the Premier talk about the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Find out about other Ontario honours or awards programs.