In political life I have been privileged to meet people from many different walks of life.
Political life involves helping people improve their lives and recognizing them for the contributions that they make. Through many different connections, change is managed and lives are transformed. New laws, policies, programs, services - all are managed and decided by government in cooperation with business and community leaders, residents, faith groups, and many others. Beyond the political arena which is the core of debate and decision-making there are many social/political events where we learn about each other and frequently we engage in charitable works. My slide show is a record of some of those moments.
As you watch the slide show, you might recognize some politicians such as: Past Prime Minister, Paul Martin or the current leader of the Federal New Democratic Party, Mr. Jack Layton. You will see the Past Federal Minister of the Environment, David Anderson, the longest serving Canadian Environment Minister who helped with funding to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine, and Richmond Hill’s longest serving Mayor, Bill Bell at the Richmond Hill Winter Carnival, or Past Mayor of Markham, Don Cousens who worked diligently with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to secure funding for an environmentally sustainable energy system for his community. Mr. Bill Fisch, Chair of the Region of York was there when the then Mayor of Vaughan Michael DiBiase; Federal Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty; Rona Ambrose, Federal Environment Minister; York Simcoe M.P. Peter Van Loan; and Past Mayor Don Cousens announced a tax break for transit users. This was a tax break which had been advocated by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for many years.
There are celebrities whom you will recognize from television: Toronto Argonaut football team head coach Michael 'Pinball' Clemons who was the keynote speaker at Richmond Hill’s Employee Appreciation Day 2006, is also a tremendous supporter of the Friends of the Argos’ Annual Charity picnic for disadvantaged children.
You will see Canadian actor and humanitarian, Tom Jackson who ‘rode the rails’ with me briefly as he raised awareness of the plight of the poor and disenfranchised across Canada. Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Wendel Clark is also there celebrating the opening of the York Region Children's Safety Village in Whitchurch-Stouffville.
Of course you will note my very special meeting in King Township in 2000 with Dr. David Suzuki. Dr. Suzuki was very generous in allowing me to use that photograph to promote my campaign to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine. His dedication to bringing science out of academia and into everyone’s living room is a tremendous contribution to Canadian society and his determination to change our individual and collective environmental footprint is truly inspirational.
