It has been a challenging year for Canadians. Yet this would have been an even greater challenge without the countless contributions made by volunteers, not-for-profit organizations, social enterprises and businesses across the country to support and strengthen our communities.
August 13, 2021 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development CanadaIt has been a challenging year for Canadians. Yet this would have been an even greater challenge without the countless contributions made by volunteers, not-for-profit organizations, social enterprises and businesses across the country to support and strengthen our communities.
Today, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Ahmed Hussen, announced the 21 recipients of Canada’s Volunteer Awards for 2020.
Each year, Canada’s Volunteer Awards present 20 regional awards and one national award. The national Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award is presented to one individual who has demonstrated a dedication to volunteering for at least 20 years. The 20 regional awards are awarded to five regional recipients in each of the following four categories: Emerging Leader, Business Leader, Community Leader and Social Innovator.
In addition to being nationally recognized, the award recipients identify a not-for-profit organization to receive a grant. Regional award recipients can identify a not-for-profit organization to receive a $5,000 grant, and the national award recipient can identify a not-for-profit organization to receive a $10,000 grant.
  We are pleased to share this year’s recipients in the following categories and regions:
 National award  Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement
Dr. Francis Ho
 Regional awards  Emerging Leader
Jimy Andrés Beltrán Caraballo – Atlantic
 Sandrine Dupuis – Quebec
 Tommy and Lewis Han – Ontario
 Robyn Ham – Prairies
 Navjit Moore – British Columbia and the North
 Business Leader
 Assomption Vie – Atlantic
 StimuleArts – Quebec
 Siemens Canada Limited – Ontario
 Canpotex Limited – Prairies
 Odlum Brown Limited – British Columbia and the North
 Community Leader
 Esther (Joy) Saunders – Atlantic
 Jean-Pierre Langevin – Quebec
 Dr. Karl Stobbe – Ontario
 Gurmit Kaur Sarpal – Prairies
 Shelagh Armour-Godbolt – British Columbia and the North
 Social Innovator
 The Gathering Place Inc. – Atlantic
 Regroupement pour la Trisomie 21 – Quebec
 Skills for Change of Metro Toronto – Ontario
 Resource Assistance for Youth, Inc. – Prairies
 NWT Disabilities Council – British Columbia and the North
“Congratulations to this year’s Canada’s Volunteer Award recipients, who have been an integral part of keeping Canadian communities engaged and supported throughout the the pandemic We owe all volunteers across Canada a massive ‘thank you’ for all they have done. Congratulations again to this year’s award recipients.”
– Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Ahmed Hussen


