Honourable senators, on September 5, with our colleague Senator Ratna Omidvar present, our Antigonish community gathered in the Coady International Institute’s Dennis Hall at St. Francis Xavier University, or StFX, to celebrate 19 of our fellow citizens as they were awarded King Charles III Coronation Medals for their exemplary contributions to our community.

I was delighted to present medals to Brent Bannerman, for leadership in music education and production of community musical theatre; Laurie Boucher, for service as mayor and leadership on renewable energy and collaboration with Paqtnkek and the county; Elizabeth Brennan, for founding and leading Arts Health Antigonish, launching over 40 arts-for-health programs; Colleen Cameron, for leadership on poverty reduction and the Antigonish Affordable Housing Society; John Chiasson, for founding and leading Keppoch, a four-season mountain and lake recreation hub; Sally Clark, for 40 years of leadership with the Antigonish Creative Dance Association, providing an inclusive and affordable dance program for children and youth; Randy Crouse, for leadership in promoting accessibility in sport as coordinator for Challenger Baseball Antigonish, Challenger Baseball Nova Scotia and Challenger Baseball Canada; Terena Francis, for community leadership in Paqtnkek and supporting the success of Indigenous students at StFX; Murray Gibson, for service to L’Arche and for leadership in the Hearts & Hands program which uses the arts to build community; Tareq Hadhad, for his leadership as CEO of Peace by Chocolate and his efforts to promote hope and tolerance; Jyotsna Jain, for her leadership role in creatively and generously welcoming newcomers; Mary MacLellan, for her 32 years as county councillor and community leadership in Arisaig and Cape George; Owen McCarron, County Warden, for 30 years of service to council working to improve accessibility, infrastructure and the economy; Lorraine Reddick, for her leadership in cultural awareness in helping students of African descent succeed; Colette Rennie, for 20 years of leadership with the Société de Développement de Pomquet; Diane Roberts, for 26 years of service to the town council and many community organizations; Steve Smith, for his leadership in business as a generous philanthropist and role model; Oliver Storseth, for creating Unified at X, bringing individuals with disabilities together with StFX students to engage in sports and having fun; and Casey Van de Sande, for leadership in agriculture, the dairy industry and the Antigonish Farmers’ Market. Michael Steinitz of Antigonish Performing Arts will be celebrated later.

The contributions of these exemplary citizens are worthy of our praise.

It was my honour to recognize and celebrate this impressive assembly of good people doing good things for the good of others.

Colleagues, please join me in congratulating them all.