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Norm McLeod Awards
City of Edmonton: 2007 Community Contribution Award
Edmonton leads by example
| Edmonton City Council truly values, promotes and facilitates opportunities for all citizens to fully participate in the life of the community. To that end, the Council has enacted initiatives that have greatly enhanced the quality of life for persons with disabilities, presenting ever more opportunities for full community inclusion. A couple of years ago, an outstanding example of such an initiative was introduced by the civic administration. |
Edmonton, Alberta’s Capital City, is alive with energy and with boundless opportunities for growth. Above all, Edmonton is an inclusive community, thanks to the efforts of a visionary City Council, led by Mayor Stephen Mandel. |
| The initiative saw a significant cost reduction of transit passes for persons on AISH. This cost reduction has made it possible for many persons with disabilities to enjoy greater access to travel throughout the city to participate in all manner of activities. | |
A more recent example of an exciting initiative that enriched Edmonton 's reputation as a disability friendly city involves Edmonton 's recreational facilities. Persons living with disabilities and limited means now have free access to the city's many impressive recreational facilities. This initiative has been life-changing for many persons with disabilities from a health point-of-view and from a lifestyle perspective.
Mayor Stephen Mandel stands out as a civic leader who firmly believes in the notion that the strength of a community is enriched when everyone matters, when all are afforded opportunities to share their gifts. He has shown great interest in, and support for, the Nina Haggarty Centre. This Centre is a place where persons with developmental disabilities can express and share with the community their gifts of artistic expression.
Wendy Hollo, Director of the Nina Haggerty Gallery, says “Mayor Mandel has been a key supporter of the Centre and it's collective of artists with developmental disabilities. Describing the Centre as a ‘civic treasure,' he named it as co-recipient of the funds raised at the 2006 Mayor's Evening for the Arts . . .” Testimonials such as this underscore the fact that Mayor Mandel and Edmonton City Council certainly have a keen appreciation for the value that is added to the community by persons with disabilities. Ms. Hollo's testimonial also underscores the Mayor's personal commitment to provide the type of leadership that has made Edmonton a great place for people of all abilities to call home.
There's no question, Edmonton is growing ever more inclusive with each exciting new City Council initiative. Mayor Stephen Mandel and Edmonton City Council are clearly worthy recipients of the Norm McLeod Community Contribution Award.