MONTRÉAL, May 8, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Announced by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, today British Columbians, Al Etmanski and Vickie Cammack will be appointed to the Order of Canada at a ceremony in Ottawa.
Al and Vickie founded the Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) in 1989 as a family-led organization to secure a better future for people living with disabilities. Since that time, they have been instrumental in numerous social innovations, both locally and nationally. Perhaps most notable among their achievements is the development of the Registered Disability Savings Plan, which was championed into being by the late Canadian Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty. Now an internationally replicated financial instrument, it follows their work with PLAN, working to secure financial independence for people living with a disability well into older age.
"There is perhaps nothing more important than to feel as though our lives matter, that we belong in our community and can contribute to its vitality," said Tim Draimin, Executive Director of Social Innovation Generation (SiG) National. "Al and Vickie have made it their life's work to create that sense of belonging for all Canadians. They have set a national agenda we can all rally behind."
Etmanski and Cammack's work on the RDSP was followed by the development of Tyze Personal Networks: an online tool that brings people together around someone receiving care. Tyze was a response to the other question that nagged them as parents – how do we create communities of belonging so that everyone feels they are cared for? Other work includes the Representation Agreement, the Family Support Institute, as well as valuable resources including Safe and Secure and A Good Life.
"Al and Vickie's thoughtfulness and quiet determination to make this country a nation of inclusion will have ripple effects for generations. We are hugely fortunate to work so closely with them to foster a culture of social innovation in Canada," said Stephen Huddart, President and CEO of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation.
Al Etmanski released a new book in April, Impact: 6 Patterns to Spread your Social Innovation, in which he champions our country's unique, grassroots methods of achieving social change. Drawing on stories from more than 50 Canadian trailblazers – including Me to We, Greenpeace and Idle No More – Al Etmanski explores essential steps required to change the status quo. Al will be speaking about this new resource in Toronto on the evening of Tuesday, May 12 at the MaRS Discovery District.
The Order of Canada is one of Canada's highest civilian honours. It recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.
ABOUT: SOCIAL INNOVATION GENERATION
SiG is a collaborative partnership founded by The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, the University of Waterloo, the MaRS Discovery District, and the PLAN Institute. Our ultimate goal is to support whole system change through changing the broader economic, cultural and policy context in Canada to allow social innovations to flourish. www.sigeneration.ca
ABOUT: THE J. W. MCCONNELL FAMILY FOUNDATION
Established in 1937, the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation engages Canadians in building a more innovative, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient society. The Foundation's purpose is to enhance Canada's ability to address complex social, environmental and economic challenges. We accomplish this by developing, testing, and applying innovative approaches and solutions; by strengthening the community sector; and by collaborating with partners in the community, private, and public sectors.
SOURCE J.W. McConnell Family Foundation
Image with caption: "Al Etmanski and Vickie Cammack (CNW Group/J.W. McConnell Family Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150508_C6518_PHOTO_EN_16381.jpg
For comments or interview opportunities, please contact: TORONTO, Geraldine Cahill, Manager, Programs and Partnerships, Social Innovation Generation (SiG) National, w: 647.260.7844, m: 416.566.5313, t: @sigeneration; MONTREAL, Laurence Miall, Director, Strategic Communications, The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, w: 514.288.1221, m: 438-878-1703, t: @jwmcconnell
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