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President's
Letter
Tommy Douglas’
Vision of Medicare Conference
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Dear Friend,
First I want to take
this opportunity to thank you for your continued support
of the Douglas-Coldwell Foundation. This past year has
seen a remarkable growth in our membership, activities,
and awards. None of this would have been possible without
the support of our members, the involvement of our Board
of Directors particularly our Treasurer Pat Kerwin,
and the able assistance of Doug Massey. This year marks
my 10th anniversary as President of the Douglas-Coldwell
Foundation and I have decided that this is the appropriate
time for me to step down as President. I do so knowing
the Foundation is stronger than ever. We have tripled
our membership in the last year alone. We have added
to our endowment fund and most importantly over the
last ten years we have awarded $300,000 of grants and
scholarships to support education and research in social
democracy in Canada. It has been my privilege to serve
as your President.
In 2006 following the
naming of Tommy Douglas as the Greatest Canadian, the
Douglas-Coldwell Foundation undertook two special projects.
The first was to create a DVD of Tommy’s greatest speeches.
Many of you will have received this with your commitment
to making a monthly contribution of $10 or more. Pat
Kerwin and Doug Massey are now undertaking another DVD
project of Tommy’s speeches in the House of Commons,
this one to be introduced by Ed Broadbent.
The second major undertaking
of the Foundation in 2006 was to award a $25,000 prize
to the project that best represented Tommy’s vision
for Canada. We announced the competition in March of
last year. We had many great applications. In the end
we came down to two finalists. Both were excellent and
we felt that both deserved our support. As a result
the Board decided to award both projects the $25,000
prize. The two projects that best embodied Tommy’s vision
of Canada are the Canadian Health Coalition in partnership
with National Anti-Poverty Organisation and the Canadian
Centre for Policy Alternatives for the holding of a
national health care conference SOS Medicare 2 to be
held in Saskatchewan this May. The second award of $25,000
went to the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee for its
1% Solution Campaign against homelessness. These fine
organisations contribute to the kind of Canada we want
to live in!
As I leave the Presidency
of the Douglas-Coldwell Foundation I want to thank everyone
who has worked with me over this past ten years. I know
our renewed Foundation will make a significant contribution
through promoting education and research in social democracy
in Canada for many years to come. Thank you for this
opportunity to serve.
In solidarity,
Tessa Hebb
President
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