Award Recipient

Avana Capital Corporation is a key player in generating public discourse on urban renewal so that issues like a new deal for cities, public housing, transit, sustainable development and new financing are now commonplace. Avana showed exemplary leadership when it convened the first Ideas that Matter conference to advocate on behalf of urban regions for more control over their destinies. The conference was "a marvelous forum for effective urban rabble rousing," says nominator, Joe Berridge. Subsequently, related forums and publications have paved the way for a new city charter for Toronto, and a joint strategy among urban mayors for city autonomy.

Elyse Allan is a formidable leader and true champion of Canada's largest city. As President and CEO of the Toronto Board of Trade, her vision and guidance helped shape the Board's grassroots campaign, Enough of Not Enough. Elyse engaged a powerful coalition of individuals, corporations and the media in urging the government to reallocate tax dollars to Toronto's crumbling infrastructure: roads and highways, the TTC, affordable housing and the waterfront. The campaign resonated across the country and helped make investment in our cities a national priority.

Jack Diamond is an internationally renowned architect and leader in urban design. He received the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada's Gold Medal in 2001 and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1996. Berkeley Castle, Metro Central YMCA, Beverley Place, Jerusalem City Hall campus, the Foreign Ministry for the State of Israel, Jerusalem, the JCC Manhattan and currently the Canadian Opera House, which is under construction, are some of the projects in which he has been engaged. Jack continues to be involved in shaping the city's neighborhoods and the waterfront.

David Pecaut is a man of action and vision, a high profile, driving force in addressing issues affecting the quality of life in Toronto. David has provided much needed leadership as Chair of The Toronto City Summit Alliance, a coalition of civic leaders whose mandate has been to create an action plan for revitalizing the GTA in transportation, the economy, our social infrastructure, the arts and culture. Tireless in his efforts, he has also helped to found three highly successful enterprises: the Canadian eBusiness Roundtable, Career Edge and Toronto based company, iFormation Group.

TD Bank Financial Group - Can a bank be a catalyst for change? In its special report, A Choice Between Investing in Canada's Cities or Disinvesting in Canada's Future, TD Bank has brought national attention to the problems faced by Canada's cities by calling for a new deal from government to ensure adequate funding for infrastructure and essential services in our metropolitan areas. TD Bank's leadership on this issue has the potential to improve the quality of life for almost 20 million urban Canadians.

CITY ENGAGEMENT
Contributions that enlist community, government and corporate support to provide services and promote attitudinal change through social action and public participation.

Anne Golden is a passionate "mover and shaker" described by Toronto Life as one of the "Eight Best People in Metropolitan Toronto." Amongst her many accomplishments, Anne has been instrumental in reshaping public policy, addressing property tax and assessment reforms, the issue of homelessness, regional planning and governance. Known as a superb fundraiser during her tenure at the United Way, Anne encouraged colleagues and volunteers to consider a better future - and then, with humour, intelligence, energy and determination, set about making it happen.

The Carpenters' Local Union 27 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Trust Fund Inc. (TTF) provides carpentry apprenticeship and upgrade skills training to thousands of young - and sometimes disadvantaged - students at its Training Centre. The TTF has created a vital presence in Toronto through its proactive, innovative, and highly successful partnerships with community-based organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Eva's Phoenix, The Toronto Breakfast Club, Native Child and a host of others.

Rahul Raj is an exemplary young leader whose courage, perseverance and vision are behind Meal Exchange, an organization that engages Canadian students in addressing local hunger. Regarded by TIME Magazine as "revolutionary" and one of our leading social entrepreneurs, Rahul has made possible the donation of 200,000 meals from students at 45-post secondary campuses across the country. His hope is to help students change their world through student solutions to social problems on a local and global level. His dream is a hunger-free Canadian population.

United Way of Greater Toronto has had a far-reaching and extraordinary impact on our community, engaging an estimated 20,000 volunteers who help raise and distribute funding to 200 social and health service agencies. Whether giving young children a healthy start, addressing hunger and homelessness, helping newcomers to settle or supporting families, seniors, the disabled, abused women and their children, this organization continues to create a lasting legacy throughout its 48-year history.

YMCA of Greater Toronto - North America's largest YMCA and Canada's sixth largest charity, the Y is a major contributor to the social fiber of the GTA. Founded in 1853, it continues to be relevant, seeing concerns and conflicts in our communities not just as problems to be fixed, but also as opportunities for people to grow, learn, imagine and act. The YMCA is the one place where virtually everyone can be involved and no one is turned away due to economic circumstances. Last year, over 26,000 people received financial assistance to participate in its programs. As Mayor Hazel McCallion said of its recent 150th anniversary, "My sincere hope is that the YMCA is around for another 150 years!"

Yonge Street Mission meets the needs of the inner city poor, working to break systemic cycles of poverty and empowering people to help themselves. Last year, over 141,000 visits were made - from infants in daycare, homeless and street-involved youth who seek healthcare and employment programs, to seniors in their 90's attending advocacy and meal programs. These services are essential in a community where over 87% live in apartments, 37% of families earn less than $20,000 per year, 29% are single parent families, and at least 98 countries of origin are represented. The Yonge Street Mission celebrates its 100th Anniversary in 2004.

CITY LIVABILITY
The actions that make our cities more livable - from healthcare, education the environment and public spaces - to our sense of safety and security.

Toronto Public Library (TPL) is the busiest public library in North America - second only to Hong Kong's in the world. TPL's 98 branches circulate over 30 million items annually and welcome over 18 million visitors each year, more than the Air Canada Centre, the CN Tower, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Royal Ontario Museum combined! TPL maintains active collections in over 40 languages, support for newcomers, children's programs and Internet services and plays an important role in the social development, cultural landscape and economic growth of the City's individuals, businesses and neighbourhoods.

The Black Business and Professional Association is a dynamic source of funding, inspiration, role modelling and recognition for the African Canadian community thereby making a significant difference to its quality of life. The annual Harry Jerome Scholarship Foundation and Awards (named in honour of Canada's premier track athlete of the 60s) are helping to advance the education and career potential of hundreds of students in many disciplines including science, health, education and sports. Over two decades, 300 students have received more than $500,000 in scholarships.

George Brown - The Toronto City College has succeeded in weaving itself into the economic and social fabric of Toronto by working with business, government and the community to identify the key sectors driving its growth. The College then matches its programs to educate and train an innovative and creative job ready talent pool. George Brown has distinguished itself in health and social services, creative arts, hospitality and tourism, technology and business programs, as well as the burgeoning field of digital media design.

Vern Harper - Despite abuse, isolation, and a myriad of other negative influences, this Urban Elder has turned a painful past into a teaching tool that helps the people of his Native community on their healing journeys.
A medicine man, teacher and guide, Vern has advised and counseled thousands, remaining true to aboriginal traditions and values. A Canadian veteran, Vern is also the Resident Elder to the Toronto Métis Council. Through Vern's leadership he has helped to foster better cooperation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginals within the community.

The Metropolitan Action Committee on Public Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC) -Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2004, METRAC is a dynamic advocate for the right of women, youth and children to enjoy safety and security in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities. This work includes public education, legal training, safety audits, community and government consultation on issues of violence and safety. The resulting changes and policy reform include passage of criminal harassment legislation, TTC Designated Waiting Areas and late night Request Stop Programs, plus safety standards for lighting and signage underground.

Jim Richards/General Motors of Canada Limited/Friends of Second Marsh - It takes an environmental activist, unparalleled corporate citizenry, and an involved community to protect, preserve, restore and shepherd the largest (300 acres) remaining coastal wetland in the GTA, known as Second Marsh. For over 30 years, Jim Richards has been unfaltering in this cause. Together with the Friends of Second Marsh, they have worked to transform this vital resource into a waterfront jewel. Canada's largest corporation, General Motors of Canada Limited, was pivotal to this endeavor when it planned new corporate headquarters in Oshawa and then allocated half of its property to create the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve. The reserve links Second Marsh to Darlington Provincial Park, creating nearly 400 hectares of publicly accessible waterfront open space. In terms of natural heritage and recreational value, this is unique within the GTA. These three continue to partner together in plans for a new Great Lakes Wetlands Centre for which General Motors has recently donated a five-acre site.

CITY SOUL
Pursuits that inspire, inform, enrich and engage our collective spirits through the arts, entertainment, heritage programs, sport and recreation, cultural exchange or other initiatives.

Award Recipient

Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG) helps to mark Toronto as one of the premier international cultural centres for film, generating $67 million in economic impact, including $33 million in tourism into the city every year. Best known for the Toronto International Film Festival, TIFFG also enlivens local economies nationally and provides expansive resources to the public through the Film Circuit, Cinematheque Ontario and the Film Reference Library. In addition, it promotes film for all ages through Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children. Exemplary passion and leadership have led to TIFFG's latest venture, Festival Centre, a place to inspire, celebrate and illuminate the power of filmmaking.

Karen Black and Jane French - Professional expertise, personal instinct and creative thinking are behind Karen and Jane's successful collaboration to launch a Canadian first: Doors Open Toronto, now in its fifth year. In celebration of our heritage and great architecture, the two have brought together building owners, funding bodies, media sponsors, community volunteers and partners in this free "open door" event that drew 200,000 visitors in 2003. The success of Doors Open Toronto has given birth to Doors Open Ontario, a companion guidebook, and served as inspiration for the new Open House New York.

Richard Bradshaw - "Brilliant, wise, unswerving, committed, inspired, a genius!" Accolades like these have been ascribed to the director of the Canadian Opera Company, who is also an indefatigable champion of the arts and opera to all levels of government, the public and private sectors. Richard's productions have garnered world acclaim and in Toronto, burgeoning subscription sales among younger patrons reveal a continuing appreciation of his artistry. Under his direction, the COC is heading into its greatest endeavour yet: the construction of the company's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts and the production of Canada's first Ring Cycle, both opening in 2006.

Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) - For over 40 years, the JCCC has been a cultural, education and business hub for Japanese Canadians and the broader community. The Centre is a tribute to the Japanese immigrants who came to Canada in the early 1900s. Today, well over half of the Centre's membership is non-Japanese, who pursue diverse programming such as martial arts, traditional and contemporary culture, language training, through to culinary events, festivals and art and heritage exhibitions.

Eleanor Koldofsky - Inspired public service distinguishes Eleanor, now in her eighth decade. A self-educated business leader, published poet, triple Juno award winner and generous volunteer, she is known for her quiet, dogged determination as a champion of the arts and architecture. Her greatest passion has been the fight to preserve the historic seventh floor of Eaton's former College Street store. In that battle, The Toronto Star called Eleanor a "burr under the saddle" for anyone who stood in the way. Carlu, the revamped seventh floor, serves as a beacon of what happens when good people work to preserve the public good.