210100 FINAL gala'21_Layout 1 21-01-28 2:00 PM Page 1 FEBRUARY 2021 MAGAZINE 210100 FINAL gala'21_Layout 1 21-01-28 2:00 PM Page 2 Deloitte is a proud supporter of the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, and celebrates its 37th annual Great Valentine Gala. www.deloitte.ca © Deloitte LLP and a f f iliated entities. 210100 FINAL gala'21_Layout 1 21-01-28 2:01 PM Page 3 ZÜxtà itÄxÇà|ÇxZtÄt IN THIS ISSUE WhyNot. Magazine / FEBRUARY 2021 Published by the Canadian Foundation A Gala Welcome for Physically Disabled Persons, 5 6 Garamond Court, Suite 265, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1Z5 A Gala Celebration Telephone (416) 760-7351 6 Welcome to the 37th annual Great Valentine Gala Fax (416) 760-9405 E-Mail: [email protected] in support of Canadians who live with disability Web: www.cfpdp.com facebook.com/cffpdp Leading by Example twitter.com/cffpdp Announcing our Corporate Award Winner: The Globe and Mail 10 www.linkedin.com/cfpdp www.instagram.com/cfpdp The 2021 King Clancy Award Publisher: Deb Lewis 11 The CFPDP honours Dave Dame Editor: Christine Payne Publication Coordinator: Rob Ham A Gala Salute Design & Production: Craig Allen Meet Elisabeth and Randall Linton, 13 Printing: Thompson Printing, Paris, Ontario this year’s Honourable David C. Onley Award winners The reproduction of articles from WhyNot. Magazine, with the exception of copyright material, is welcome provided the source is A Seat at the Table acknowledged. Additional copies of WhyNot. 14 An update on the CFPDP’s effort to create Magazine are available from the Publisher at a cost of $3.00 each plus shipping and handling. boardroom opportunities for Canadians with disabilities Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, a charitable organization founded in 1985, assists people with physical disabilities to live fuller lives. Its mission is to create awareness in the public, business communities and government of the abilities of persons with disabilities and their needs in the areas of housing, employment, education, accessibility, sports and recreation and research. ThirtySeven In the past 37 years, the Foundation has raised substantial funds, which it has distributed to a wide variety of organizations and events. These include the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame, the Eternal Flame of Hope, the Rotary Cheshire Home, the Canadian Helen Keller Awards Luncheon, GalaYears the annual Great Valentine Gala, the King Clancy Awards, the Corporate Awards, a Seat at the Table, the WhyNot Marathon, the first Canadian Marathon for the Paralympics, Jeff Adams’ CN Tower climb, Rolling Rampage Wheelchair 10K Road Race and Rolling Rampage on the Hill. February 2021 WhyNot. 3 210100 FINAL gala'21_Layout 1 21-01-28 2:01 PM Page 4 WE ARE BESPOKE NOUS SOMMES SUR MESURE WHEELCHAIRS | FAUTEUILS ROULANTS BATEC MOBILITY BATEC MOBILITY BENOIT SYSTEMES VARILITE CUSHIONS & BACKS AELITE CRUTCHES TIRES WHEELS, SUSPENSION, PUSH RIMS & AXLES ACCESSORIES OFFERING A FULL PRODUCT LINE ! ...and a host of other products from fine manufacturers around the world. OFFRANT TOUTE UNE GAMME DE PRODUITS ! ...et toute une gamme de produits additionnels de première qualité. 51 Caldari Rd, Units 6-7B t. (416) 661-4499 Concord, ON, L4K 4G3 e. [email protected] 210100 FINAL gala'21_Layout 1 21-01-28 2:01 PM Page 5 MESSAGES As Honorary Patron This last year has Thank you for of the Canadian been a time like no supporting the Foundation for other, but at CFPDP Canadian Foundation Physically Disabled we believe that our for Physically Disabled Persons (CFPDP), charitable initiatives Persons’ 37th annual I extend the warmest and awards to honour Great Valentine Gala. of greetings on the those making a It’s a singular honour occasion of the annual difference must go to be Chair of this Great Valentine Gala. on. So, for 2021, we important fundraising I am with you in spirit are taking our gala event as it improves as you celebrate winners of the King Clancy and virtual to show appreciation for the incredible the lives of people with physical disabilities. Corporate Awards. individuals and organizations that are being My heartfelt appreciation goes out to our loyal The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how recognized for their contributions to Canadians Gala supporters and generous donors. With your we work and relate to each other. More than with disabilities. ongoing help, CFPDP can continue its awareness- anything, the last few months have revealed the We are proud to name Elisabeth and Randall raising mission, creating social change and true nature of human resilience, as well as the Linton as recipients of our Hon. David C. Onley funding essential services for the physically importance of the relationships and traditions Award, which recognizes exceptional service to disabled. Two important initiatives that CFPDP that sustain us. Canadians who live with a disability. In 1999, helps fund include Seat at the Table, which It therefore gives me great pleasure to know they founded the Sanfilippo Children’s Research encourages and assists corporations to recruit that, though it is not possible to do so in person, Foundation, which raises awareness and funds board members with physical disabilities, and so many members and friends of CFPDP have medical research for the rare genetic disorder. financial assistance for the Canadian Helen gathered to celebrate this evening’s honourees – Dave Dame is our 2021 recipient of the King Keller Centre, providing housing and intervenor who have secured real progress in promoting Clancy Award, which honours extraordinary services for the deafblind. accessibility and inclusion across this country. achievements by Canadians with a disability. While we sadly cannot gather in person, Together they are succeeding in building a more Currently Vice President, Global Agile Leader at CFPDP’s tireless efforts towards creating a fully just and sustainable future—a world that Scotiabank, he is a world leader in agile best accessible and inclusive society are continuing works for everyone. practices while supporting an authentic culture with the goal of providing equal access and This comes with my best wishes for a memo- of inclusion in his workplace. opportunity for all Canadians. In the future, rable occasion. Finally, our Corporate Award goes to the Globe we look forward to again celebrating with The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell and Mail for its leading coverage of disability you in person. The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario issues and for conveying diversity and inclusion in My sincere gratitude to the entire team that its editorial coverage across news stories, opinion made this event possible. The list includes so articles and editorials. many – from CFPDP’s dedicated volunteers and Please join me in congratulating our 2021 patrons to the foundation’s staff and our vast award recipients and thanking them for their supportive partner network. valuable service and accomplishments. Thank you and I hope you enjoy our 2021 On behalf of everyone at CFPDP, thank you for virtual gala. your continuing support. Richard Rotman, The Honourable Vim Kochhar Chair, The Great Valentine Gala Chair, Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons February 2021 WhyNot. 5 210100 FINAL gala'21_Layout 1 21-01-28 2:01 PM Page 6 Now in its 37th year, the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons’ celebrated Gala remains a vital force, shining a bright light on the lives and accomplishments of people with physical disabilities and Emcee, supporting2021 the ongoing battle Suhana Meharchand for inclusion and equality. With each passing year, the Great Valentine “When we were planning the first Gala, we Gala (GVG) makes history as one of the most thought it could continue for many years because enduring fundraising events in Canada and in we saw the need for advocacy for people living 2021 is going virtual. The Gala is one of oldest with physical disabilities in Canada,” said Hon. fundraising galas in Canada that focuses on the Vim Kochhar, chair of the Canadian Foundation cause of helping people with physical disabilities. for Physically Disabled Persons (CFPDP), which Hon. Vim Kochhar, Laura Dottori-Attanasio and Penny Hartin, King Clancy Award Recipients, Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE BLACKBURN 6 WhyNot. February 2021 210100 FINAL gala'21_Layout 1 21-01-28 2:01 PM Page 7 hosts the annual social evening. “But how could we have ment at Ryerson University to fund scholarships for predicted we would be taking it virtual?” students with physical disabilities. Kochhar says he’s There are plenty of factors behind the remarkable success passionate about supporting scholarship endowments for of the Great Valentine Gala, but one that stands out is its op- students with physical disabilities and wants to do more. timistic and purposeful vision of the future. In 2021 with “With additional educational opportunities for Canadians the challenges of live events, the with physical disabilities we GVG plans to celebrate the last will see an increase in opportu- 37 years of entertainers, award nities and pursuit of profes- winners and supporters. sional roles,” he notes. “Over these years, we’ve Kochhar goes on to say he consistently communicated believes education is one of the the idea that Canada should most important assets someone be a place where all people with a physical disability can are judged on their abilities have. “Of course, education is and accomplishments, never important for everyone to get on their disabilities, and now ahead today, but it’s particu- we are focusing on the leader- larly vital for people with ship of Corporate Canada” Rob Ham, Kelly Verboom , Dorothy Price, Hon. Vim Kochhar, physical disabilities. Look, it’s a said Kochhar. Jan Verboom, Deborah Lewis, George Przybylowski given they’re going to have a “I know that our supporters share our values and harder time finding work than able-bodied workers, so perspectives on this important issue.