2000 Award Recipients

Mr. Michael Wilson

Michael Wilson is most often remembered as the former federal Minister of Finance and the Minister of International Trade. After 14 years of public service, he left the political arena in 1993, and since 1995 has been Vice-Chairman and Director of RBC Dominion Securities, where he works actively with Canadian and international governments.

Mr. Wilson is a director of numerous companies including Manulife Financial and Rio Algom. He is also active in many professional and community organizations including The Arthritis Society, The Canadian Club, The Aspen Institute, The Institute of the Americas, Toronto Community Foundation, Canadian Paraplegic Association and as Governor for Upper Canada College.

Mr. Wilson demonstrated his courage and selflessness when he assumed the Chairmanship of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's Centred on Hope Campaign in 1998, a position he continues to hold today. Owing to his personal tragedy, the suicide of his son Cameron, he has committed to being a leader in creating awareness about mental illness and addiction, and fighting the stigma often attached to them.

He has played a vital leadership role in the campaign - giving generously of both his time and financial resources. His dedication was instrumental in the completion of the campaign's first chair, the Cameron Parker Holcombe Wilson Chair in Depression Studies. His personal commitment and openness about a very private side of his life has inspired both volunteer and donors to commit significant resources to this cause.

Despite his heavy volunteer commitment to the Centred on Hope Campaign, Mr. Wilson also assumed the National Chair of the NeuroScience Canada Foundation in April 1999, where he had previously chaired the Long-Range Strategic Planning committee for two years. In addition, he has joined the Board of Directors of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation. Mr. Wilson's volunteer commitment has played a significant role in the growth and success of these two organizations , and in championing the cause of mental illness and addiction.

Mr. Wilson has been nominated jointly by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation and the NeuroScience Canada Foundation for this year's Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award.