Three receive Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal

News Story By Stephen Weir
Caribbean Camera

On February 16, in Toronto, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada awarded Mary Anne Chambers, Gordon Cressy, and Dr Joseph Y.K. Wong the Meritorious Service Medal.

The three founded the Harmony Movement in 1994. This is an organization that was at the forefront in promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in Ontario. 
"Today, Harmony Movement continues to offer youth leadership programs in schools, diversity training in offices," reads the GG's citation. "This is an award program that recognizes champions of social equality and inspires civic leaders of tomorrow."
Mary Anne Veronica Chambers, is a former provincial politician in Ontario. The 67-year old Jamaican Canadian  was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2003 until 2007. 75-year oldJoe Cressy is a social worker and former city councillor. He worked as executive director of a group home for teenagers, and as a project director for the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. He also holds the Order of Canada.

Joseph Yu Kai Wong is a Scarborough physician and philanthropist. He founded the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in 1987. He is the former chair of the United Way and was awarded the Order of Canada in 1993.Wong was the winner of the 2005 Power of Humanity award, presented to him by former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev.

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