NOTICE OF MOTION

Moved by:            Mayor David Miller

Seconded by:       Councillor Bill Saundercook

 “WHEREAS Mr. Don Jennison passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2005, in his 77^th year; and

 WHEREAS Mr. Jennison was a respected member of the Swansea community in High Park; and

 WHEREAS Mr. Jennison worked tirelessly to support issues of social justice, public education, public health care and the betterment of his neighbourhood; and

 WHEREAS Mr. Jennison stood against arbitrary decisions by governments and acted to support rights of citizens, especially those most vulnerable in society; and

WHEREAS Mr. Jennison believed strongly in citizen participation in local democracy, and actively participated himself; and

WHEREAS Mr. Jennison was a great man, filled with compassion, kindness, good humour and a passion for justice in our world; and

WHEREAS Mr. Jennison was an active member of World 19, the Council of Canadians, Toronto and Ontario Health Coalitions, Council on Monetary and Economic Reform, The Alliance of Seniors to Protect Canada’s Social Programs, Swansea Area Ratepayers Association, Swansea Historical Society, and many other activities too numerous to list; and

WHEREAS he will be sorely missed by the Swansea community, friends and family;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Clerk be directed to convey, on behalf of Members of Toronto City Council, our sincere sympathy to the family of Mr. Don Jennison; his wife, Joyce, his three children and his six grandchildren.”

Statement read in House of Commons, May 11, 2005

Hon. Sarmite Bulte (Parkdale—High Park, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House of the passing of one of my constituents, Don Jennison. Don was a committed activist for many causes both in my riding in the city of Toronto and across the country.

I first met Don in his role as a founding member of world 19, a community group that grew out of the campaign against the rushed amalgamation of the city of Toronto. Throughout the years, I had several meetings with world 19 and Don was always one of its most committed and passionate spokespeople. His concerns covered a broad spectrum of issues, from neighbourhood development to maintaining a fully public health care system.

I always found Don to be a challenging, well-informed and dedicated advocate for the causes in which he believed. This concept of public service from a private citizen is commendable. In this sense Don Jennison serves as an exemplar of the public spiritedness to which we should all aspire.

I wish to offer my sincere condolences to Don's family, his friends and his community. His passing leaves many lives emptier and diminishes the quality of our public discourse.