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The Award is presented to individuals whose unpaid, voluntary contributions provide extraordinary help or care to people in the community. Recipients usually have served over a number of years and normally have not been previously recognized by a national or provincial honour.

The Caring Canadian Award consists of a certificate and a lapel pin. The award symbol represents Canadians who selflessly give of their time and energy to others. The maple leaf symbolizes the people of Canada and their spirit. The heart depicts the openheartedness of volunteers and caregivers. The helping hand and heart support the maple leaf. The hand is outstretched to portray boundless generosity.

The citations for the recipients follow:

Ida Gallant, Wellington, Prince Edward Island ~ Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award

Ida Gallant has always found the time to devote herself to community service, even with a full schedule and seven children under her care. For over 40 years, she has organized and directed recreational activities for youth and seniors. To meet the needs of Wellington’s Francophone residents, she fought for access to French-language medical services. During the 1990s, she helped found the Evangeline Community Health Centre and Le Chez-nous Ltée, a long-term care facility. In addition, she helped raise the necessary funds for building the Coopérative d'hébergement Le Bel Âge, a rental housing project. This proud Acadian’s hard work has greatly contributed to the success of major projects and to her community’s development.

William Gerald MacLean, Summerside, Prince Edward Island ~ Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award

Since the tragic death of his son in 1995, William MacLean has worked for the benefit of his fellow Islanders. He helped to implement an air ambulance service and to acquire a helicopter pad at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown, enabling timely medical evacuation and care. He later became the driving force behind the establishment of a trauma centre in the Maritimes. Mr. MacLean also played an integral part in the creation of a memorial park, the International Children’s Memorial Place, which opened in 2001. He continues to participate fully in all aspects of the park project, which now includes a counselling, grieving and healing resource centre.

Eva Elizabeth Rodgerson, O’Leary, Prince Edward Island ~ Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award

Eva Rodgerson has provided over 35 years of service to the small town of O’Leary. Within her parish community, she is a dedicated Sunday school teacher and a member of both the board of directors and the finance committee. She has also been an active organizer and participant of a weekly children’s recreational program. She has served as chairperson of the O’Leary Red Cross Water Safety Program for 37 years and has devoted more than 20 years to the Community Health Board. She has demonstrated concern for the elderly, assisting them with their income tax returns and social assistance applications, as well as driving many ailing or incapacitated seniors to medical appointments in Charlottetown.