Many will be aware that the year 2001 was designated as a worldwide "Year of the Volunteer".  Few are aware, however, that your co-chairs of the Canada Census Committee, Muriel M. Davidson and Gordon A. Watts, were honoured, through the sponsorship of Senator Lorna Milne, to receive a beautiful Certificate and a pewter Medal that commemorated their volunteer efforts related to the Canada Census campaign.

 
Each Member of Parliament, and each Senator of Canada were given ten of these Certificates bound in an imitation leather folder (Green for the House of Commons and Red for the Senate) to distribute to those they felt had contributed significantly in various areas of volunteerism. Approximately 4,000 Medals, having the same "Year of the Volunteer" logo shown on the reverse side of Canada's 2001 dime, were struck by Canada's Mint.  They will never be struck again.  Considering that Canada's population is more than 32 million people, to be one of approximately 4,000 being recognized by presentation of these Certificates and Medals is an extraordinary, and probably once in a lifetime, honour.

Muriel Davidson was aware she would receive her Certificate and Medal in December, 2001.  However, Susan Fennell, Mayor of the city of Brampton Ontario, did not officially present it to her until March of 2002 during opening ceremonies for a ward of the Brampton Memorial Hospital where she has also been a volunteer. Muriel's Certificate includes a list of many volunteer activities with which she has been involved over the years.

Gordon Watts Certificate and Medal were presented to him by Member of Parliament Hedy Fry in December 2001 at a ceremony she held for presentations to those volunteers she was honouring.