Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia
In February 1999, the Branch Executive Committee approved a Communications Committee proposal to provide recognition to one member from each county for their “exceptional contribution to the life and well-being of his or her community.” A call for nominations was released in the October issue of BarTalk, to all CBA members, BC media and MLAs. A selection committee was struck, composed of The Hon. H.A.D. Oliver, Conflict of Interest Commissioner; Drew Hasselback, National Post law reporter; Frances Statham, Ministry of Attorney General; Doug F. Robinson, QC, BC Branch Past President; and Mark Slay, BC Branch Communications Committee member. After careful review, six lawyers were chosen to receive the 2001 CBABC Community Service Awards, in recognition that the actions of individual lawyers reflect on the entire legal profession.

William Tierney Lane
Much of Mr. Lane’s lifetime of community service was shaped by his early involvement in the Community Planning Association of Canada (CPAC). After a decade of depression and World War II the federal government created CPAC to address the desire of Canadians to build attractive and functional cities. Mr. Lane became convinced that community planning was essential to achieve liveable and cost-efficient cities and towns. He devoted untold hours of volunteer time to taking this message to BC communities. As a result, Mr. Lane became active in a large number of groups, including private bodies and government agencies, the objectives of which were the orderly planning and development of communities, including liveability, appearance and quality of life.

Mr. Lane is deeply committed to the preservation of our heritage in historic and archaeological sites, and raising awareness of the value of this heritage to the community. He is a “Friends of the Vancouver City Archives” Past President and arranged for the “Friends” to be designated a charitable organization. The subsequently raised funds and donations have enabled the Archives to purchase equipment that expands public access to the Archives.

Mr. Lane has a long history of service to the Militia, which he actively served from 1952 to 1967 and then served in a supporting role, attending policy meetings and serving as Chair. He served as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel from 1992-1998. Through his volunteering, Mr. Lane has provided a means of making the community, particularly young people, aware of our military history, and increasing opportunities for them to gain from participation in the Reserve Army, and ensuring the citizens of Vancouver have access as needed to the skills of the Unit.

Paul Levy
Known as “Santa Levy” to his partners at Currie Hunter for his annual collections and personal delivery of food and other items for Christmas hampers, Paul Levy has earned the highest respect of colleagues in his business, personal and volunteer circles. He is an active fundraiser, board member and volunteer, involved in organizations as diverse as the St. Mary’s Foundation, Fraser River Discovery Centre, Canadian Jamaican Medical Assistance Society, Purpose Society and St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Mr. Levy was an active member of the St. Mary’s Hospital Board for many years, and Chair of the Hospital Foundation since its inception five years ago. Friends at St. Mary’s remember a dogged advocate at a time when it looked like services at St. Mary’s were going to be cut back. “Paul is a good and thoughtful leader, with an outstanding sense of humour that has helped us get through some tough times,” says Karl Crosby, of St. Mary’s Hospital. “He’s been a blessing to the hospital – and an okay golfer too.”

His partners at McQuarrie Hunter are equally effusive: Marlene Scott, QC, Bob Crawford, QC and Kim Floeck have nothing but praise for the role he plays in the community: Ms. Scott says that Mr. Levy is “a man who uses soft words and hard arguments. He is blessed with many talents, and he uses those talents to make his community a better place in which to live.”

William E MacDonald
While Mr. MacDonald’s community contributions have ranged from service to the Rotary Club, the Naval Reserves and to the Comox Valley Yacht Club, it is his commitment to children that is so exceptional.

“Perhaps Bill’s most important community service has been his involvement in the Scouting movement for over 35 years and the impact he has had on kids over that time,” says Christopher Kelsey, who nominated Mr. MacDonald. “Bill has devoted hundreds of hours to the cause, and has endured many soggy and cold outings in pursuit of leading scouts both here and on the Lower Mainland.” For the record, Mr. MacDonald is active in Scouts Canada, and is the Chair, and a Troop Scouter, of the Second Courtenay Group. He is also a Past President of the Courtenay Youth Music Camp.

Mr. MacDonald is also the Secretary of the Princess Louisa International Society. The society is dedicated to preserving Princess Louisa Inlet as a park to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Ronald MacIsaac
Victoria residents will recognize Ronald MacIsaac’s name, as he has long been affiliated with Shaw Community television through his television program.

Mr. MacIsaac’s broad range of volunteer commitments has focused on members of society who are disadvantaged or who have in some way been victimized.

Mr. MacIsaac has been a Past Governor or Director of: the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (Victoria); Mother’s and Others Against Drunk Drivers; the Skies Above Foundation; and Together Against Poverty. His volunteer work includes working at a high level with the Vancouver Island Human Rights Coalition and working as a member of both the BC Interministerial Committee on Child Sexual Abuse and the Victoria Child Sexual Abuse Association.

Irene G Peters
Linda Locke, who nominated Irene Peters, cited Ms. Peter’s “passion for making a difference in the community, particularly on behalf of women.”

Irene Peters has had a long involvement with the Terrace Women’s Association, providing them with the benefit of her legal expertise in workshops aimed primarily at economically disadvantaged women. She has written proposals and met with government officials for the association. “I believe Irene’s involvement with the Terrance group provided the impetus for the formation of the Prince Rupert Women’s Association, of which we are both founding members,” says Judith Kenacan, who nominated Ms. Peters. Irene Peters assumed a leadership role in the group that has a wide representation of women from the community. The group has had an impact on a board variety of issues affecting women, including politics, health, art and education. During the last civic election in Prince Rupert the group canvassed all candidates on their views affecting women and published the results in the local newspaper. The group also hosted monthly luncheons with speakers on health issues affecting women.

Organizing and providing educational sessions is another area of commitment for Ms. Peters. “Through her volunteer work with public legal education courses; People’s Law School presentations in Terrace and Prince Rupert; High School and Community College work; and multicultural workshops, Ms. Peters has contributed a great deal of her energy to help those in need,” says Ms. Locke. Last spring she and Ms. Kenacan hosted a session on the Community Family and Child Services Act for both service providers and for the general public. This past spring Ms. Peters worked to organize a panel of professional aboriginal women for a Prince Rupert conference.

Roy James Stewart, QC
The contributions of Roy Stewart, QC have all centred on his ability to motivate people, through which he has brought about change that will affect the use and enjoyment of the Prince George community for many years to come. Mr. Stewart has been active in the Interior University Society, in the Prince George Bar Association’s initiative for a New Court House, and as the Chair of the University of Northern BC (UNBC) Foundation. The creation of UNBC in particular, represents a basis for significant economic, social and cultural change.

As a director, and then as the president of the Interior University Society, Mr. Stewart, QC was actively involved in lobbying the government for the creation of a new university in Prince George. He was the founding Chair of the UNBC Foundation. In addition, he developed the plan for a successful fundraising effort by UNBC, called “North to the Future.”

Mr. Stewart also participated in a successful fundraising campaign for a new art gallery. The campaign raised enough funds to allow matching grants from government and the new art gallery was constructed for occupation in the spring of 2000. His fundraising efforts extended beyond the university and art gallery when Mr. Stewart helped create a new Community Foundation. His efforts provided the foundation with vision and articulated the basis for successful fundraising.