Paul was also interviewed about the appointment by 570News. Listen to the short radio interview.
This is a great honour for Paul and fitting recognition for the work that he and the Tamarack team have done to reduce poverty in Canada and to build a network of cities and communities connecting together for change. There was much noted about Paul’s significant contributions but perhaps these two paragraphs best sum up the leadership that Paul brings to Tamarack, to our team and to Canada:
Paul’s early experiences were formative in driving him to devote his life to this theme. He grew up as the son of refugees in a close-knit community of about 100 families in B.C., all of whom had suffered the plight of mass starvation and had fled murder, rape, and oppression. As had happened to many families in his community, both of Paul's grandfathers had been executed at the hands of Stalin. Paul grew up as part of a people who had escaped to Canada to heal and start anew -- and he saw how, by helping each other, they were able to do that.
Paul has long understood that there is a direct correlation between people’s sense of community and their willingness to improve the conditions of those who live around them. He is a thought leader, founder of ground-breaking organizations, and an early pioneer in the field of community engagement and collective impact for good.
In speaking with Paul about the appointment, he shared that nearly 400 people had reached out to congratulate him over the holidays. He shared this note as a way of saying thank you.
“Thank you for all the congratulations that you shared. It was a whirlwind of posts on Facebook and email and Twitter etc. Each one made me smile. Of course they “single me out” for such an award but really it belongs to an amazing family (Marlene, Lucas and Michael), extended family and friends, all one’s workmates over the years (especially co-founders of Tamarack and Vibrant Communities Alan Broadbent, Tim Brodhead, Sherri Torjman, , Katherine Pearson, Liz Weaver, Louise Kearney and Mark Cabaj) supportive people in my community (way too many to list) and partners across Canada and around the world. I hope this award is seen as a celebration of us all. Much joy all”.
On behalf of the Tamarack team, we would like to congratulate Paul on a recognition well deserved and for his dynamic leadership to our organization. Best of the New Year to all of you. Congratulations Paul!
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