Much of the time, when one is asked to consider the process of aging, ideas such as mental and physical decline come to mind. The health concerns, bed-blocking, and financial strain of elderly individuals receive much media attention and concern. This is not unreasonable, as these factors do cause many people to become increasingly vulnerable and dependant upon others as they continue to age.
In spite of this, the OGA recognises and celebrates the fact that there are a number of elderly individuals who do not live in such circumstances. Many of them are active members of their community, making invaluable contributions. The OGA places much focus on the promotion of Positive Aging, which has lead to the recent development of the Positive Aging Award.
The Positive Aging Award is offered to an individual over the age of 65 who has clearly demonstrated the positive impact they have had upon a community. The first ever Positive Aging Award was presented to Mississauga Mayor Hazel Mccallon at the OGA’s 2011 Annual Conference.
Mayor Hazel Mccallon with her award, OGA 2011 Annual Conference (Photo by Irene Borins Ash)
This year the positive aging award will be presented to The Honourable David Crombie.
David Crombie has served as mayor of Toronto, member of parliament and federal cabinet minister. He is the former president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute, former chair of Ontario Place Corporation and founding chair of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust.
He has received honorary degrees from the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and Seneca College.
David Crombie is president of David Crombie and Associates Inc. and currently serves as chair of the Advisory Council for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), a director of Mount Pleasant Cemetaries Group and chair of the Toronto Lands Corporation.
David Crombie is chancellor emeritus of Ryerson University and an honorary fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. He has been appointed to the Order of Ontario and as an officer to the Order of Canada.
Photo By Irene Borins Ash
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