Four residents invested with the Order of Vaughan

Dec. 9, 2019 9:00 p.m.
​Mayor Bevilacqua bestows highest civic honour at special ceremony
 
The Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua, Mayor of the City of Vaughan, presided over the Order of Vaughan investiture ceremony on Monday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at Vaughan City Hall. The Mayor bestowed the honour on four outstanding people who have played a pivotal role in shaping the city.
 
The Order of Vaughan inaugural ceremony took place during Vaughan’s 25th anniversary year to pay tribute to people who have contributed to the City’s success. It recognizes people within the following categories: arts and entertainment, media and communications, athletics, health and wellness, business, philanthropy, public service, education, science and technology, not-for-profit, equity and diversity, accessibility, environment and spirituality.
 
From the emerging downtown core to the construction of Canada’s first smart hospital, the people who call Vaughan home are helping to enrich a purpose-driven city. Inspired by the diversity and well-being of Vaughan’s citizens, community growth has led to the opening of Niagara University, the 900-acre North Maple Regional Park and a place where more than 225,000 jobs and 12,000 small businesses can thrive.
 
QUOTE
 
“The Order of Vaughan is an important and meaningful award that recognizes people who work tirelessly to enhance our quality of life and standard of living. The recipients are model citizens and I am grateful for their exceptional dedication, devotion and commitment to our city. It was a pleasure to present the Order of Vaughan to these four exceptional individuals who have made an enduring impact on our city and beyond. These honourees are a true inspiration. They are making a significant difference in the world and they are deserving of our highest civic honour. These exceptional city-builders have given selflessly to a cause that is far greater than themselves and continue to do so with an unequivocal conviction that is admirable. I want to express my sincerest gratitude to each recipient for their significant and enduring contributions to the betterment of our community.”
-Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

Citations for the list of recipients are below.
 
QUICK FACTS
 
  • Recipients received an Order of Vaughan pin and certificate.
  • Up to 10 nominees will receive the Order of Vaughan each year. To be eligible for consideration, a candidate must be a resident or former resident of the City.
  • Recipients are chosen by the Order of Vaughan Selection Committee.
LEARN MORE
 
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Order of Vaughan Recipients – 2019
 
Max Eisen
Education
Max Eisen was liberated from Auschwitz on May 6, 1945 and has devoted much of his life speaking about the need to eliminate racism and bigotry. Today, he continues to dedicate his time and effort travelling across the country to share his experience as a Holocaust survivor with thousands of Canadians, speaking to students, teachers, law enforcement professionals and the community at large. In 2016, Mr. Eisen published his memoirs entitled By Chance Alone: A Remarkable True Story of Courage and Survival at Auschwitz, which won the 2019 Canada Reads Award. He has become a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration. Through his personal experiences and life's work, he has demonstrated an exceptional capacity to promote the importance of the noble values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Mr. Eisen continues to share his story and educate generations of young people so they may better understand the Holocaust. In June 2019, Mr. Eisen was recognized by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua for his contribution to the City of Vaughan and the world, with a Key to the City.
Eric Jolliffe
Equity and Diversity
Eric Jolliffe has led the transformation of the York Regional Police through his role as Chief of Police by emphasizing community outreach and relationship-building programs. As a result, multiple community partnership opportunities for learning, understanding and collaboration have formed with ethnocultural, religious, marginalized and vulnerable communities. Chief Jolliffe remains vigilant against prejudice, discrimination and hate while building and maintaining a community that is welcoming, inclusive and one of the safest in the country. His leadership has inspired the creation of the Human Rights Education Centre Global Classroom – the first of its kind in the world to be recognized and supported by the United Nations – at the Community Safety Village of York Region. The mission of this centre is to inspire progressive action for peaceful coexistence through education, empowerment and investment in children and youth. Chief Jolliffe continues to align diversity and inclusion in the workplace and community. He remains a champion for social justice and human rights.
Dr. Vincent Maida
Public Service
Dr. Vincent Maida is a pioneer in developing palliative care services in York Region. He created the first palliative care unit in 1997 at the William Osler Health System and Vaughan’s first home-visiting palliative medicine service. He has served as a member of the Hospice Vaughan Board of Directors since 2012 and has been named Medical Director of the new Hospice Vaughan – The Mario and Nick Cortellucci Hospice Palliative Care Centre of Excellence. Dr. Maida was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), for his work in palliative care and wound management, and overall contributions to Canadian society. He is the inaugural winner of the William Osler Award of Excellence in 2001, as well as the first doctor at William Osler Health System to win the award a second time in 2009. In 2007, he was declared one of Ontario’s “most educationally influential physicians” through a poll carried out by the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons. As an advocate for high-quality and accessible end-of-life care as a fundamental human right, Dr. Maida has been an innovative force in the research, education and creation of palliative care.
Caroline Riseboro
Not-For-Profit
Caroline Riseboro is a passionate advocate for children’s rights and equality for girls. In 2016, she became President and CEO of Plan International Canada, making history as the youngest person to ever lead a major Canadian charity. In her role, she calls on Canadians to take a stand anywhere children are oppressed, and girls are not equally valued. Her work was instrumental in the 2018 G7 Summit, where Plan International Canada appealed to global leaders, successfully securing a historic $3.8-billion commitment to the education of children in crisis and emergencies by the G7 Presidency. In June 2019, Ms. Riseboro’s work played a pivotal role in the second historic $1.4-billion funding announcement by the Government of Canada to promote the health and rights of women and girls around the world. Ms. Riseboro is breaking traditional barriers to gender equality by amplifying the voices of youth and engaging boys and men. In addition to the many programs she has launched, she spearheaded the Girls Belong Here program to mark International Day of the Girl, which enables girls to see themselves in powerful positions by spending a day with leaders. She has received seven Stevie Awards for Women in Business, including Canadian Female Executive of the Year, and has been recognized as one of Women’s Executive Network’s (WXN) Most Powerful Women in Canada for two years in a row. A champion for empowering girls and youth, Ms. Riseboro is a trailblazer for youth, gender-inclusive leadership and the assurance that every individual can leverage their inherent power for the betterment of society.
 
 
The Order of Vaughan investiture ceremony at Vaughan City Hall.
 
 
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua with Eric Jolliffe, Max Eisen, Caroline Riseboro and Dr. Vincent Maida.
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