Statement: Mayor Bevilacqua bestows Jean Augustine with the Key to the City
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Council approves naming
of Jean Augustine Complex and Jean Augustine District Park
Vaughan Mayor
Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement after announcing in today’s Council
meeting that he will present the Honourable Jean Augustine with the Key to the
City, and the City will name the Jean Augustine Complex and Jean Augustine District
Park in her honour:
“I am pleased to announce that the Honourable Jean
Augustine will be bestowed with the Key to the City of Vaughan. This
distinguished honour is reserved for individuals who have made significant and
enduring contributions to Canadian society and the world. Ms. Augustine is very
deserving of this honour. Her values, principles and beliefs reflect the
highest standards of public service.
“Jean Augustine is a passionate educator and a
life-long public servant. She is a trailblazer and a nation builder. I have
long admired her passion, dedication and conviction towards advancing important
social issues related to fairness, equality and justice and feel blessed to
have had the opportunity to work alongside her during her time in Parliament.
“Jean Augustine made history by becoming the first
African Canadian woman elected to the Parliament of Canada as well as the first
African Canadian woman appointed to the federal cabinet.
“She is a Member of the Order of Canada, Order of
Ontario, and a Commander of the British Empire as well as the recipient of
multiple honourary doctorates and countless awards. She served as Ontario’s
Fairness Commissioner, advocating for Canadians with foreign credentials and
served as the National President of the Congress of Black Women of Canada.
“During her time as MP, Ms. Augustine introduced the
motion that allowed for the placement of the Famous Five statue on Parliament
Hill as well as the motion that led to the creation of Black History Month in
Canada, which was officially recognized in December 1995 by the House of
Commons. It stands as an important celebration that unites communities, like
Vaughan, and honours men and women who have made lasting city-building and
nation-building contributions. I clearly remember her motion in the House of
Commons that day, and I was proud to support it.
“I was honoured to serve alongside Ms. Augustine, to
advance issues of national and international importance. We quickly learned
that we had much in common – we were both immigrants and deeply passionate
about social justice, equality and human rights. In Parliament, we were allies.
Together as MPs, we travelled the country advancing an agenda that promoted
social justice.
“One of the greatest privileges of public life is
the opportunity to work with exceptional individuals who give of themselves, in
a very selfless way, to the noble mission of creating a fair and just society.
On behalf of the citizens of Vaughan, I want to express my gratitude to Ms.
Augustine for her personal sacrifice and dedication to advancing social
justice, race relations and multiculturalism in Canada and beyond.
“That is why, I cannot think of a better name for
the area consisting of the Rosemount Community Centre, the City Playhouse
Theatre and Westmount Collegiate Institute, including the soccer field and
baseball diamond, than the Jean Augustine Complex and Jean Augustine District
Park.
“It is my hope that through this recognition, more
people and future generations will be inspired to follow in her footsteps.”
QUICK FACTS
- The establishment of the official Key to the City protocol was presented by Mayor Bevilacqua in a Member’s Resolution dated Nov. 3, 2015 and was unanimously approved by Council.
- The Key to the City of Vaughan is presented at the discretion of the Mayor.
- The practice of giving a key can be traced back to medieval times when the gates to walled cities were guarded during the day and locked at night – the key was a sign of freedom as the recipient could enter and leave as a trusted friend.
LEARN
MORE
- June 2019 statement – Mayor Bevilacqua meets with Hon. Jean Augustine
- Mayor Bevilacqua’s Member’s Resolution (PDF) establishing the Key to the City
- February 2014 news release – Vaughan Celebrates International Women’s Day
- Jean Augustine’s personal website
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