Latest news with #CoronationMedal
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spruce Meadows co-founder Margaret Southern awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
Spruce Meadows co-founder Margaret Southern was honoured Saturday with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognizing her decades-long contributions to sport, community and education in Alberta and across Canada. The medal was presented by Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani during ATCO Military Family Day, an annual event at Spruce Meadows honouring Canadian military heroes and their families. 'Mrs. Southern, you and your family are really that anchor that grounds us, in a world that has lost its mooring,' Lakhani said during the ceremony. 'Thank you so much for everything that you have done, and your family continues to do.' The award recognizes civilians who have made significant contributions to Alberta and Canada. Southern's recognition comes ahead of the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup, the marquee event of the Spruce Meadows 'North American' tournament. She joined her daughters — Linda Southern-Heathcott, president and CEO of Spruce Meadows, and Nancy Southern, chair and CEO of ATCO — who also received the coronation medal earlier this year. A former teacher, Margaret Southern founded Spruce Meadows in 1975 alongside her husband Ron, and served as its president until 2005. Over nearly five decades, she helped transform the facility into one of the world's premier show jumping venues, attracting hundreds of thousands of international visitors each year. 'Mrs. Southern's decades of passionate leadership, tireless work, and enduring dedication helped make Spruce Meadows one of the most successful show jumping venues on the planet,' Spruce Meadows said in a release. 'That effort has helped draw hundreds of thousands of global tourists to Alberta, bringing in more than $120 million to the broader Alberta economy annually, without the aid of government funding.' Southern has also championed philanthropy and youth education with initiatives such as the Spruce Meadows School Tours program, which has seen more than 250,000 youngsters visit Spruce Meadows to learn about agriculture, ecosystems and equine welfare. Grand plan comes to fruition as Spruce Meadows celebrates 50th anniversary in style Spruce Meadows at 50: Small dream, big ambition has led to world-class venture
Hamilton Spectator
03-07-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Caledon Community Services celebrates Community Impact at 2025 AGM
Caledon Community Services (CCS) held its annual general meeting last week, celebrating incoming board members, saying goodbye to departing members, and recognizing all their accomplishments from the 2024-2025 year. Geraldine Aguiar, Chief Executive Officer at CCS, opened the meeting, remarking they were celebrating the impact that their collective work had on advancing their mission of prioritizing community well-being. 'The mission cannot be done in isolation and your presence here is a testament to our shared goals and commitment to make our community stronger. Truly, together we can,' said Aguiar. The room was packed roof to rafter, which MPP Sylvia Jones noted is a testament to what CCS means to the community. Regional Councillor Christina Early, Board Chair of CCS, recognized all those on the Board and in the room that day. 'All of these individuals work their day job, and this is above and beyond,' said Councillor Early, motioning around the room. 'The board is a strictly volunteer position, and there's a lot of hours that go into it, but we do it with passion, care, and we do it for a community and an organization that we love so very much.' The guest speaker for the evening was Captain (Ret'd) Kevin Junor, a 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal honoree. Junor has over 40 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, and was appointed to the Order of Ontario with demonstrated commitment to community well-being, diversity, inclusion, and preserving military history. Junor shared the story of Mark, a story CCS had once shared with him. Mark was the neighbour who always helped out, driving his friends' kids to practice and dropping off groceries when someone was going through a rough patch. But when he lost his job, Mark skipped meals so his kids wouldn't go hungry. Junor shared that for Mark, one of the hardest parts was being unable to buy his daughter her favourite snack. 'I'm here to tell you that there are a number of individuals like Mark in our community who don't have the privilege to go out for coffee to deal with this. Can you imagine? You have to decide between paying your rent or mortgage or utilities or buying food for your family,' said Junor. 'I always say that it's my responsibility to extend the privilege to those who are in need. My late mom's favorite [quote] was, 'if I can help somebody, as I pass along, that my living shall not be in vain.' I can assure you that the team at CCS is not living in vain,' he said. 'I can assure you that the funds donated are used to help those who do not have the necessities of life. Individuals like Mark, can find their way at CCS for the support needed. This results in improved quality of life.' CCS noted in their 2024-2025 community impact report that their food bank reached a historic record high. Over 1,200 people accessed food and essential items through more than 5,000 food bank visits. 455 children received healthy snacks, access to recreation, and school supplies. CCS also reported over 20,000 hours of direct service for seniors. Recognized at the event were the 2024-2025 Honorary Life members, who have embodied CCS's values and commitment to the community for more than 10 years, and each has contributed to the agency's success with their time, resources, and skills. These members were Melodie Belusa, Tracy Smale, and Stephen Julian. CCS said goodbye to three board members at the AGM: Wanda Buote, Connie Stevens, and Gurvinder Chopra. With three members leaving, CCS also celebrated those joining the board: Lesley Kennedy, Carine Strong, and Simran Virdi. As CCS moves into its next year, its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan focuses on operational and service excellence, partnership growth, sustainability, and advocacy for equitable opportunities. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
21-06-2025
- General
- Global News
Fredericton's assistant deputy fire chief reflects on 35-year career
David McKinley was 25 years old when he first joined the Fredericton Fire Department in 1990. Now, as he gets set to enter retirement, the assistant deputy chief is reflecting on his 35-year career with the department. Over the decades, he's responded to fires, ice rescues and medical calls. In 2013, he became the assistant deputy chief. It's not a job he took lightly. 'There's a lot of responsibility,' said McKinley. 'The weight of the department is on our shoulders, so it's important that we keep moving forward.' This year, McKinley received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his service. And he leaves his legacy with dozens of members who weren't even born when he began. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I have this little saying, work hard, keep your nose clean, stay out of trouble,' he said. Story continues below advertisement It's a legacy fire Chief Dwayne Killingbeck noted at McKinley's retirement reception. 'He leaves [the department] improved down to its very foundation, and he's now entrusting us to carry it on his behalf, and we cannot let him down,' Killingbeck said. Meanwhile, McKinley isn't finished with the Fredericton Fire Department yet — he's turning his gaze to a book chronicling the department's history. He said it will include everything from early equipment to the volunteers and firefighters who kept Fredericton safe over the years. 'It's important to me where we came from and some of the struggles that our firefighters ahead of us had to go through because they worked hard,' he said. And, he has a much more immediate plan, too. 'The first thing I'm going to do is sleep in,' he said. For more on this story, watch the video above.
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Prince William's 'true feelings' on key Trooping the Colour role
As the Palace prepares for this year's Trooping the Colour celebrations, a source close to the Prince William has shared his verdict on reprising his vital role in the King's birthday parade procession With the Trooping the Colour celebrations right around the corner, Royal Family is busy preparing for the momentous day. As is tradition, senior royals are set to mount their horses and follow the King's carriage in a procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade. While King Charles will be reportedly riding in the carriage alongside his wife, Queen Camilla, Prince William will join Princess Anne and Prince Edward and follow the procession on horseback. As the Colonel of the Welsh Guards, William rode alongside other senior royals in the 2024 Trooping the Colour procession, as he sported the red uniform with a leek symbol on the neckline paired with a traditional bearskin cap adorned with the regiment's white and green plume. He also wore his Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash, Royal Air Force Pilot Wings and four medals: the Gold, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilee medals, plus the Coronation Medal. And a source told the Sunday Times how the heir to the throne feels about taking part on horseback, saying: "He really enjoys it." William's thoughts on riding ahorse during the Trooping the Colour procession comes after it was reported that the King would be riding in a carriage for a second year. While Charles is not expected to ride at the parade again, this weekend's event will be the first time that the Princess Royal has ridden in public since she was hospitalised following a suspected horse injury last year. Anne, 74, plans to ride in the parade this year in her role as gold stick, the colonel of the Blues and Royals, alongside the Duke of Edinburgh as colonel of the Scots Guards and London Guards and Prince William. King Charles rode in the parade for many years, both for his mother's birthday celebrations and his own, but due to his ongoing battle with cancer, the 76-year-old monarch will reportedly again travel in a carriage as he also did last year. A royal aide recently opened up about King Charles's health, saying: "The thing you learn about this illness [cancer] is that you just manage it. And that's what he does." The aide continued: "Medical science has made incredible advances and I genuinely see no difference in him... As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible." The royal aide elaborated: "It's no secret that he is still having treatment but because he is incredibly fit, he is just dealing with it all incredibly well. As everybody knows he is driven by duty, so he just gets on with it." The last time the King rode at the ceremony was in 2023, which was the first time a monarch had ridden in the parade since Queen Elizabeth did in 1986. After the late Queen's trusty horse retired, she travelled in a carriage from 1987 until her final appearance in 2022, when she took the salute from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The Trooping the Colour event, which takes place every year in June, has been held to mark the sovereign's official birthday since the accession of King George IV in 1820, except during the world wars and a national strike in 1955. In 2020, a scaled-back version of the celebration was held at Windsor Castle due to the Covid pandemic. Trooping the Colour 2025, officially known as The King's Birthday Parade, will take place on Saturday June 14, in London.
CBC
01-06-2025
- General
- CBC
In Italy, a Canadian has a 'very humbling experience' meeting with King Charles
Hello, royal watchers. This is your regular dose of royal news and analysis. Reading this online? Sign up here to get this delivered to your inbox. After you've met someone briefly, there can be that moment when you think: There was something I didn't get a chance to say. Maj. Casey Anderson, a military intelligence officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, had that thought after he chatted with King Charles and received a King's Coronation Medal from him recently in the Italian coastal city of Ravenna. Charles was in Ravenna commemorating the 80th anniversary of the area's liberation during the Second World War, a military effort in which both Canadian and British forces played a role. In 1944, Anderson's grandfather "was wounded liberating the city of Ravenna," Anderson said via Zoom from Italy, where he is stationed at NATO's Allied Joint Force Command Naples. Anderson's grandfather didn't actually make it right into Ravenna during that military campaign, "And so [that was] actually one of the things … which I didn't get the chance to tell His Majesty but maybe would have been quite interesting," Anderson said. "It was cathartic for me … to be invited to participate in this event." Canada's King's Coronation Medal was created to mark Charles's coronation on May 6, 2023. A total of 30,000 medals are being awarded to Canadians who have "made a significant contribution" to their community, province, territory or country, at home or abroad. Of the medal total, 4,000 are for members of the CAF. Ceremonies have been taking place across Canada to award the medals. Anderson, 37, says it's all "quite surreal" how he happened to receive his medal, along with two other Canadians, from the King in Italy. (Charles, while he was in Italy, made a point — unusual in such an international setting — of noting that he is King of Canada.) The medal "is not the sort of thing that [Charles] would normally personally give out," Anderson said. "This is not only a very humbling experience, but it's also extra unusual because it's happening abroad." Anderson was chosen for the medal to honour his research and advocacy to preserve the legacy of the Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion, a First World War forerunner of the CAF's current military intelligence branch. Circumstances and logistics, however, played into the fact that Anderson received it in Italy. He had been slated to get it in Ottawa earlier in the year, but for various reasons, getting there from his home in Naples would have been difficult. Several weeks after learning he would be receiving the medal, he was asked if he could be in Ravenna in April, although details were slim on exactly why. Then his military chain of command also asked him to go to Ravenna in April, leading a Canadian delegation to take part in the liberation ceremony. "I am an intelligence officer, so I was starting to put two and two together," Anderson said. Looking back, Anderson figures he was able to speak with Charles for a minute and a half or two minutes. The King was "unbelievably gracious" and charming, Anderson said. "In our brief interaction, [he was] using humour, asking about my family, asking me about my role in Italy," he said. "I don't think he knows why I was actually receiving the award, but he congratulated me nonetheless for whatever I had done to receive it. "It was for me a profoundly important moment in my military career and my life as a very proud Canadian individual." While King Charles was in Canada this week, other Canadians reflected on their own receipt of a Coronation Medal. "It was a real honour and a reflection of what everybody who got the award, the medal, how much they've done and what a great community that they've created, either in their own community or globally," Sherry Benson-Podolchuk, a retired RCMP officer who has done extensive work around workplace harassment and bullying, told the CBC's chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault in an interview from Gimli, Man. "And it's just a ripple effect of good work, kindness, authenticness and wanting to make the world a better place." WATCH | Coronation Medal recipients reflect on their experience: Hear from 2 recipients of the King Charles III Coronation Medal 4 days ago Duration 6:54 Medals specifically associated with events like coronations and jubilees started to be popularized in the early 20th century, says Justin Vovk, a royal historian at McMaster University in Hamilton. "While orders of chivalry and knighthood were still somewhat bound to the old class system, medals were a way of including more of the monarch's subjects with these important milestones in their reigns." After the First and Second World Wars, they also became an important way for the Crown to recognize the service and contributions of ordinary men and women, Vovk said via email. "The way that medals are now used also serves to reflect the values of the monarchy, specifically in promoting service to our communities and our neighbours." For Anderson, receiving the medal from Charles was an "incredible" experience. "The thing that I've been telling people about in the aftermath of this event is — and I recognize that [Charles has] had a lot of practice — but the almost superhuman ability [he has] to connect with people in short snippets and also not to come across as utterly exhausted … and to put on a brave face, stiff upper lip, whatever you want to call it — it was amazing." Anderson was also left marvelling at how Charles carried out his role that day, under the scrutiny of cameras, deploying "statecraft on the global stage." He also considers Charles to be "incredibly impressive" in "his ability to navigate the complex world in which we live and to act as a diplomat for Canada and in the interest of Canada and all of the other realms in which he is head of state." "It's incredible and part of that thing which I've found deeply humbling as part of this whole experience." A boost in popularity for King Charles Our friend in the CBC Politics bureau, J.P. Tasker, had this report the other day: King Charles is enjoying a popularity boost and there is considerably more support for maintaining Canada's ties to the Crown now than when he assumed the throne, according to public opinion polls released this week around his two-day visit to deliver a historic throne speech. After the long-reigning and hugely popular Queen Elizabeth died in 2022, there was talk across the Commonwealth realms, including in Canada, about whether it was time to do away with the Crown and embrace republicanism. The U.K.-based Lord Ashcroft firm released a poll ahead of Charles's coronation showing particularly dire levels of support for the monarchy in Canada, finding this country ranked close to last among the 15 countries that have the King as their head of state. At the time, just 23 per cent of the 2,020 Canadian respondents surveyed as part of that poll said they would vote to keep the Crown if there was a referendum, Lord Ashcroft found. The picture has changed dramatically in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's 51st state taunts and sovereignty threats, which have prompted a revival of national pride and newfound affinity for Canadian institutions and symbols, polls suggest. Also, some people here have got to know Charles better and like what they see, pollsters say. Polling firm Pollara surveyed 3,400 Canadians between May 20 and 24 and found Charles's popularity in Canada has risen substantially since the last time the firm polled on the issue in 2022, with the number of people holding a positive view of the sovereign up seven percentage points to 44 per cent and those with a negative view down 10 points to 23 per cent. That growth in personal popularity has fuelled support for Canada remaining a constitutional monarchy, Pollara found, with more respondents saying they want the country to keep the Crown (45 per cent) compared to the number who say they want it gone (39 per cent) — a reversal from the last poll the firm did when a plurality of people reported they want to cut ties. In an interview with CBC News, Dan Arnold, chief strategy officer at Pollara, said there has been a "statistically significant" increase in support for Charles and maintaining the Crown in Canada. "Canadians are feeling better about the Crown and I would speculate that's probably because they're looking for a little bit of stability in a world that feels unstable right now. And there's nothing more stable than an institution that's been around for multiple centuries," Arnold said. "This is, to some extent, seen as an institution that gives us something in this fight with Trump." He noted that while Charles's numbers still aren't as high as his mother's were, "we see a clear increase in terms of the people who feel good about him and a sharp decline in his negatives." Arnold says Charles's performance as King is part of the reason why. "Charles came to power at a time when there was a lot of controversy around him — anybody who's watched The Crown or followed the news for the last 30 years knows all about that — and he's been able to put some of that behind him or at least tamp it down a bit during his time on the throne," Arnold said, adding Charles's cancer battle may also have prompted some sympathy. An Ipsos poll, also released this week, found 66 per cent of the 1,000 people it surveyed in May say Canada's relationship with the monarchy is useful because it sets us apart from our neighbours to the south who live in a presidential republic — up from 54 per cent who said the same in April 2023. Sixty-five per cent of the Ipsos respondents said the monarchy is an important part of Canada's heritage, up from 58 per cent two years ago. There's also been a drop in respondents who say Canada should cut ties to the Crown, falling from a high of 60 per cent in January 2020 to 46 per cent now — a result roughly in line with what Pollara found. And it's not just polls that suggest Charles is enjoying a better standing in Canada — the monarch drew sizable crowds throughout Ottawa on his tour with Queen Camilla this week. The turnout was stronger than what greeted him on his 2022 visit, when he came as Prince of Wales. Thousands of cheering spectators snaked through the parliamentary precinct to catch a glimpse of Charles in the landau ahead of his speech, a warm reception that appeared to prompt some emotion from the sovereign. "Royals don't normally 'do' emotion, at least they do their very best to hide whatever feeling they have. But for some reason, King Charles seemed unable to do that on this occasion at the end of a short, but highly significant, visit," British broadcaster ITV noted in its coverage of the speech. "It was the warmest of welcomes and the fondest of returns to a nation and a people we love," Charles and Camilla said in a joint statement after their visit. John Fraser, founding president of the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada, said he doesn't pay much attention to polls — support for the monarchy can go up and down depending on what's in the news. But Fraser said it is evident more people are rallying around the Crown now than they were just a few years ago. "Mr. Chrétien was on to something when he said we should give the Order of Canada to Trump," Fraser said in an interview referring to the former prime minister's quip, adding that the Trump factor has breathed new life into many Canadian institutions, not just the monarchy. "The president may well have given the Crown in Canada a leg up," he said. Charles's Canadian sovereignty talk in the throne speech this week — and his pledge that the country is "indeed" the True North "strong and free" — also likely gave the Crown's standing a boost, Fraser said, especially among people who were clamouring to see the head of state say something as the country faces Trump's annexationist musings. WATCH | The full throne speech read by King Charles: FULL SPEECH | King Charles delivers speech from the throne 5 days ago Duration 28:24 King Charles, speaking from the Senate chamber on Tuesday, delivered a speech from the throne that acknowledged the worry that comes with a 'drastically changing world' — including a changing relationship between Canada and the U.S. But the speech also looked forward, pointing to government plans to increase affordability, take on major projects and build a strong economy that 'serves everyone.' "I thought he handled himself impeccably," he said. "This throne speech really cemented Charles's role in Canada," added Robert Finch, chairman of the Monarchist League of Canada. "I've always said the real threat against the monarchy isn't republicanism per se but apathy. Well, after this week, there's a real sense of renewed interest in this institution." He said republicans were counting on an unpopular King Charles to sever Canada's ties to the monarchy. "I just don't think that's going to present itself now," Finch said. "There are certain moments in history that can make or break something and I think this particular tour, in some part due to the timing and the Trump factor, helped make King Charles's position in Canada secure and for that I'm very grateful." WATCH | King Charles and Queen Camilla wrap up visit: King Charles leaves Canada after throne speech 4 days ago Duration 2:40 Still, some chafed at the idea of Charles taking a stand for Canada in the face of Trump. "We're telling Donald Trump, 'You're not the foreign billionaire who's our boss. This is the foreign billionaire who's our boss,'" said Pierre Vincent, a spokesperson for Citizens for a Canadian Republic. 'Exciting' and 'surreal' to meet King Charles As short as King Charles's visit to Ottawa was this week, several Canadians did have a chance to meet briefly with him. Sarah Vickery, director of programming at the King's Trust Canada, and Maxwell Evans, a member of the youth council at the King's Trust, say they found it reaffirming to speak with him about the work they are doing. WATCH | Talking about the King's Trust with the King: 'Exciting' and 'surreal': King's Trust Canada team members talk about meeting King Charles 5 days ago Duration 4:07 Sarah Vickery, director of programming at the King's Trust Canada, and Maxwell Evans, a member of the youth council at the King's Trust, talk about how their organization works with young people and what it was like to meet King Charles as he makes his 20th visit to Canada. Royally quotable "It is with a sense of deep pride and pleasure that my wife and I join you here today, as we witness Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity, and hope." — King Charles, opening the speech from the throne this week. Royal reads Princess Anne met with medical staff who treated those injured when a car drove into crowds at a victory parade in Liverpool, England. [Daily Mail] Princess Eugenie has said she "couldn't get out of bed or do anything for myself" while recovering after scoliosis surgery as a child. [BBC] Wildlife rangers perform "one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet," Prince William said at the launch of a docuseries highlighting these "unseen, unheard and undervalued" heroes of the natural world. [The Guardian] James Middleton has opened up about how his sister, Catherine, Princess of Wales, supported him through struggles with his mental health. [BBC]
