Individual

Dr. Heather MacKinnon had a distinguished military career. She served as a medical officer for 12 years and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Today, Dr. MacKinnon operates a medical practice in Halifax focused on serving military and RCMP Veterans. She is a passionate advocate for Veterans. She tirelessly presses the federal and provincial governments for improvement in healthcare programs to better serve the needs of Veterans and their families. She is highly regarded by her colleagues as well as her current and former patients.

Jerome Burke is a dedicated ambassador for the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS). He served in various executive roles with ANAVETS over the past ten years and currently serves as Vice President of the Dominion Command and as their National Advocacy Committee Chairman. Jerome spearheaded major fundraising events for his ANAVETS’ unit and many other organizations – raising tens of thousands of dollars for his community. Jerome is also member of the Royal Canadian Legion. With his extraordinary leadership, Jerome demonstrates the positive impact Veterans have on their communities. Jerome resides in New Waterford, Nova Scotia.

William (Bill) Gidley has contributed more than 10 years to the RCMP Veterans’ Association, including serving as Executive Director. In his recent role as National Advocate for the RCMP Veterans’ Association, Bill remained committed to promoting the fair treatment of Veterans and their families in accordance with the Veterans Bill of Rights. A noteworthy leader, Bill has been at the forefront of helping RCMP Veterans obtain benefits from Veterans Affairs Canada. Bill resides in Orleans, Ontario.

John D. Gillis has dedicated more than 50 years of tireless service to the Royal Canadian Legion, many years to the Korean Veterans Association and has held executive roles with the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS). His distinguished leadership and superlative work with the Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg exemplifies the deep concern he has for the welfare of the most vulnerable Veterans. John continues to be a committed, active member of the Deer Lodge Foundation Board and its Joint Veterans Committee. John resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

David Munro, currently serving as Zone Commander, South/Mid Vancouver Island, for the Royal Canadian Legion, has devoted more than 20 years to serving Veterans, including as President of the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association. He actively participated in the development of the New Veterans Charter, and played a significant role in the crafting of the Seventh Book of Remembrance. With remarkable leadership, David was instrumental in the development of low income, quality housing for Veterans and seniors in his community, and in initiating the Cockrell House project for homeless Veterans, in Colwood. David resides in Chemainus, British Columbia.

Dennis Manuge has demonstrated outstanding courage by standing up for Veterans as the main claimant of a class action lawsuit against the Crown for the so-called SISIP claw-back as well as being an advocate and leader in Veterans community. If his claim is successful, it will significantly enhance the financial security and lives of many Veterans.

As the critic for his party on Veterans’ issues, Peter Stoffer has amassed detailed knowledge of the challenges facing Veterans. Thanks to his tireless advocacy, he has helped bring Veterans’ issues to the forefront and centre of Canadian discourse, championing their cause while holding Ottawa accountable for its responsibility to Veterans.

Encouraged by many Veterans, John Labelle formed a committee aimed at terminating all reduction formulas that are being applied to military and RCMP pension plans after seeking and receiving support for a private member’s bill from Peter Stoffer, MP Sackville-Eastern Shore.

After a distinguished career in the Canadian Forces, Mr. Leduc became extremely active in Veterans’ issues. He has regularly provided advice to the Department on how to meet the emerging needs of CF Veterans and families and has become one of the foremost experts in the history, laws, orders and authorities associated with Veterans’ programs.

Honour House President, Allan De Genova, was inspired by the story of a Canadian Soldier, Captain Trevor Greene, who was very seriously injured as he served with the Canadian Military in Afghanistan in 2006. Captain Trevor Greene’s family struggled to find a way to be by his side as he recovered overseas and also when he arrived back in Canada. Allan recognized a need to provide more support for those who serve and the vision of a “home away from home” for military and emergency services families was born. Allan was handed a challenge coin by the then-Canadian Chief of Defence, General Rick Hillier which inspired him to power forward relentlessly with his vision until Honour House was opened in New Westminster in November 2010. Set on a quiet tree-lined street, Honour House is a beautiful, fully-accessible 10 bedroom and ensuite home with a large shared kitchen that provides a temporary home for Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, Emergency Services Personnel and their families while they travel to receive medical care and treatment in the Metro Vancouver area. Just over four years later, Honour House has provided thousands of nights of free accommodation for our men and women in uniform and their families as they’ve gone through some of the toughest times in their lives.