North Vancouver resident Christine Loock and West Vancouver resident Jack McGee were named as two of the province’s 25 recipients of the award last week.
The awards are given out to British Columbians who help build better, stronger, more resilient communities and shine as examples of dedication and service, according to the B.C. Achievement Foundation.
In a statement, B.C. Premier John Horgan said that this year’s winners were remarkable British Columbians who had strengthened their communities during challenges times.
“As a result of their commitments to causes beyond themselves, they have ensured that B.C. is a better province for all of us.”
An educator, doctor and purveyor of “social pediatrics,” Loock was honoured for her career so far in health care, including her pioneering work on identifying youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in the justice system and her instrumental work in creating FASD-related programs and services, according to the foundation.
McGee was honoured for his work as a founding board member of the Pacific Autism Family Network and as the co-founder of the Autism Awareness and Techniques Program for First Responders, which has resulted in thousands of first responders in B.C. and across Canada being trained on autism prevalence and support strategies, according to the foundation.
An independent committee selects the recipients of the community award every year.
Recipients are traditionally recognized in a formal presentation ceremony in Victoria with the lieutenant-governor, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions the 2021 awardees will be celebrated online, according to a news release.
