TORONTO, ON April 19, 2013 – The Catholic Civil Rights League is pleased to announce that its annual dinner will take place May 30 at Spirale Banquet and Conference Centre in Toronto. The evening will include a keynote address by Stephen Woodworth, MP Kitchener-Centre, and the presentation of the Archbishop Exner Award for Catholic Excellence in Public Life. Mr. Woodworth was the author of Motion 312, which sought a parliamentary inquiry into updating Criminal Code provisions regarding when life begins.
Invitations have been mailed to active League members residing in the M and L postal codes. Others wishing to attend can order their tickets using this form, or by contacting us at ccrl@ccrl.ca or 416-466-8244.
The winner of the Archbishop Exner Award will be announced earlier in May.
About the Archbishop Exner Award
The League established the Archbishop Exner Award for Catholic Excellence in Public Life in 2004 to honour Archbishop Adam Exner, OMI, Archbishop Emeritus of Vancouver, upon his retirement and to recognize outstanding achievement in advocacy, education, life issues, media and culture and philanthropy. Previous recipients include:
*Michael O’Brien, internationally renowned artist and author of many best-selling novels, including Father Elijah: An Apocalypse. Mr. O’Brien received the award in 1912.
* Michael Coren, author and broadcaster, for his outspoken defense of Catholicism in media (2011)
* Suzanne LaVallee of Quebec for leadership in education (2010)
* Frank Chauvin of Windsor, Ontario, founder of Haiti’s first orphanage for girls and initiator of an application for review of the process by which Henry Morgentaler was awarded the Order of Canada (2009)
* Dr. and Mrs. Andrew and Joan Simone of Toronto, co-founders of Canadian Food for Children, for services to philanthropy and international aid (2008)
*Campaign Life Coalition President Jim Hughes of Toronto for service to the pro-life movement (2007)
* J. Fraser Field of Vancouver, founder of Catholic Educators’ Resource Centre, for service to education (2006; awarded in 2007)
* The late Regina business leader Frederick W. Hill for philanthropy and community service (2005).
About CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization and has chapters across Canada. The Catholic Civil Rights League is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.
For further information: Joanne McGarry, Executive Director, 416-466-8244; joanne.mcgarry@ccrl.ca