Rob Wright is the Assistant Deputy Minister responsible is leading the implementation of the Long Term Vision and Plan—the federal government’s strategy for the restoration and modernization of the Canada’s Parliamentary Precinct. His responsibilities also include the ongoing operations and maintenance of the Precinct to support the continued operations of Parliament and the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council.
The current focus of the LTVP is the Centre Block—the centre Canadian parliamentary democracy and the most complex heritage restoration project ever undertaken in Canada—as well as redevelopment of Block 2. Block 2 is currently the subject of an international design competition and a central element of the broader plan to transform the Precinct into a modern integrated campus that meets the needs of modern .
Before assuming the role of Assistant Deputy Minister, Mr. Wright was the regional head of the Public Services and Procurement’s Atlantic Region, where he led the planning and delivery of a broad range of services and supported major initiatives, including the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens Remediation Project. He has also held positions at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Privy Council Office.
Mr. Wright holds degrees from St. Thomas University in Fredericton and the University of Western Ontario in London. His areas of study included engineering, history, and leadership and governance.
Congratulations to The Rotary Club of Toronto and President John Fortney, 2020-21
On September 10th Past DG Mark Chipman was on hand to present Rotary International's Citation award.
the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve from Rotary International!
The Rotary Citation is awarded to clubs that meet certain goals established each year by the Rotary International President. During a year that was challenging for many Rotarians around the world, these clubs demonstrated a commitment to achieve their goals, which ultimately helps strengthen Rotary and shape our future.
To achieve the 2020-21 Rotary Citation, clubs had to meet at least 13 of the 25 goals set by 2020-21 RI President Holger Knaack. These goals included
Club membership
Conference attendance
Membership involvement in club service and District training
Contributions to funds such as polio, annual fund
Fellowship activities
Service projects
And of course you played an instrumental role in the coordination of fundraising for ShelterBox, Beirut and St Vincent's,
Congratulations once again on a job well done and for making a positive difference in our local communities and around the world, and continued success in 2021-22!
This came during our meeting to honour our fabulous young people who have been awarded The Rotary Club of Toronto Scholarships over the last few years. Details of winners are on our club website.
PP John on hand to receive Citation award from Mark Chipman and Prince
IMPACT REPORT
The Club and Foundation work together to have an impact. Here is a recent example from one of the organizations…
Rotary and YES: Changing Lives with Canada’s Most Vulnerable Youth
In 1968 The Rotary Club of Toronto saw desperate youth in need and created YES- Youth Employment Services. 50 years later and hundreds of thousands of youth served, YES has become the Canadian youth employment training and job placement leader, annually serving tens of thousands, many disadvantaged, with a close to 90% success rate. YES’ FREE world class counselling and training include mental health programs, entrepreneurial, digital literacy, mentorship and more. YES changes lives and helps create safer stronger communities.
Toronto Rotary funding to YES has been instrumental during the pandemic. With entire industries wiped out and youth unemployment near 30% at one point, YES leveraged Rotary funding to create YES2TECH, a digital literacy and cloud computing program to gain certification in high demand jobs. The impact has been profound and so many young people now have a high paying jobs and a career, while staffing the high tech sector helps make Canada stronger. One youth stated, “When Covid hit I was unemployed, desperate and I felt worthless. A friend told me about YES and after meeting my career counselor I Immediately felt worthy and excited about the possibilities. YES gave me the skills and confidence to reach higher and I now have a career I love in the growing area of cloud computing. Thank you YES - you saved my life."
Congratulations to Member Sarah Hui!
Sarah and Sonca Teng first met in the spring of 2013 as team mates on a dragon boat team. Sonca would always keep Sarah posted on all the different social events with the team and Sarah would always jokingly yell at Sonca when he stopped paddling during practice.
In the spring of 2020, they got engaged at Evergreen Brickworks, which is where they went on their first date. On June 25, 2021, they got married along the scenic cliffside of Big Sur in California looking out at the Pacific Ocean.
They plan to have a wedding celebration with friends and family next summer in Toronto.
Upcoming Meetings
Friday, October 1 - Jon Allen, Former Ambassador to Israel
Wednesday, October 6th, President's Cocktails at 5:30 pm, featuring our Past Presidents Council
There will be no meeting on Friday, October 8 - Enjoy Thanksgiving!
The annual District 7070 Foundation Walk will be held in Trenton on Sunday September 26th. Covid Protocols will be followed with different groups walking in morning and afternoon.
