Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary to Receive Order of Canada

8/6/2003

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OTTAWA – The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today congratulated the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Harry Strong, for being chosen to receive the Order of Canada. This year’s recipients of the country’s highest honour for lifetime achievement were announced yesterday by Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada. Madame Clarkson also holds the role of Honourary Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard.

“Harry Strong has selflessly dedicated much of his life to volunteerism, not only within his own community but to the country as a whole,” said Minister Thibault. “His years with the Coast Guard Auxiliary have resulted in a strong team of dedicated volunteers ready to respond to any maritime search and rescue call. Canadians, out on our waters, are safer today because of the dedication of Mr. Strong.”

When the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary in Newfoundland was formed in 1979 to provide search and rescue assistance, Harry Strong stepped forward with his 50-foot fishing vessel to offer his services to the Auxiliary in search and rescue operations off of Newfoundland. Today, he is the Chief Executive Officer of the national organization, volunteering over 40 hours a week to the position. In addition, he has squeezed in time as a volunteer firefighter, union representative and served more than 20 years on his Town Council, including two terms as mayor.

Mr. Strong has worked aggressively toward the expansion and effectiveness of the Auxiliary. His vision and drive has seen it grow dramatically in recent years, in terms of membership, geographic coverage and sources of support. The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary today has close to 5,000 members and 1,600 enrolled vessels.

“The Canadian Coast Guard relies heavily on the volunteer services of its Auxiliary. These men and women are often the first to arrive on the scene of a vessel in distress,” said John Adams, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard. “I cannot say enough about the contribution that Harry Strong has made to the Coast Guard Auxiliary and to Canadians as a whole.”

The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary annually responds to over 1,700 search and rescue incidents, conducts over 3,000 courtesy checks of pleasure craft, spreads the safe boating message at over 250 boat shows and exhibitions, and saves approximately 200 lives.

The Auxiliary will be celebrating its 25th anniversary of service to Canadians this weekend in Kingston, Ontario.

More information on the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary can be found at
http://www.ccga-gcac.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Steve Outhouse
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 990-7537

Caroline Quinn
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, (613) 992-3474

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca