Foothills residents are being given the opportunity to recognize their peers’ contributions to their community.
In honour of Canada’s upcoming sesquicentennial, Foothills MP John Barlow has launched a program that recognizes those who are making a difference in the region – the Foothills Canada 150 Medal.
Residents across the Foothills riding are being asked to nominate their peers who are known strong community supporters and builders, volunteers, athletes, artists – anyone making a difference in the community and helping build southern Alberta.
“There’s nothing out there right now to commemorate Canada’s 150th on an individual basis,” said Barlow. “Certainly lots of communities are doing their celebrations, but there’s nothing to recognize the work that people have put in to make Canada what it is and we just thought that’s a missed opportunity.
“We should be doing these things that celebrate our history, celebrate our communities, but also celebrate the people who have worked extremely hard to make our communities what they are.”
Barlow has spent 20 years working in the local media and the past three years as the MP and said he’s seen a lot of the hard work that goes into making communities successful, and wants to shine a light on the people working behind the scenes.
A total of 150 residents will be recognized with the Foothills Canada 150 Medal. Nominees not selected for a medal will receive a certificate recognizing their efforts, he said.
Nominations must be submitted by April 14. A seven-person third-party selection committee will choose the winners who will be announced at an official event June 17, he said.
A person must be a resident in the Foothills riding to be eligible and entries must be made by a nominator and a seconder with letters of support from each. The application must include the nominee’s resume or a complete description of their activities and can include newspaper articles or other documentation to support the nomination.
“I’m honestly hoping we’re overwhelmed with nominations,” said Barlow. “I’m hoping we have too many rather than not enough.”
The medal itself – commissioned by AJ’s Trophies & Gifts in High River – is gold in colour, with the Canada 150 logo on one side and Canada’s coat of arms on the other, with “Foothills Riding” inscribed on it.
Barlow said he’s excited to be able to offer a program unique to the Foothills, in light of the federal government opting not to issue its own national medals.
“For whatever reason they did not want to do it and we just thought it was too good of an idea to not to do it,” said Barlow. “I think other members of parliament are going to try to do something similar, but this is our own project, our own program.
“Hopefully this will be something that people will remember and that they’ll cherish, something they can pass on to their family.”
Nomination forms can be found online at www.johnbarlowmp.ca
They can also be picked up in person at Foothills constituency offices in High River and Fort MacLeod.
