… Women of Distinction Award for Dr Dionne Duncan

By Frederick Halley
FRESH from her recent International Women’s Achievers Award (IWAA) for 2017,

distinguished scholar Dr Dionne Duncan added another prestigious accolade to her already bulging collection when she was presented with the Women of Distinction award at the 20th annual J.S Woodsworth Awards for Human Rights & Equity, held at the Jamaica Canadian Association, Toronto, Ontario last Sunday.

At a lavish and entertaining ceremony, attended by her Guyanese parents Hector and Util Duncan and other close family members, Dr Duncan was among 13 women who received their awards from National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Andrea Horwath.
Apart from the Women of Distinction category, other recipients included Individual Leadership, Youth Leadership and Group Excellence.

Dr Duncan graduated from the University of Toronto last year with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Policy Management and Informatics. She has since been serving as general manager of the Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association (MACCA).
Dr Duncan also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Mass Communications, a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, an Executive Degree in Business Relations from York University and Kellog-Schulich School of Business. Apart from being general manager for MACCA, Dr Duncan also serves on several boards within the Greater Ontario Region, including Wychwood Open Door, a charitable organisation and is part of the advisory board that supports cancer research and services throughout the region.

Dr. Duncan’s work is centered on developing and integrating innovative statistical approaches to advance public health and health care research and support across Ontario. Her methodological research focuses on nonparametric, machine learning for casual inference and prediction within health policy and informatics. She also works on risk adjustment, comparative effectiveness, research and health programme impact evaluations.
In her remarks, Horwath pointed out that the awards are about gratitude, because every nominee is deserving of thanks. “The reality is that for many of you, the work you do will never earn you accolades, fame, or fortune. And I know that’s not what motivates you. You are doing what you do, because you believe in improving your community, helping your neighbours, and creating a future we can all be proud of.

“This kind of work often demands personal sacrifice, long hours, and a serious sense of determination. But you do it selflessly, to offer a better life to those who may come after you, and to make a better life for you, your family, and all Ontarians.”
Horwath also slammed reports about anti-Black, anti-Semitic, or Islamophobic attack in Ontario, observing that kind of racism and prejudice have no place in Ontario, or Canada.
“Just last month, it was my privilege to stand and speak in favour of the recent motion – supported by all parties – condemning Islamophobia in Ontario. And my caucus colleagues and I were proud to join leaders and activists in communities across this province to call for the establishment an Anti-Racism Directorate in Ontario.”

Horwath disclosed that last October, her colleague Teresa Armstrong had put forward legislation to declare October Islamic Heritage Month across Ontario. “And with open letters media pressure, I’ve been calling on the Premier to declare Ontario a ‘Sanctuary Province. But the reality is that the motions and bills we pass in the legislature don’t always have a huge impact on the day-to-day lives of Ontarians.”
Horwath described those present at the ceremony as champions, working every day to improve Ontario one way or another. “That’s what the J.S Woodsworth awards are all about. In the face of so much negativity, today is about the positive. Today is about gratitude, and inspiration.”

James Shaver Woodsworth, the “conscience of Canada,” helped create Canada’s social-security system. His combination of leadership, determination, and an unrelenting desire for social reform changed the lives of all working Canadians.

Born in Etobicoke, Ontario in 1874, J.S. Woodsworth was educated at Victoria College and Oxford University. He later worked with urban immigrant populations, was a staunch democratic socialist, and an ardent supporter of trade-union collective bargaining.

Woodsworth maintained his controversial views at great personal expense. In 1917, he resigned from his government position because of his opposition to conscription. Two years later, he was arrested for his participation in the Winnipeg General Strike. His fortunes changed in 1921 when Manitoba’s voters elected him to the House of Commons with the Independent Labour Party slogan “Human Needs before Property Rights.” He mastered parliamentary procedure and effectively used the House of Commons to focus awareness of the unemployed, the elderly, immigrants and farmers. His parliamentary genius helped establish a multiparty political system and forced the government to recognize the labour movement.

In 1926, Woodsworth realized his lifelong ambition when he and fellow Labour Party MP A.A. Heaps guaranteed Prime Minister Mackenzie King a coalition government in return for Mackenzie King’s creation of Canada’s Old-Age Pension plan. The following year, the plan was introduced and became the cornerstone of Canada’s social-security system.

In 1933, Woodsworth became the leader of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, forerunner to today’s New Democratic Party. Ever the adamant pacifist, Woodsworth won his last election in 1940 by a scant majority. He subsequently suffered a stroke and died in 1942.