Neighbourhood Link Homes, 2802 Danforth

Ground Breaking Ceremony

Friday, July 15, 2005

The Hon. Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing, and Beaches-East York MP Maria Minna visited Neighbourhood Link / Senior Link to break the ground for the new seniors' residence on Danforth which will use solar energy provided by Mondial Energy. Mondial's VP Sales, Fred Gillespie (below right), was MC for the event. (See also the Press Release.)

"Good morning ladies and gentleman, my name is Fred Gillespie, from Mondial Energy. It’s my pleasure to welcome you this morning and to act as your Master of Ceremony for this most significant event.

"Mondial Energy is honoured to have been asked to act as Master of Ceremonies for this morning’s event and on behalf of Alex Winch, who could not be here today, Mondial Energy extends our congratulations to Neighbourhood Link – Senior Link for this important accomplishment.

"Mondial Energy is proud to be playing our part in meeting this community’s need for affordable housing by delivering low cost, environmentally friendly solar thermal energy.

"For those of you who live in the community, you already know the significant role and contribution that NL-SL makes – but I’d like to highlight just a few facts that some of you may not know:

• 2005 marks the 30th anniversary of NL-SL providing support services to this community.
• Today SL employs 160 workers and manages over 1,000 volunteers – making it the largest employer in this community.
• NL-SL was the initiator of the groundbreaking Supportive Housing concept and today manages over 300 units spread across three buildings.

"And now it’s my privilege to introduce to you Judith Leon, the Executive Director of NL-SL (at right in photo, with Gerrie Burnett, Housing Development Manager). For those of you who know Judith, you know that it has been her outstanding leadership that can be credited with many of the agency’s accomplishments since she took over its leadership 30 years ago. Indeed it has been the inspiration from Judith that has lead many of its workers to be with NL-SL and making the agency such a great success."

[Ms Leon delivers her remarks and introduces dignitaries]

MP Minna (left) delivers her greetings and introduces Minister Fontana.

The Hon. Joe Fontana

Minister Fontana delivers his speech (right).

Fred Gillespie resumes: "Minister Fontana, I’d like to thank you for attending today’s event and especially for your encouraging and supportive remarks this morning. Your support and the support of the Federal Government have been key to reaching today’s milestone and we look forward to continuing this journey towards extending housing services to Canada’s homeless. On a personal note, I would like to extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to you and your family on the recent passing of your mother.

"I’d now like to introduce the Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for Ontario."

[Minister Gerretsen delivers speech (right).]

Fred Gillespie: "Thank you Minister Gerretsen for your remarks this morning. It’s clear that you share a passion similar to Judith’s in your care and concern for this community and all its residents. Thank you for attending today and thank you for your continued support to NL-SL and our community.

"Now it’s my pleasure to introduce Councillor Janet Davis, who is councillor for Ward 31 – Beaches – East York. Councillor Davis is active on many local community committees and agencies – including Chair of Working Group on Immigration and Refugee Issues and Chair of Toronto and East York Community Council."

[Councillor Davis delivers speech.]

Fred Gillespie: "Thank you very much Councillor Davis. We know the City Council and especially Mayor Miller have been very supportive to this project and we are very appreciative of this support.

"Before we participate in the ground breaking, I’d like to take this time to thank everyone for coming out on this very hot day. In particular, I’d like to thank Joe from the Carpet store next door for attending and also allowing us to borrow his electricity for the day as well as keeping an eye on the property while it was vacant. I’d also like to acknowledge the previous owner of this property, Frank Bakos, who made this site possible and is happily attending and supporting the project as well. Finally, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to our skilled and resourceful architect for this project – Robert Reimers. Robert we love your design and can’t wait to see it in its finished form.

"And now I’d like to invite all of our dignitaries to participate in the official ground breaking ceremony with Judith Leon leading the way."

Photo opportunity, media scrum and light refreshments followed.

 

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