Toward a

Barrier-free

Future

2021-2022 Annual Report


​Message from Board Chair Jay Hira and President & CEO Len Baker

At March of Dimes Canada (MODC), we’re on the road to a barrier-free future. That’s the focus of everything we do, and it’s the theme of this year’s Annual Report. Guided by the voices of people with disabilities and their families, we’ve worked as One Team to champion equity and empower ability across Canada through our new strategic plan, which we launched in October 2021.

Our plan is built around four strategic focus areas — best start for children, youth, and families; independence at home and in the community; active, healthy, connected, lives; and financial security — that inform every initiative we undertake. It identifies key challenges that persist, as well as opportunities to create meaningful change that will help our clients reach their goals and transform how they’re included in society.

In this report, we’re proud to share powerful stories and highlights from each focus area to illustrate how we’re helping individuals thrive while shaping our shared vision of an inclusive, barrier-free future.

While COVID continued to impact our work this past year, we successfully delivered on our promise to support more people in more communities, while maintaining a sustainable financial position and investing in strong teams and systems to drive our work.

We’ve taken the lessons we learned early in the pandemic and applied them to our current and future efforts. We continue to work with our clients to design the support they need and want, embracing our role as an innovative and agile leader in Canada’s disability sector.

All of this — every success, every milestone, every achievement — has been made possible by our dedicated and resilient team of staff, volunteers, partners, and clients. And by you – our generous donors and supporters. We’re proud of our work, and we’re excited about where we’re heading and the world we’re creating together.

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Jay Hira 
Board Chair
Leonard Baker
President & CEO


icon of person supported by a hand
Purpose: Champion equity. Empower ability. 

icon of mountain with flag on top
Vision: An inclusive, barrier-free society for people with disabilities. 


icon of arrow in a bullseye
Mission: To be Canada’s leading service provider, resource, and advocate empowering people with disabilities to live and thrive in their communities.
icon of a diamond above a hand Values: Client focus. Collaboration. Accountability. Innovation. 


Barrier-free from the beginning

Life should be barrier-free from the beginning. That’s why we’re providing the best start for children, youth, and families by engaging with and listening to our clients, amplifying their voices, and building the responsive programs and resources they need to thrive. We partner with our clients to help them realize their full potential and move toward an active, independent future.
icon of route to a destination
105
clients learned to navigate daily challenges in Conductive Education (CE)
icon of guiding a person towards a goal
92
clients gained life skills through Learning Independence for Future Empowerment (L.I.F.E.)
icon of sand toys
57
kids enjoyed Conductive Education camps

Teaching kids and adults how to gain independence

We helped 105 children and youth with neurological motor disorders develop the skills they will need for a bright future through our Conductive Education (CE) program, provided online and in-person in Toronto and Halifax. This unique combination of physical rehabilitation and education teaches skills and techniques that participants can use to navigate challenges posed by their disability and function as independently as possible.

Fifty-seven kids got to exercise their bodies, creativity, and independence during our summer and March Break CE camps. They enjoyed a range of fun activities that encouraged the development of skills they can use to perform daily tasks.


Helping young adults prepare for the future

We helped young adults with disabilities prepare for an active, independent future through our Learning Independence for Future Empowerment (L.I.F.E.) program, which provides skills development and hands-on opportunities for growth that support a successful transition to adulthood.

L.I.F.E. grew beyond Toronto, expanding to Calgary and Halifax with in-person and online sessions that attracted 92 participants. We also made the program available to all Albertans online, further expanding our reach and impact.  


Putting knowledge into action for our youngest clients 

We launched a new research initiative to explore people’s experiences of growing up with a disability, raising a child with a disability, and transitioning from pediatric to adult services. The information generated through this multi-year participatory study will help us identify unmet needs among children, youth, and families, and opportunities for MODC to play a stronger role in supporting these experiences by redesigning existing programs and developing new ones. 
Smiling Emily on a swing with her mother

A chance to grow: Emily’s story

Emily Ngai is a happy eight-year-old, who loves music, cartoons, and playing with other kids. She also faces significant challenges as she grows up with multiple disabilities, including severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy with dystonia, vision impairment, and a developmental delay. Emily is also non-verbal. 

Yet, as Emily’s mom Jenny attests, she loves taking part in MODC's Conductive Education (CE) program. Here, she gets to have fun, learn, and just be a kid. Emily’s been taking part in MODC’s program since she was less than a year old, helping her develop skills and gain confidence. 
Smiling Emily and mother playing with blocks on a porch
“Emily lights up when she sees other kids doing the same thing as her.”
—Jenny Ng, Emily’s mom and CE program participant

Emily enjoys a special bond with Monika Rumi, the lead instructor. “Emily can recognize Monika’s voice and loves to hear her sing,” says Jenny. “Monika is really good at creating activities that engage her.”

Monika helps Emily build independence through play-based activities, encouraging new ways of moving and strengthening her gross motor skills. For example, in one activity Monika encourages Emily to put her hands down on the mat and work to prop herself upright.

When they’re joining CE virtually, Jenny often places the monitor to the right of Emily, so that she needs to turn to see Monika. This helps strengthen her neck movement and increase her ability to use her augmentative communication device.

When it’s snack time, everyone eats together. “Eating has been a struggle. But Emily lights up when she sees other kids doing the same thing as her,” says Jenny. “It entices her to eat as well.”

Emily has made great strides, and so have her parents. Jenny says she feels a sense of community from being surrounded by other parents of kids living with disability. One of the most helpful things about the program is the positive mentality it fosters. She’s also encouraged to let Emily incorporate trying new things into her day-to-day life, like supporting Emily’s arm while she holds a towel to wipe her own face after eating.

“As Emily explores new skills, I’m often surprised,” says Jenny enthusiastically. “I tell her ‘I didn’t know you could do that!’ ”

Emily’s diagnosis means future challenges, but Jenny knows her daughter will use what she’s learned in MODC’s CE program for whatever lies ahead. “I want to ensure Emily can do the best she can,” explains Jenny. “That’s the main goal for all parents — see their child reach their potential.”

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Living a barrier-free life every day

Creating a barrier-free future means enabling everyday independence so our clients have choice and control over their lives. This includes better access to services, adequate funding, appropriate, affordable housing, and home and vehicle modifications. People with disabilities deserve to live in their communities on their own terms. We’re helping make that happen. 
icon of electric wheelchair
1,130 
Assistive Devices Program (ADP) clients served
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6,700 
clients served
icon of grant with ribbon
840 
Home and Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP) grants issued

Best-in-class service delivery

Our Community Support Services (CSS) team continued to provide crucial support at home and in the community through the second year of the pandemic. They diligently followed all public health regulations around masking, personal protective equipment, screening, physical distancing, and vaccination so they could safely help our clients with tasks of daily living like dressing, bathing, toileting, and meal preparation. With individual goals and implementation of compensatory strategies, clients with brain injuries were supported to increase independence in various parts of life. Because of their hard work and dedication, we were able to achieve exceptional client satisfaction ratings in our annual Attendant Services and Seniors Services survey. 

What our clients told us when we surveyed them:



red pie graph of 92%

of respondents were able to stay at home with our support

green pie graph of 92%

felt safe because of our COVID-19 precautions

teal pie graph of 90%

are satisfied with our services overall 

yellow pie graph of 85%

were able to be independent 

turquoise pie graph of 81%

described our services as responsive to their changing needs 

Helping people stay at home

We began providing attendant outreach, homemaking, and senior services to 400 additional clients when we took over contracts in new service territories. We expanded brain injury services to 15 new clients in Manitoba and Alberta. Another 12 clients will receive support with daily living in an affordable and accessible space thanks to new funding for Attendant Services Supportive Housing in Ontario.  

Expanding safety and accessibility at home and in the community

More people were able to stay at home and in their communities thanks to our Home and Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP). HVMP provides the financial and practical support successful applicants need to live where and how they choose. This can include partial funding for ramps, accessible bathrooms, wheelchair-accessible vans, and other large-scale modifications that make life safer and more convenient.

We also helped grow the HVMP program by successfully advocating for a $15M funding increase from the Government of Ontario over three years. This additional investment means we can fund modifications for 500 additional people per year, expanding our impact and our success.

Finally, more than 1,100 clients received necessary equipment like wheelchairs, scooters, and floor patient lifts through the ADP, thanks to support from the community and various United Way partners. These devices are often too expensive for those who need them, so ADP bridges that financial gap and helps successful applicants function as independently as possible.
 

Smiling Michelle being hugged by her daughter

A new chapter: Michelle's story

In 2013, Michelle Seguin was at her wits’ end. Severe chronic pain and inflammatory arthritis meant her mobility was limited. On top of it, Michelle was also recovering from spinal surgery. Michelle was struggling to give her daughter Aimée the life she’d always envisioned.

When her pain flared up, using the stairs was so difficult that Michelle needed to crawl up on her hands and knees. As Michelle lay flat on her back in bed — trying to manage pain and preserve energy — she was forced to look on sadly, as her daughter couldn’t go downstairs to play. “Life was very difficult and miserable back then,” she recalls.

Michelle and daughter standing in front of their modified car
“For me, more than anything, I just wanted my dignity back as a mom. I wanted to be able to do the things a mom does with her child.”
—Michelle Seguin, MODC HVMP program participant

Limited mobility didn’t just confine Michelle and Aimée to one floor, it also forced them to stay home most of the time. Michelle’s vehicle didn’t have a scooter lift, and when she was in extreme pain she could only go short distances with her cane or walker. “At times, I had to rely on friends and family to pick up groceries. Getting to medical appointments was challenging, if not impossible If I was having a bad flare up and couldn’t use my walker, I simply had to cancel,” Michelle explains.

As a single mom living on long-term disability, paying out of pocket for home and vehicle modifications to help regain independence simply wasn’t an option.

Michelle “hit a dark point” in 2020. That’s when she visited a local community resource centre seeking help. Thankfully, Michelle discovered MODC's HVMP. She received a chair lift in May 2021. A scooter lift for her vehicle was installed three months later. Both modifications have been transformative.

Today, if Michelle wants to check on Aimée and her friends when they’re socializing in the rec room, she doesn’t have to go down the stairs on all fours. Michelle also has more energy to help Aiméee with her homework. “Getting the chair lift and the scooter lift has been really life changing.”

The scooter lift has brought Michelle additional independence and freedom. On her first outing with her modified vehicle, she took Aimée to the local mall for some fun. “It felt amazing,” she says. “For me, more than anything, I just wanted my dignity back as a mom,” she adds. “I wanted to be able to do the things a mom does with her child.”

Access to HVMP funding has afforded her just that. With newfound independence, Michelle and Aimée are enjoying lots more adventures together. Up next? A fun camping trip this summer at a provincial park, in their modified vehicle.

Read more

Removing barriers and opening up communities

A barrier-free life includes being active, healthy, and connected. Unfortunately, many people living with disabilities feel isolated by the social stigma and challenges of navigating a world that isn’t always accessible. That’s why we’re enabling opportunities for learning, growth, and connection and helping make life rich and meaningful. 
icon of a group supported within hands
4,200
clients served
icon of a group of people
3,290
new clients reached
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55,000
client interactions

Helping people make connections 

Our Community Programs and After Stroke team engaged in a total of 55,000 client service interactions, for a 31% increase over last year. This included reaching 3,290 new clients across Canada with a variety of virtual programs designed to support connection and community: Ask the Expert, Exercise and Movement, Connect & Share, Hi, Tech!, Aphasia Peer Connect, Post-Polio Canada, and stroke support groups for survivors, young survivors, life partners, and caregivers.  


Supporting people in their lives after stroke

Nearly 3,100 stroke survivors and caregivers accessed our new After Stroke program, which was launched during Stroke Awareness Month in June 2021. After Stroke offers personalized recovery support to help clients and their families navigate the path forward after a stroke. Our team works with clients to find the programs and services that will help them achieve their goals. We also launched our new After Stroke website, which provides useful information, resources, and connections.

We also partnered with Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada to pilot Living with Stroke™, an eight-week community-based support and educational program designed for people who have experienced stroke and their caregivers. Participants make new connections and benefit from the knowledge, skills, and experience of others as they navigate their new reality. The program is co-facilitated by an After Stroke coordinator and a person who has experienced the effects of a stroke.

Finally, we contributed to the knowledge and insight around stroke recovery by welcoming Dr. Hardeep Singh as our second Paul J.J. Martin Early Career Professor in the University of Toronto’s Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Dr. Singh’s research will help us develop impactful, culturally adaptive services for stroke survivors at MODC and will inform best practices across Canada and internationally. 


Building communities with our clients 

Nearly 5,100 clients received support for community participation, activities of daily living, and person-directed planning through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) Passport Program (delivered by our Employment Services team) so they can enjoy active, engaged lives.

We partnered with TELUS to launch Tech for Good, a three-year, $175,000 agreement that will expand the program across Canada. This partnership will extend professional assistance — including customized training, recommendations, and support — to more people with disabilities so they can use their mobile devices independently.

Another 111 clients accessed our Hi, Tech! program for coaching that helped them build their digital skill set and connect with people, communities, and opportunities online. Our first Hi, Tech! webinar also introduced 190 participants to accessibility features that support vision, hearing, physical access, and memory/cognition. The program supported through a $95,000 grant from the Government of Canada’s Healthy Communities Initiative.
Smiling John

Connecting to creativity: John’s story

Back in 2010, John Hornstein was an active and social person, who enjoyed connecting with family and friends. He loved making art in his spare time. That was until his spinal cord was crushed in a tragic cycling accident.

“After my injury, my girlfriend said I was moving my hands quite a bit, and waving my arms,” John says. But, within days, that movement stopped. The accident caused traumatic swelling of his stenotic spinal cord, killing the nerves between several vertebrae. John found himself hospitalized for a decade.
“The technology currently coming out is making it possible for people with disabilities to live their lives.”
—John Hornstein, TELUS Tech for Good program recipient

Today, assistive technology is enabling the 64-year-old to return to a productive, independent life. Thanks to a newly expanded partnership between March of Dimes Canada and TELUS’ Tech for Good Program, John’s been able to move from the hospital back home successfully.


Tech for Good offers individuals like John, who are living with disabilities, a personalized, virtual one-on-one assessment, customized recommendations, training, and support with mobile devices. The goal is to enable people with disabilities to live more independently.

“The technology currently coming out is making it possible for people with disabilities to live their lives,” he says.

With the support of an Assistive Technology Specialist, John has learned to use voice-controlled technology, like Siri or the Echo Dot (voice-controlled assistive devices), to access smart-home capabilities. “I can use my iPhone to turn on the lights, thermostat, computer, TV, and so on,” he says.

Access to technology has also dramatically improved his sense of community and safety. Prior to the support from Tech for Good, John had attempted moving home, but was unsuccessful — he couldn’t make calls to his support staff. But with a new Bluetooth earpiece, John — who is soft-spoken since undergoing a tracheotomy — is now able to communicate with voice-controlled personal assistants in his home, with friends, family, and support staff.

Access to technology has been transformative for John. Life before the smartphone and voice-assistants left him “more or less incommunicado”. Now, when he’s not chatting with friends, John’s working to further his artistic aspirations via computer, and feeling very happy to be home.

Read more
Young man in a wheelchair working on a laptop

Breaking down economic barriers

A barrier-free world includes financial security for everyone. Unfortunately, people with disabilities are one of Canada’s most economically disadvantaged groups — that's why we’re supporting employment and advocating for better disability supports and benefits. With the right tools, our clients can avoid or escape poverty and live well with a disability.
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15,700
Employment Services (ES) clients served
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1,600
job placements or positive outcomes achieved
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5,000
specialized assessments and job coaching services completed

Paving the path to financial security

Our ES team worked with more than 14,000 clients to achieve more than 1,600 job placements or positive outcomes across Canada. This includes our work on behalf of government departments and agencies delivering a wide range of federal, provincial, and municipal employment programs. Whether that meant helping a client explore their goals and ambitions, assessing their needs and skills, finding employment, or succeeding on the job, we were with them as they moved towards financial security through employment. 


Assessing client needs

We learned about and responded to our clients’ unique needs by completing 5,000 specialized assessments and job coaching services in English and French across eight provinces. Up to 40% of these were done virtually in response to public health guidance and to accommodate clients who couldn’t access in-person services because of the pandemic. 


Preparing clients for success

Canadian Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Services (CVVRS) supported over 1,700 veterans and family members as they adjusted to civilian life. Our team worked with clients and local experts to remove barriers in the home, community, and workplace.

120 clients participated in our Skills for Work (SFW) program which supports youth ages 15 to 30 to obtain paid employment through employment skills training and partially subsidized quality employment opportunities. Following the successful completion of these interventions, 60% of youth in this program found employment or returned to school.

Two Paving the Path to Work sessions, sponsored by Scotiabank, provided small groups of participants with work-related skills and knowledge. These are people who may not have considered employment, and were introduced to the possibility through guest speakers, virtual workplace tours, and mentorships. The result was improved financial literacy, and a clear understanding of how to maintain benefits while employed.

Thanks to a generous donation of $150,000 over three years from TD, we launched the innovative Avail® app, which allows users to access support that helps them succeed at work. The app provides an exciting new tool to help with job tasks, practice for interviews, search for jobs, and schedule daily tasks.


Advocating for financial security

MODC advocated strongly for the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) by organizing a multi-pronged campaign during the federal election. We called on all candidates and parties to pledge support for the framework that was passed by the previous Parliament and enabled clients and other stakeholders to contact their local candidates. When passed, CDB legislation will bring people with disabilities closer to financial independence by increasing support rates to meet the rising cost of living. We are committed to continuing to work with the government and other stakeholders to ensure the benefit’s design fulfils its promise to truly lift the community out of poverty.
Smiling Graham

The right career fit: Graham’s story

Graham Conti was in his first year of university when he decided to take a proactive approach to finding a career suiting his education, skills, and personality. But, as a person living with anxiety, Graham knew he needed help. When he discovered MODC's ES, it felt like the right fit for his needs.

“When I came in and met the team, everyone was really friendly,” Graham recalls. “I thought it was a good environment. On top of that, they specialize in employment for people with barriers and disabilities, so I knew they would understand my situation and what I need,” he adds.

Smiling Graham leaning against boulder

“Having financial security gives me a lot of peace of mind and comfort.”
—Graham Conti, MODC ES client

Living with anxiety meant Graham was eligible for the wide range of services MODC offers clients to explore career paths, seek meaningful employment, or transition into a new role. The MODC team assessed his skills, helped him develop his resume, introduced him to employers, and coached him for interviews — all while Graham was earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree.


In 2018, Graham graduated. Thanks to support from MODC Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist Kerri-Ann Rochon, in 2019 he landed the role of data-entry clerk. Since then, he’s since been promoted to account manager role with MySDS, a company that provides an online management system for safety data sheets. Graham helps keep employees and buildings safe by listing the ingredients, environmental health hazards, protective measures, and safety precautions associated with a wide variety of products and chemicals.

With his knowledge of chemistry, his attention to detail, and his exceptional memory, Graham’s a great fit for the role. One of his superpowers is ensuring the safety data sheets are accurate and up to date by comparing the names of chemical compounds that would look identical to most people. “I’m the go-to person when others have questions about chemicals,” he says proudly.

The two most rewarding aspects of Graham’s job are ensuring success for new clients and collaborating with his colleagues. But the icing on the cake? “Having financial security. It gives me a lot of peace of mind and comfort,” Graham says.

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Financial Performance


MODC continued to demonstrate exceptional performance across all major program and service areas — growing the organization’s mission impact even under the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was matched by strong financial performance that will enable the organization to reinvest in the health of its reserves, while mitigating future financial risks.

As we began to reintroduce in-person programs — while maintaining virtual options to better serve our community — we increased our reach and grew overall revenues by more than $13M. This allowed us to increase our service delivery investments by $12M — a 9% increase over last year. Government-funded pandemic wage increases account for half of that amount, while the rest came from new contracts, annual contract increases, and more referrals to our fee-for-service offerings.

Overall, March of Dimes Canada reports a consolidated surplus of $1.3M at year end, with $2M surplus from operations and $0.7M of deficit in the reserves mainly due to unrealized investment losses. 
  
In keeping with our commitment to stewarding funds responsibly and efficiently, 91% of our total operating expenses went toward program and service delivery, 7% to administration and 2% to fundraising activities. We are proud to be a member of Imagine Canada’s Standards Program, which accredits non-profits that demonstrate excellence in financial accountability and transparency. 
  
Our financial reserves remain healthy at $21 million, supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of our work.


2021-2022

Operating Revenues

Pie chart of operating revenues

teal dotGovernment grants
light green dotFees
orange dotProgram recovery
yellow dotPhilanthropy and non government grants
dark grey dotInvestment and other

2021-2022
Operating Expenses

Pie chart of operating expenses

teal dotProgram expenses 
light green dotAdministration
orange dotPhilanthropy




Please see our full audited financial statement for additional details at www.marchofdimes.ca/financials.


Recognition




Gala attendees laughing together

Funding a Barrier-free Future

Building a barrier-free future is hard work. It requires a team of generous and dedicated people to donate time, talent, and resources so we can deliver the programs that our clients need to live and thrive in their communities. Thank you to all the wonderful individuals and organizations who are helping us build a barrier-free future. We couldn’t do it without you. 

We want to offer our special thanks to the following donors and supporters, who made major contributions to our work this year. Their generosity will directly support and benefit our clients in significant ways.

Boundless Generosity

We were honoured to receive a $1.67M grant from a generous anonymous donor. Over three years, this money will fund the development of a best-in-class peer support toolkit that we’ll use in After Stroke and eventually our other peer support programs.

Nicholas Palahnuk

Financial executive Nicholas Palahnuk donated $25,000. Nicholas is committed to giving back to his community by helping to build a barrier-free society and was inspired to support our work when he saw one of our non-profit housing locations.

David Coriat

Slaight Communications senior executive, David Coriat, has a personal interest in our work because his daughter lives with cerebral palsy. Between 2013 and 2015, he donated a total of $150,000 to our L.I.F.E. program, and another $50,000 in 2021. We’re also grateful for his commitment of $250,000 over two years to establish the Coriat Mobility Fund for our Assistive Devices Program.

TELUS

TELUS was our largest corporate donor in 2021-2022, donating $175,000 to Tech for Good as part of their three-year commitment, along with an additional $50,000 for the program. This will fund support for more people with disabilities to use mobile devices independently, providing customized recommendations, training, support, and, in some cases, assistive technology. 

Our philanthropy and fundraising events directly support programs that enable a barrier-free future for our clients across Canada. We offer our collective gratitude to everyone who makes these vital events happen! 

Walk’n’Roll 

For the first time ever, our annual Walk’n’Roll event was a virtual peer-to-peer fundraiser that drew participants from coast to coast. Our goal was to raise $50,000 between the beginning of June to the end of August, but participants exceeded that, raising an impressive total of $78,000! All the money went toward supporting stroke survivors and caregivers through After Stroke. 

OpportuniTea with Kate Linder & Friends

Our annual high tea event, hosted by Kate Linder of The Young and The Restless, raised more than $25,000 to support people with neurological motor disorders through our Conductive Education program.  

Since in-person activities were limited by the pandemic, we created the unique virtual experience of a live broadcast with Kate Linder and her celebrity castmates. This attracted fans from across Canada and beyond to our OpportuniTea Online in February. An in-person event is planned for December 2022 (COVID-19 permitting). 

Catch the Ace 

When COVID-19 prevented us from hosting in-person fundraisers, we got creative with Catch the Ace. This online 50-50 lottery ran for 51 weeks and raised a total of $20,000 with $10,000 of that going to After Stroke. People from across Canada got in on the fun, winning a bit of money and supporting a great cause at the same time.

Donor Recognition

$100,000 - $1,000,000+

$1,000,000+ 

  • TD Bank Financial Group

$100,000 to $499,999

Corporate:

  • Allergan 
  • Canada Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) 
  • Dentons Canada LLP 
  • Royal Bank of Canada 
  • Scotiabank 
  • TELUS


Foundations:
  • Bourassa Savaria Foundation

Individuals:

  • David Coriat
  • Agnes Faraci
  • Elizabeth Greville
  • Pierrette Levesque
  • Paul Martin Jr.
  • Neil Rosta
  • Joseph Toby


$50,000 - $99,999

Corporate:

  • AMG Medical Inc. 
  • Barrick Gold Corporation 
  • Canada Life 
  • CGI 
  • Country Gardens RV Park 
  • Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Canada 
  • McInnes Cooper 
  • Region of Peel 
  • Resolute FP Canada 
  • Stewart McKelvey


Foundations:
  • Dunkley Charitable Foundation 
  • Hope Charitable Foundation 
  • J.P. Bickell Foundation 
  • Niagara Community Foundation 
  • Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation

Individuals:

  • Charles Gallant 
  • Mark Golding 
  • Curtis M. Odette 
  • Kathryn Kennedy 
  • Anthony Lisanti 
  • Steve Laciak

$25,000 - $49,999

Corporate:

  • BMO Bank of Montreal 
  • Fidelity Investments Canada 
  • Labatt Brewing Company Ltd. 
  • Sofina Foods 
  • TD Insurance 
  • Team RV Express


Foundations:
  • Brunatti-Dyment Fund at the Niagara Community Foundation 
  • Calgary Shaw Charity Classic Foundation (Birdies for Kids) 
  • Doug Harvey-Smith Fund — Community Foundation of Ottawa 
  • F.K. Morrow Foundation 
  • Garron Foundation 
  • John & Judy Bragg Family Foundation 
  • MacFeeters Family Fund at Toronto Foundation

Individuals:

  • Neil Anthes 
  • William Barnett 
  • Michael Chao 
  • John Clarke 
  • Susan Flam 
  • Jane Jackson 
  • Sandra J. Nymark 
  • Nicholas Palahnuk 
  • Keith Rodgers 
  • Glenn Solomon 
  • Erika Wagner


$10,000 - $24,999

Corporate:

  • ATB Financial 
  • Canada Post Corporation 
  • CI Institutional Asset Management 
  • Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. 
  • Echelon Wealth Partners 
  • Emera Inc. 
  • HomeStars 
  • iA Financial Group 
  • IMP Group International Inc. 
  • Ingredion Canada 
  • J.S Cheng & Partners Inc. 
  • JDS Fundraising Services Inc. 
  • Motion LP 
  • Stifel Nicolaus Canada 
  • TE Connectivity 
  • Urban Poling 
  • Wellington Laboratories Inc.


Foundations:
  • Alice & Murray Maitland Foundation 
  • Blidner Family Foundation 
  • Crist Family Foundation 
  • D & F Zurbrigg Family Foundation 
  • Daley Family Charitable Fund 
  • Edmonton Civic Employees Charitable Assistance Fund 
  • J. E. Panneton Family Foundation 
  • James & Alfreda Parlee Fund at Toronto Foundation 
  • McLean Smits Family Foundation 
  • Normand and Laura Lamarche Family Foundation 
  • PDM Charitable Foundation 
  • Walker Wood Foundation

Individuals:

  • Alan Barkin 
  • Robert Eng 
  • David J. Farmer 
  • David M. Fisher 
  • Lorraine Halabisky 
  • Salma Jaffer 
  • Bonnie Lindros 
  • Brett Lindros 
  • Helen Moore 
  • Hien Thanh Tran 
  • Dianne Tyers


$5,000 - $9,999

Corporate:

  • Copperfin Credit Union 
  • Hammond Power Solutions Inc. 
  • MCAP 
  • London Police Association 
  • Silver Suite 
  • Stantec Consulting Ltd.


Foundations:
  • Allard Foundation 
  • Andy and Beth Burgess Family Foundation 
  • Betty Quintus Memorial Trust 
  • Brumara Foundation 
  • Community Foundation of Orillia & Area 
  • Dr. Samuel S. Robinson Charitable Foundation 
  • Elcan Ridge Foundation 
  • Flavelle Family Foundation 
  • Joan Arbogast Memorial Fund 
  • McLaughlin-Flinn Fund 
  • Rita & Ruby Mion Family Foundation 
  • Robert J McLaughlin Foundation

Individuals:

  • Geoff Allanson 
  • Larry Bannerman 
  • Luis Barreto 
  • Robert Bertrand 
  • Michael Cole 
  • Dan Gideon 
  • Frank Goodman 
  • Allison Killam 
  • Edith Lorimer 
  • John Lynch 
  • Paul Randall 
  • Barbara Ritchie 
  • David Service 
  • Jack Verduyn 
  • Mary Watson 
  • Dennis Werkman 
  • Dennis Wiginton 
  • Diane Wildeman 
  • Man Wong


$1,000 - $4,999

Corporate:

  • Accerta 
  • Access Credit Union 
  • Alton Holdings 
  • Amica Senior Lifestyles 
  • Assante Capital Management 
  • Barrie Welding & Machine Ltd. 
  • Genier Bros Trucking Ltd. 
  • Highlight Beta 
  • John G. Hofland Ltd. 
  • John Harvey Investments Ltd. 
  • Lawtons (Sobeys National Pharmacy Group) 
  • Manor Tool & Die Ltd. 
  • Nestle Purina PetCare Canada 
  • New Gold 
  • Nursing & Homemakers Inc. 
  • Olympia Tile + Stone 
  • Proof Strategies 
  • Revera Inc. 
  • Steele Auto Group 
  • Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company


Foundations:
  • Alan & Joan French Foundation 
  • Fograscher Family Fund 
  • Jackman Foundation 
  • Naomi Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto 
  • PayPal Giving Fund Canada 
  • Roger and Edith Davis Foundation 
  • Susannah Briggs Family Fund 
  • The Fund for Conductive Education

Individuals:

  • Helen Aboud 
  • Peter Allemang 
  • Anne Archer 
  • Antoine Babin 
  • Donald Bayne 
  • Lee Bennett 
  • Brian Bertrand 
  • Beth Boone 
  • Brenda Bosomworth 
  • Helen Buck 
  • Alex Campbell 
  • Tim Carey 
  • Barbara Carter 
  • David Cartlidge 
  • Carrie Chung 
  • Martha Clendenning 
  • John Dale 
  • Justin Emmanuel
  • Anne Finlayson 
  • Elizabeth Flavelle 
  • Andrew Forward 
  • Erika Goyman 
  • Saravjit Grover 
  • David Haavisio 
  • Jawwad Haider 
  • Mary E. Hardick 
  • Joanne Hicks 
  • Wiliam Jardine 
  • Elizabeth Johnston 
  • Robina Kaposy 
  • Margaret Kerr 
  • Marcel Labelle 
  • Rive Le Lacheur 
  • Karel Ley 
  • Tom Lynch 
  • Linda Martin 
  • Jacqueline Martin 
  • Blair McCreadie 
  • Katherine McLeod 
  • Karen Olech 
  • Kris Osborn 
  • Joan Page 
  • Ken Papazian 
  • Joseph Quattrocchi 
  • Leo Ramsperger 
  • Pauline Reaume 
  • Myla Schwab 
  • Dennis Shears 
  • Ruth Shillington 
  • Geraldine Smith 
  • Bruce Smith 
  • Catherine Stovel 
  • Thecla Sweeney 
  • Victor Tanner 
  • Barbara Thomas-Woehl 
  • Vernon Turner 
  • Blythe Ward 
  • Sharon Whalen 
  • Linda Whalen 
  • David Wilson 
  • Thomas Witty


Estates

  • Estate of Phyllis Marjorie Price 
  • Estate of Lola Jean Thompson 
  • Estate of Mr. Robert Payne 
  • Estate of Vernon Hingtgen 
  • Estate of Alice Ada Carter 
  • Estate of Gladys Mary Anderson 
  • Estate of Mary C. Merritt

  • Estate of Marion Potter 
  • Estate of Joan Roberts 
  • Estate of Lillian Secord 
  • Estate of A. Hiltz 
  • Estate of Catherine Cleaver 
  • Estate of Helen Maude Campbell 
  • Estate of Marion Potter


United Way Partners

  • United Way Greater Toronto 
  • United Way of Northern British Columbia 
  • United Way of Thunder Bay 
  • United Way Sarnia-Lambton
  • United Way Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District

  • United Way Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry 
  • United Way Waterloo Region Communities​
  • United Way Niagara


Agencies and Service Clubs

  • Barton Lodge No. 6
  • Charlton-Englehart Lions Club
  • Cochrane Lions Club
  • Fort Langley Lions Club
  • India Association of Manitoba
  • Knights of Columbus Council #8715
  • Knights of Columbus Father De Lestre Council #62
  • Knights of Columbus Mid-Island Council #3842
  • May Court Club of Kitchener-Waterloo
  • Organization of Alberta Students in Speech
  • Rotary Club of Hearst
  • Rotary Club of Oakville

  • Royal Canadian Legion — Branch 67
  • Royal Canadian Legion — Branch 201
  • Royal Canadian Legion — Branch 220
  • Royal Canadian Legion — Branch 226
  • Royal Canadian Legion — Branch 363
  • Royal Canadian Legion — Branch 409
  • Royal Canadian Legion — Branch 420
  • Royal Canadian Legion — Branch 426
  • Stroke Recovery Association of Calgary


Non-Profit Housing

  • Arlanxeo Foundation
  • AWB Charitable Foundation
  • Bot Construction Ltd.
  • Ann Burnside
  • Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd.
  • Catherine & Maxwell Meighen Foundation
  • Catherine Wilson Foundation
  • Ian & June Cockwell
  • D.H. Gordon Foundation
  • Daniels Corporation
  • Doug Lamon Foundation
  • H.G. Bertram Foundation

  • Home Trust Company
  • Judith & Norman Alix Foundation
  • Lucien Lariviere
  • LiUNA Local 1089
  • Lodge Of The Ancient Landmarks No. 654
  • Oakville Community Foundation
  • Ontario Realtors CARE Foundation
  • REALTORS Association of Hamilton-Burlington
  • Rotary Club of Oakville
  • Shell Canada
  • Sudbury Real Estate Board
  • Toronto Regional Real Estate Board


Special Events Sponsors

  • Abbotsford Stoke Recovery
  • ACD Peterborough
  • Albany Pump Company
  • Blakely Investment Management
  • Blue North
  • Burlington Chapter – Stroke Recovery Canada
  • Commerce Press Inc.
  • Essential Services Real Estate Team
  • Google
  • Halton Stroke Fellowship
  • Home Stairlift Rentals Ltd.
  • Inter-Action Rehabilitation Inc.
  • JDub Construction Inc.
  • Kieswetter Mazda
  • MK Healing & Wellness Inc.
  • Muskoka Minerals & Mining Inc.
  • New Horizon Development Group
  • Newmarket ACDP Wednesday PM
  • Newmarket Veteran's Association
  • Peel Stroke Group

  • Process Fusion Inc.
  • Q Gardens Family
  • Rail Connect Transportation and Distribution Services Inc.
  • Remax Crest Realty
  • Rio Canada Inc.
  • RoadHouse & Rose Funeral Home
  • S.O.S. Niagara Search Warrant Online Marketing
  • Springdale Guardian Pharmacy
  • Springdale Pharmacy
  • Stone's Throw Disc Golf
  • Stroke Recovery Burlington
  • Superior Insulation Services Inc.
  • Team Shaughnessy
  • The Illumina Foundation
  • Toronto Central Chapter – After Stroke Canada
  • Westco Holdings Ltd.


Awards



Every year, we honour the people who are leading the way to a barrier-free future. Our President’s Awards celebrate individuals and teams at March of Dimes Canada who’ve done exceptional work, and brought us closer to an inclusive, accessible society. 

​​This year’s Individual Award went to:

Kimberly Herrlitz, Employment Services Team Lead

Dawn Chesney, Community Support Supervisor

Nikhil Desai, Senior Accountant


​​The Team Award went to:

Canadian Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Services team


Congratulations to our President’s Award winners, and thank you for your commitment to our mission, vision, and purpose! 

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors has guided and supported our work at every step. We thank each of you for your commitment to a barrier-free Canada.  

Jay Hira, Chair
Michael Cole, Vice Chair and Secretary
Alan Lipszyc, Treasurer
Catherine Sherrard, Past Chair

Directors
Tony Barros
Lauri Brunner
Allister Byrne
Michael Foulds
Elizabeth Greville


Wendy Kauffman
Blair Roblin
Jeff Sparks
Graham Todd
Cameron Whale




​Thank You

Thank you to everyone — staff, volunteers, supporters, and partners — who've contributed to a successful year. 

Make a difference and help us build a barrier-free future — donate today at marchofdimes.ca/donate

  

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