Member of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 1994-04-13
Invested on: 1994-10-19
Well-loved as "Mr. Toronto", he has been a member of the Ontario Legislature, an alderman, mayor of the city, a controller, and Chairman of the Toronto Transit Commission. During thirty-six years of public service, he was a staunch supporter of subsidized housing and the Metropolitan form of government, but he is best-known for the key roles he played in the construction of Canada's first subway system and in bringing Sunday sports and entertainment events to Toronto.