- Awarded on: December 4, 2003
Richard W. F. Tasker, Ottawa, Ontario
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
For 25 years, Richard Tasker has gone far beyond his role as janitor of a condominium. He drives residents to hospital, drops off meals and accompanies those who need help on errands. He has befriended a number of elderly and isolated residents and supports them in time of grief. Over the past 10 years, he has forged a bond with a young autistic girl, and has volunteered his time to help her and to provide moral support to her mother. In addition, he has organized Christmas food drives for 15 years and has given daily care to friends dying of AIDS. His kindness, compassion and generous nature help ease the lives of those around him.