Fay Bland, Montreal, Quebec
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
For more than 50 years, the efforts and achievements of Fay Bland have enabled scores of developmentally disabled children and young adults to lead challenging and autonomous lives in the community. A natural leader, Mrs. Bland founded the Lakeshore Association for Retarded Citizens and the Lakeshore Vocational Projects Association (LVPA), which have given hope to many families. Mrs. Bland spearheaded AVATIL (Apprentissage à la vie autonome/Towards Independent Living) and inspired the establishment of Comitas, a program for the disabled population aged over 40. She has also served as an executive on many boards to further develop community services for those with intellectual disabilities.