Convention 2009 Update

Lt. General Romeo Dallaire presented with Knowles Award

September 30, 2009

At the 2009 Convention last April, OPSEU gave the Stanley Knowles Humanitarian Award to Romeo Dallaire. Unfortunately, just prior to Convention, General Dallaire had injured his back and he was unable to be at the Convention in person. The injury was quite severe, and General Dallaire has only recently been able to resume his full scope of activities.

National Secretary Treasurer Larry Brown accepted the award on General Dallaire’s behalf at the Convention, and committed to presenting the award to him in person as soon as Dallaire was well enough. That presentation was made a few days ago, at General Dallaire’s Senate office.

Larry gave General Dallaire a copy of the information presented to Convention delegates about the General’s extraordinary and courageous actions in Rwanda. He told General Dallaire that the award had been made to him to thank him not only for all he has done, but also for all that he continues to do, such as his ongoing work on the issue of child soldiers. Larry explained that the written response General Dallaire had provided was read at Convention, and the delegates listened with rapt attention to every word. 

At Convention, Larry told the delegates about the notation on the General’s website: “Go now to make a difference in this perilous and broken world.”  The delegates were very taken with that phrase, and Larry saw tears in the eyes of some of those on the convention floor. Larry told the General that he had committed to the Convention that he would bring the award to the General in person, that he would thank him directly on behalf of OPSEU and all the delegates. Larry also promised the General, again on behalf of the delegates and the union, that they would do their level best to live up to that phrase, and they would indeed strive to make a difference in this perilous and broken world. 

General Dallaire expressed his deep gratitude for the award, and said that the cheque that accompanies the Stanley Knowles Award would allow for the building of housing for people living in destitution. In these places a two bedroom house could be provided for relatively small amounts in Canadian dollars, so that the cheque would provide for several such houses.