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Cambrian College prof receives GG honour

A Cambrian College professor is receiving a Caring Canadian Award from Governor General David Johnston next week.
johnston
A Cambrian College professor is receiving a Caring Canadian Award from Governor General David Johnston, pictured, next week. Kayla Levesque, co-ordinator of Cambrian's Business Administration Accounting Program, is being honoured for her work with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program in Sudbury. File photo.

A Cambrian College professor is receiving a Caring Canadian Award from Governor General David Johnston next week.

Kayla Levesque, co-ordinator of Cambrian's Business Administration Accounting Program, is being honoured for her work with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program in Sudbury.

“Levesque has been mobilizing people of varying ages and backgrounds in Sudbury for more than six years, successfully recruiting, training and organizing volunteers for (the program),” a release from the Governor General's office said.

The program also received a 2016 Civic Award from Greater Sudbury. A release from the city said the program has been running for the last 20 years in the city.

“Last year, this team of volunteers completed 4,287 income tax returns,” the release said. “This resulted in a savings of $343,000 for low-income individuals. Support income such as ODSP or Ontario Works can no longer be accessed without a latest tax return, and therefore this service allows people to secure financial support.”

The program runs in March and April each year and six volunteer tax preparers and one receptionist work an average of 600 hours per month. The group completes income tax returns for low-income individuals and families at no charge.

The clientele served is seniors, unemployed individuals, students, and others.

“Over the last nine years, an estimated 30,000 income tax returns have been filed, with an estimated value of $1.7 million dollars,” the release said. “Many of these volunteers have been involved in the program for more than 10 years.”

The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is a partnership with United Way and the Canadian Revenue Agency. The city provides free space at libraries, parking for volunteers and has refurbished and provided laptops to the program.

Johnston and his wife, Sharon, will visit Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and North Bay next week to hand out the awards.

“Sharon and I are delighted to be visiting northern and northwestern Ontario,” Johnston said in a news release. “The communities of Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and North Bay each have unique strengths and cultures, and each is a regional hub of challenge, change and opportunity.

“We’re looking forward to meeting with community members and to participating in a series of activities related to volunteerism, mental health and collaboration with First Nations.”

Johnston will be in Thunder Bay on Tuesday, Sioux Lookout on Wednesday and North Bay on Thursday. His detailed itinerary, as well as a full list of award recipients, can be found at
www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=16365&lan=eng


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