Patrick J. Daly Receives 2010 Higgins Award

On June 5 at the CCSTA AGM and Convention in Ottawa, the 2010 Justice James Higgins Award for outstanding leadership in Catholic education in Canada was presented to Patrick J. Daly of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board in Hamilton, Ontario.

Catholic education in Canada and Ontario has been well served by Patrick during his service over the past three decades. He has held various positions in Catholic education and is respected and admired for his faith, spirit, integrity and leadership. Patrick is a former Director and President of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association where he successfully provided leadership to obtain equity in education funding for all students in Ontario.

Legislation achieving this milestone was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada. Patrick was also a member of the Board of Directors ofCanadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association. He has served twenty-five years as a trustee with the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board and is currently completing his 20th year as the Board’s Chair.

Patrick is known as a champion of Catholic Education. In Ontario he is respected for his energy, understanding of issues, clarity of vision, political savvy, personal discipline, courage and unwavering defense of others. Patrick works tirelessly to keep Christ at the centre of Catholic schools and nurtures a wonderful relationship between schools and parish clergy. Patrick extends his Christian love for others both locally and in developing countries by ensuring the Catholic education community in his jurisdiction is involved in social justice programs for those most in need. Patrick is an exemplary role model for others and has been described, in the words of St. Peter, as “a good steward of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).

In addition to his leadership in Catholic education, Patrick is a strong family man. He and his wife, Carole, are actively involved in the lives of their four children, Michael, Kyle, Colleen and Monica.

CCSTA congratulates Patrick on being a most worthy recipient of the 2010 Justice James Higgins Award. This Award will be presented to Patrick on June 5 at the closing banquet of the Ottawa Convention.