Toronto, Ontario
Mr. Ian Douglas was a Second World War Veteran and Prisoner-of-War who retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1958. He was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 55 years and served as President of Fort York Branch 165. Over the years, Mr. Douglas was a strong supporter and advocate for Veterans. He served in the Canadian Corps of Commissioners for more than 50 years as Chairman of the Toronto Corps and subsequently as Chairman of the National Board of the Corps. He was a Past Chairman of the Board of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. He fought hard to have 37 Veterans' beds and eventually 44 beds reopened at Sunnybrook. Along with the late Ross LeMesurier, Mr. Douglas worked for Veterans Affairs Canada to be able to name two appointees to the Sunnybrook's Board and to create a Veterans' Committee with three appointees. He was also instrumental in having the terms of the Laura Ann Hart Trust changed, so that trust monies could be spent on the Veterans in Sunnybrook. Mr. Douglas was a Member of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Queen's 25th Anniversary Medal, Canada's 100th Birthday Medal, the Queens' 50 Year Jubilee Medal and Canada's 125th Anniversary Medal.