The Municipality of North Cowichan has awarded the Freedom of the Municipality, its highest honour, to a longtime community leader for his many years of public service.
Graham P. Bruce began his public service as an alderman at just 24 years old before becoming North Cowichan’s mayor in 1979 at the age of 27, making him the youngest mayor in Canada at the time.
He helped shape North Cowichan’s first Official Community Plan, led efforts to preserve the Cowichan Estuary, and played a key role in creating ecological reserves at Mount Tzouhalem and Somenos Flats.
He later served as an MLA and cabinet minister, holding portfolios including municipal affairs and labour, and went on to lead several community and Indigenous organizations.
Mayor Rob Douglas says Bruce’s decades of leadership and advocacy make him a very worthy recipient of the honour.
The award presentation took place Wednesday, Oct. 15, Bruce is the fourteenth person to receive this distinction in the municipality’s history.
Find more information about the North Cowichan’s Freedom of the Municipality award here.
– Article includes link and image supplied by Municipality of North Cowichan
