2017 James McGregor Stewart Award

We are pleased to announce that Gerry Post is the winner of the 2016 James McGregor Stewart Award.

In a ceremony on June 30th, Stewart's 128th birthday, Post will be presented with a $1000 cheque by Speaker Kevin Murphy.

The Award recognizes leadership, effective advocacy and outstanding personal achievement of a person with a disability. “The award honours the resolve shown by Stewart”, says Warren Reed, a co-founder of the Society. “In Gerry Post our selection committee found a person that, like Stewart, leads and excels regardless of barriers.  Gerry is a force of nature”.

Post was nominated for his exceptional achievement in spearheading the improvements to the Bill 59 accessibility law just passed in Nova Scotia, facilitating a multi-pronged approach to make it happen, setting a new standard for government consultation and group action.

Gerry's strategic approach was learned in his award-winning and globe-spanning planning career. You can read much more about Post in last year's profile.

Even among a group of exceptional nominees, Post is a standout. He has been unstoppable and we all owe him a debt of gratitude for the work he did on the Bill 59 and the changes it will make to many people's lives.

Happily, Post has decided to come out of retirement and has accepted a position as Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Accessibility Directorate. He looks forward to the challenge, working to implement the new Accessibility Act.

The Award recognizes the spirit of Mr. James McGregor Stewart who overcame many barriers, despite a disability resulting from polio. First in his class at Dalhousie Law School in 1914, he was also President of the Students' Council. He was shortlisted for the Rhodes Scholarship but was not successful, due to concerns expressed about his physical condition. Nevertheless, Stewart went on to head a Halifax law firm that became the present day Stewart McKelvey. He was Chairman of Dalhousie's Board of Governors. In 2000, Canadian Lawyer magazine named him as one of Canada’s ten greatest lawyers.

The Award was established by friends of the Society through the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia, an organization that supports philanthropy across the province.