Freedom of City
Suzuki, 79, was given the Freedom of the City Award. an honour that sees his name inscribed in Vancouver’s Freedom Book and bestows upon him, among other things, a scroll and a freedom medal.
Perhaps the most valuable item he receives is a decal which allows him to park anywhere in the city without having to plug the parking meter. He may not use it so often, however, as Suzuki, who still lives in Vancouver, is often seen riding a bike rather driving a car.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson made a statement on the award: “Dr. David Suzuki has dedicated his life and career to educating and inspiring us all to take care of our planet and all who live here,” he said.
“He’s touched the lives of countless communities and people across Canada, and his voice continues to ring loud and true on the urgent global challenges of climate change and species extinction.
“In recognition of his exceptional leadership to benefit Vancouver, Canada, and the world,” Gregor added. “It is an honour to present Dr. Suzuki with the Freedom of the City.”
Suzuki: Science broadcaster
Suzuki was a professor of genetics at UBC and his broadcasting successes include creating the CBC radio show Quirks and Quarks, hosting the critically acclaimed The Secret of Life and in 1985 creating and hosting the much-watched mini-series A Planet for the Taking. Since 1979 he has hosted the CBC’s popular show The Nature of Things.
He established the David Suzuki Foundation in 1990 “to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that does sustain us.” The Suzuki Foundation works on projects such as restoring the Monarch Butterfly; the Monarch has been reduced in North America from a high of some one billion to as low as 35 million due to pesticides destroying milkweed, its food-source.
Already the recipient of 100 other awards, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1976 and elevated to Companion status in 2006. Past winners of Vancouver’s Freedom of the City Award include a former city councillor, Jim Green, former mayor Art Phillips, wheelchair athlete Rick Hansen, housing advocate Judy Graves and band-leader Dal Richards.
