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City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

October 24, 2024

Martha Friendly honoured with a Key to the City

Today, Mayor Olivia Chow presented a Key to the City to Martha Friendly, a leading advocate, policy researcher and expert in Canada's childcare movement.

Martha Friendly has been advocating for universal, high-quality early childhood education and care in Canada for more than 50 years. She founded the Childcare Resource and Research Unit (CRRU) in the 1980s and has played a critical role in shaping policies that support children, families and women. Her advocacy and tireless efforts have helped build the framework for a universal early learning and childcare system.

Martha Friendly’s lifelong contributions to childcare policy have been recognized with several accolades including the Order of Canada in 2024 and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Trent University in 2015.

The recognition coincides with Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day which Mayor Chow proclaimed to honour the vital contributions made by early childhood educators. Child care workers and educators are key to fostering healthy child development, supporting families and laying the foundation for lifelong success.

The Mayor awards the Key to the City to inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds who embody the spirit and potential of Toronto and who have contributed significantly to civic life. The Key to the City is the City of Toronto’s highest honour granted by the Mayor to an individual or a group.

More information, including a list of past recipients, is available on the City’s Key to the City webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/awards/key-to-the-city/.

Mayor Chow invites residents to share their suggestions for individuals they believe should receive the Key to the City. To nominate someone who has made a meaningful impact on Toronto, visit: www.mayoroliviachow.ca/keytothecity.

Quotes:

“Today, we celebrate both Martha Friendly’s incredible legacy and the unsung heroes who provide early learning and care services to our city’s precious youngest residents. Martha’s dedication to families and children helped shaped a universally available, affordable and high-quality early childhood education program for children in Toronto. Because of her work, and the work of an entire community of childcare workers, generations of kids in our city can get a strong start in life.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow

“I'm thrilled to receive the Key to the City. It's a tremendous honour that reflects the collective efforts of many who have worked hard to make high quality childcare for all a reality across Canada. I'm proud to be part of a social movement that not only supports children, families and educators but strongly values equity and social justice.”
– Martha Friendly, Recipient, Key to the City

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca

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