Ottawa, Ontario - 23 March 2015
Janice Filmon is an exemplary volunteer and motivational speaker who is extensively involved in her community and known for her prolific charitable work. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from the University of Manitoba and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Manitoba and an Honorary Doctor of Canon Law at St. John’s College, University of Manitoba.
After completing her university studies, Ms. Filmon worked as a social worker with the Children’s Aid Society of Winnipeg and was a caseworker in family protection.
She has extensive experience with community organizations and committees at the local, national and international levels. She is currently the Chair of the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, a board member of the Winnipeg Airport Authority and a founder and honorary chair of Manitoba A.L.I.V.E. (A Leadership Initiative in Voluntary Efforts), which teaches selected high school students the skills needed in the voluntary sector.
Ms. Filmon has previously served as the founding Chair of the Nellie McClung Foundation and is also the Past President of the University of Manitoba Alumni Association. She has also been on the board of the Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice at the University of Manitoba and was Chair of Festivals for the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg.
She has been honoured on many occasions for her public service. In 2013, she was named a member of the Order of Canada and was named an officer of the Order of Manitoba in 2007. She is the recipient of the Guardian Angel Award by the Manitoba Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation and received the Peter D. Curry Chancellor’s Award at the University of Manitoba for contributions to the university’s governance and development. The Janice C. Filmon Award for Leadership in cancer care in Manitoba was created in her honour and the Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice also named a student award after her.
Ms. Filmon resides in Winnipeg with her husband Gary Filmon, the former Premier of Manitoba. She is the mother of four children and grandmother to nine grandchildren.
