The Dr. John Rook Leadership Award for Poverty Reduction

The Dr. John Rook Leadership Award for Poverty Reduction is presented annually to an outstanding Canadian who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in working to end poverty and embodies the principles of the Canadian Poverty Institute. The award is named in honour of Dr. John Rook, founder of the Canadian Poverty Institute.

2025 Call for nominations

The Canadian Poverty Institute is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Award. To submit a nomination, please refer to the Nomination Guidelines.

Nominations can be submitted by:

·      Email to: povertyinstitute@ambrose.edu

·      Online at: https://form.simplesurvey.com/f/s/JRLA2025

·       Mail to: Canadian Poverty Institute, Ambrose University, 150 Ambrose Circle SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3H 0L5

Please submit nominations by July 18th 2025.

2024 Award Recipient

The recipient of the 2024 inaugural Dr. John Rook Leadership Award is Sheila Regehr. Ms. Regehr serves as the Chair of Basic Income Canada and is the former Executive Director of the National Council on Welfare. Read more about her accomplishments and lifetime of service here.