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February 10, 2012
Carpenters’ union official Ucal Powell named to Order of Ontario
Ucal Powell had no idea he had even been under consideration when he was appointed to the Order of Ontario.
“When I heard that I got the award, I had no idea that may name was put forward for the award,” said the Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario.
“I was deeply honoured my body of work and more particularly the charitable things that this organization does was being recognized.”
He later found out he had been nominated by his MPP Greg Sorbara for Vaughan.
Ucal Powell, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario, wears the Order of Ontario. He is one of 27 Ontarians to recently receive this honour.
“Under his leadership, the Carpenters’ Union has built a world-class apprenticeship program and has earned a reputation as a giving and compassionate organization,” reads a release from the Province of Ontario.
“It’s great for Ontario to have such an award to recognize its citizens and what they’ve accomplished and that is something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life,” said Powell.
Powell was one of 27 Ontarians appointed to the Order of Ontario. David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, invested the appointees at a Queen’s Park ceremony on Jan. 26.
KELLY LAPOINTE
Powell received the Order of Ontario thanks to many charitable initiatives such as rebuilding homes in Haiti.
The appointees were chosen for their contributions to the arts, law, science, medicine, history, politics, philanthropy and the environment. Among them, were three-time Toronto Mayor, David Crombie, former Ontario opposition leader John Tory, and popular bilingual children’s educator Suzanne “Marie-Soleil” Pinel.
“The Order of Ontario is the highest provincial honour bestowed on an individual. With it, we recognize the greatest minds, forward-thinkers, humanitarians, activists and pioneers in our province. These people change lives here and the world over,” said Onley in a statement.
“It was quite an experience. It was a cross-section of people who have done great things. I would say, quite frankly, to be within that company made me really, really proud,” reflected Powell.
Powell said he initially didn’t want to be a carpenter.
“But I guess it was in my blood. My grandfather was a carpenter, my father was a carpenter — I became a carpenter.”
He did his apprenticeship in Jamaica and came to Canada in 1969 at the age of 23. He joined the union in late 1970.
“I become active, always advocated for the members on the job to ensure that our rights were protected.”
He was elected to the union first through executive positions and quickly rose through the ranks to his current position. Of his 43 years spent in Canada, Powell spent 20 years working in the trade, participating in some of the major construction sites in Toronto, and worked in the union for 23 years.
Powell and the union have been very involved with volunteering. They were involved with helping rebuild Simmesport, La., two and a half hours north of New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the region.
In November 2011, four Ontario carpenters volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the Jimmy Carter Foundation in Leogane, Haiti helping rebuild a community after the January 2010 earthquake.
“I think it’s important to get involved in whatever way we can to help others. I believe that’s a responsibility of unions, more so than any other organization to give back the community,” he said.
“Unions shouldn’t just sit back and wait for people to come,” he added.
“We should go there and make an effort to help young people to encourage them and bring them in. As an organization, I think we’re on the forefront of doing things like that.”
Powell’s community involvement has included Mens Sana, the Good Shepherd Ministries, the Vitanova Foundation, the Hospital for Sick Children, and the Children’s Aid Foundation.
He was also one of the founding members of the Bursary Program of 31 Division’s Community Police Liaison Committee designed to assist youth interested in obtaining marketable skills through education and apprenticeship.
Powell has also been awarded a medal commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s 50th year on the throne.
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