Cornwall Ontario — On Wednesday November 26th The Cornwall & District Labour Council hosted its annual dinner and awards event at the Navy Vet’s Club. The 2014 award theme was “Reclaiming Politics.”

Carilyne Hebert, a recently elected City Councillor, was awarded the 2014 Community Activist Award in recognition of volunteering in the community.

Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, delivered the keynote address.

According to a statement by Elaine MacDonald, Natalie Mehra is the ultimate spokesperson and ambassador for public medicare in Ontario. Natalie is the woman who holds together and supports the efforts of over 400 non-partisan, grassroots community organizations who work to preserve and enhance our publicly-funded, publicly-administered health care system.

Union members were celebrated Wednesday night for activism in the workplace, on health & safety, leadership, disability rights and return to work, and political action.