Last Friday (Sept. 13), two residents of the Comox Valley received the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Bruce Curtis and Ron Webber were both honoured and presented the medal by the Courtenay-Comox MLA, Ronna-Rae Leonard. 

Curtis was a founder of the Comox Valley Community Justice Centre, who brought influential lawmakers to the community to elevate the understanding and application of restorative justice. He brought the Iona Campagnolo Lecture Series, a program he headed for 13 years.

Curtis also worked to have the Comox United Church become a 2SLGTBQ+ become an affirming community. He continues to support the ongoing work such as supporting Dawn to Dawn鈥檚 project to build 2SLGBTQ+ youth housing. He has sat on several boards and committees and acted as a resource for organizations such as the Sid Williams Theatre, and the Comox Valley Art Gallery.

Webber has served the Comox Valley as a councillor, Mayor of Courtenay for 12 years and served a total of 30 years in municipal government. His legacies include the Florence Filberg Centre, the airpark walkway, and the Memorial Wall, adjacent to the Cliffe Ave cenotaph. After retiring from Courtenay municipal politics, Webber was presented with the highest award for their citizens, Freedom of the City. 

Webber has served as an honourary chairman of the Remembrance Day ceremonies and spent seven years as Honourary Colonel for 407 Maritime Patrol. He has spent years as a member of the board for Glacier View Lodge. He has been a member of Citizens on Partorl, Courtenary Kiwanis, Courtenay Legion Pipe Band, Comox Valley Hospice Society. He chaired the fundraising and construction of the Florence Filberg centre. Webber currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Evergreen Seniors located in Filberg Centre. He also received the Queen's Jubilee medal from MP John Duncan.

The Coronation Medal, a Canadian honour created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, was launched by Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, and recognizes people who have made significant contributions to Canada and their home province and communities.

In presenting the medals, MLA Leonard said she hoped that these awards would highlight Curtis and Webber鈥檚 achievements and inspire others to continue to act to benefit the community. 

The medal will be awarded to 30,000 individuals across the country and is the first Canadian honour to mark a coronation.