Waterloo Council to honour 2019 Waterloo Award recipients

The newest recipients of this prestigious civic award are Eric Davis and David Marskell, and they will be honoured for their considerable contributions to this community at tonight’s city council meeting. 

“I am honoured to recognize Eric and David with the Waterloo Award,” says Mayor Dave Jaworsky. “Their spirit of collaboration, and the work they’ve done with Rotary Waterloo and THEMUSEUM respectively, has had a tremendous positive impact on our community, and makes Waterloo such a great place to live.” 

Eric Davis grew up in Waterloo and for decades, his community involvement has greatly improved our community; especially considering the significant leadership roles he has held with some very well-established community organizations such as CMHA, the United Way and the Rotary Club of Waterloo. Eric has also been involved with many more organizations, including: the City of Waterloo’s Municipal Heritage Committee; Connect the Innovation Corridor Secretariat; Greater K-W Chamber of Commerce; Canadian Diabetes Association; Sustainable Waterloo Region; Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union; and The Record’s Community Editorial Board.  According to Eric’s nominator, Simon Tunstall, “When Eric gets involved with an organization, he does not get involved part-way – he gives it his all and it shows.” 

Eric is a partner with Miller Thomson LLP in Waterloo, specializing in municipal and planning law. He acts for a number of municipalities and other public bodies in southwestern Ontario. Eric, through his profession, benefits the Waterloo community as he continually advocates for our region at the Ontario Bar Association and his representation of his clients locally, whether public or private entities, ensures that all voices are heard and important issues are considered from a variety of perspectives. In 2012, Eric received the IMLA Canadian Scholarship and presented a paper at its annual conference that year in Austin, Texas.  

Eric has been extensively involved in politics since high school and is probably best known as the provincial liberal candidate for Kitchener-Waterloo in the 2011 general election and the 2012 by-election, which further demonstrates his level of community involvement.

Eric has been the recipient of many awards, including: one of Waterloo Region’s top 40 under 40 by The Record in 2011; the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012; Outstanding Leadership Award by Rotary Waterloo, and a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary Waterloo in 2017.  

David Marskell is a community builder who continually looks for opportunities to bring the world to Waterloo. Through his years of hard work and dedication as the CEO of THEMUSEUM, he has had a huge impact on the wellbeing of our community through the numerous world-class exhibitions he has brought here for all to see. He believes in inclusivity and chooses shows and exhibits that are thought provoking and innovative. THEMUSEUM draws visitors from all over and has a significant positive financial, social, cultural and artistic impact on Waterloo Region. He collaborates with all sectors of the community and is well known for thinking outside the box and encouraging others to do the same. 

In the words of David Marskell’s nominator, Brenda Halloran, “David encourages this community to be the best it can be. He generously offers help and support where needed and when asked – he never says no, but always finds a way to say yes and to help. He supports the art scene, he promotes musicians, he helps our non-profits, he provides support to schools, children, families – his reach and love and kindness for this community is well known and he is respected by everyone he works with.” 

David is also a strong supporter of the environment as well as local organizations that he volunteers with such as baseball. David has played a significant role in the region’s bid to secure the Canada Summer Games. He supports tourism and often participates on community panels and discussions around arts and culture, and engaging more people. David is also a strong voice and advocate for government funding for arts and culture. He is an ambassador and champion for volunteerism and for promoting our community far and wide.  

Eric and David will receive a special pin, created by local artist Aggie Beynon at the award presentation tonight. As well, their names will be inscribed on a plaque that hangs in council chambers as a lasting tribute to their contributions.

The public and media are welcome to attend the Waterloo Award presentation tonight at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers, located on the third floor of the Waterloo City Centre building, at 100 Regina St. S.