Jamaican/Canadian Businessman recieves PM’s Medal of Appreciation

Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Canada, Carl Marshall, recently presented the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation to Jamaican/Canadian businessman, G. Raymond Chang, at the offices of the Consulate General in Toronto.
Mr. Chang, Chairman of CI Funds, was one of 14 Canadian recipients named to receive the medal from Prime Minister, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson on July 30 at Emancipation Park in Kingston, but was unable to travel to Jamaica at that time.
In making the presentation, High Commissioner Marshall said the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation is given to a Jamaican who has given quality service to his country.
“Although Ray Chang will receive the Medal from me,” said High Commissioner Marshall, “it is being given by his country in recognition of his achievements and is a symbol of the promise of our Independence”.
Highlighting some of Mr. Chang’s achievements, Jamaica’s Consul General to Toronto, Vivia Betton, noted that CI Funds was now the second largest mutual fund company in Canada.
“In addition to his achievements in Canada, Ray Chang has also invested in the Jamaican economy, notably in Walkerswood Caribbean and Island Village in Ocho Rios. We also commend him for playing an active role in the Jamaican community in Toronto. We need hardly emphasize his tireless efforts on behalf of his alma mater, St. George’s College, through its Alumni Association here,” Miss Betton said.
The Consul General also revealed that Mr. Chang was in the process of establishing the G. Raymond Chang Foundation, so that “he can make a more meaningful and far-reaching contribution to educational and social programmes in the inner cities of Jamaica”.
In accepting his medal, Mr. Chang said he was very pleased to receive it and he wanted everyone to know that although he has lived in Canada twice as long as Jamaica, “me yaad deh a Jamaica”.
Witnessing the presentation were Jamaica’s Trade Commissioner; Cherita Girvan-Campbell; Manager of the Jamaica Weekly Gleaner, Max Wynter; and several of Mr. Chang’s friends, including Donald Barnett, President of the Toronto Chapter of the St. George’s College Old Boys’ Association (SGCOBA); Robbie Vernon, First Vice President of SGCOBA; Neil Dalhouse, Liaison Director of SGCOBA; Donnette Chin-Loy; Daphne Chin-Loy and Lucy La Grassa.
Several of the Toronto-based recipients of the Prime Minister’s Medal were also on hand, including Paul Barnett, President of the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations; Grace Carter-Henry Lyon, Musical Director of the Heritage Singers; Mary Anne Chambers, former Senior Vice President at Scotiabank and Liberal candidate in provincial elections; Lloyd Seivright, President of the Independent United Order of Solomon; Valarie Steele, President of the Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA); and Raphaelita Walker, member of Women for PACE (Canada).