Martha Friendly Honoured with a Key to the City

Toronto — Mayor Olivia Chow on Thursday presented the prestigious Key to the City to Martha Friendly, a trailblazing advocate, policy researcher, and expert in Canada’s childcare movement. Friendly has dedicated over five decades to championing universal, high-quality early childhood education and care across the nation.

Martha Friendly founded the Childcare Resource and Research Unit (CRRU) in the 1980s and has been instrumental in shaping policies that prioritize children, families, and women. Her relentless efforts helped lay the foundation for the universal early learning and childcare system currently being developed in Canada.

Mayor Olivia Chow presented a Key to the City to Martha Friendly; leading advocate, policy researcher & expert in Canada’s childcare movement who has been advocating for universal, high-quality early childhood education & care for 50+ years

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— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) October 24, 2024

Friendly’s outstanding contributions have earned her multiple accolades, including the Order of Canada in 2024 and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Trent University in 2015.

Today’s event coincided with Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day, proclaimed by Mayor Chow in recognition of the vital role these workers play in fostering healthy child development and supporting families.

The Key to the City is Toronto’s highest civic honour, presented to individuals or groups who have significantly contributed to civic life. Mayor Chow continues to encourage residents to nominate others who have made meaningful impacts on the city.

Quotes:

“Today, we celebrate both Martha Friendly’s incredible legacy and the unsung heroes who provide early learning and care services to our city’s precious youngest residents. Martha’s dedication to families and children helped shaped a universally available, affordable, and high-quality early childhood education program for children in Toronto,” said Mayor Olivia Chow.

In accepting the honour, Friendly expressed her gratitude: “I’m thrilled to receive the Key to the City. It reflects the collective efforts of many who have worked hard to make high-quality childcare for all a reality across Canada. I’m proud to be part of a social movement that not only supports children, families, and educators but strongly values equity and social justice.”

For more information on the Key to the City, past recipients, and how to nominate someone, visit toronto.ca.

Toronto remains a beacon of diversity and innovation, continuing to earn its place as one of the world’s most livable cities.