Former Richmond mayor, councillor and MLA Greg Halsey-Brandt has been given the Freedom of the City, the highest honour a local government can bestow on one of its own.
Halsey-Brandt served for 12 years as a Richmond councillor and 11 years as mayor, as well as one term as MLA for Richmond Centre.
During his civic service, Halsey-Brandt represented the city on numerous local and regional boards and was an active community volunteer.
"I very much appreciate the honour that the city has bestowed upon me," he said upon receiving the award at a special reception Tuesday night.
"Thank you to city council for this recognition and to all the citizens of Richmond for the privilege of serving them in elected capacities for 23 years.
"The city has evolved from the Township of Richmond of 96,000 people at the time I was first elected in 1981, to a city of over 200,000 people. It has been a truly rewarding experience to be part of the evolution of Richmond into the vibrant, multicultural, environmentally responsible and inclusive city of today."
Mayor Malcolm Brodie awarded Halsey-Brandt at the city's annual Civic Appreciation Event on Tuesday, which honours citizens who volunteer on council's numerous advisory committees and appointed boards.
"Greg Halsey-Brandt served his community with distinction for more than two decades as an elected official and continues to work for Richmond today as a volunteer," said Brodie.
"His vision and leadership during a time of extraordinary growth and evolution in Richmond contributed greatly to the outstanding quality of life and great civic amenities and services we all enjoy today."
Halsey-Brandt is the fifth individual to receive the Freedom of the City honour. Previous honourees included long-time mayors Gil Blair and Henry Anderson and long-time council members Bob McMath and Archie Blair.
The 12th Service Battalion has also received Freedom of the City recognition.
