A pair of notable Richmondites got some recognition at opposite ends of a recent Angus
Reid Global poll this week.
In an online survey conducted early October, participants were asked to rate from a list
of noteworthy Canadian personalities if they admired them or not.
Topping the list of those who were admired was long-time environmentalist David Suzuki with 57 per cent of respondants saying they admired him.
Close behind in second place was Richmond's Rick Hansen with 50 per cent. The Man In Motion, whose around the world wheelchair odyssey raised awareness and funds for spinal chord research, now heads the Rick Hansen Foundation, working to improve the lives of those with spinal chord injuries.
On the other end of the scale was former 2010 Winter Olympics CEO and former Richmond resident, John Furlong, was admired by just six per cent. Furlong, the current
executive chair of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, has been in the news headlines after allegations of abusing students when he was a volunteer teacher in Burns Lake in 1969. Furlong was also among the least known Canadians in the survey at 63 per cent.
"Congratulations to my fellow difference makers across Canada who were recognized in the recent Angus Reid poll, especially my friend, David Suzuki," said Hansen in an email. "It's a great honour to be named among these great Canadians." Hansen added it was his hope the recognition can inspire a new generation to lead social change and inspire
others into action.
Other most admired Canadians in the survey were CBC news anchor Peter Mansbridge (48 per cent), author Margaret Atwood (34 per cent), federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau (34 per cent), former hockey coach Don Cherry (27 per cent), and Prime Minister Stephen Harper (23 per cent).
Harper received a return of 63 per cent who didn't admire him. At the bottom regions of the survey were disgraced press baron Conrad Black who had 69 per cent not admiring him, and Senator Mike Duffy whose involvement in false expense allegations garnered him a return of 70 per cent who did not admire him.
