Jay Aspin is a well-known community development leader in North Bay, demonstrating unequivocal commitment to the education sector.
He has spent decades as a school board trustee, serving three separate terms as a member of the Near North District School Board and the Nipissing Board of Education from 1976-1985, 2003-2011 and most recently from 2018-2022.
Aspin has worked tirelessly to ensure quality education is provided to students in North Bay and across Ontario, but his community involvement goes far beyond education.
He has also served as a city councillor and as the Member of Parliament for the riding of Nipissing-Timiskaming from 2011-2015.
Aspin’s contributions have made a lasting impression on the North Bay community.
“I didn’t expect this,” Aspin said when he learned the news of his Community Builders Award win in the Education category. “There were so many people that helped me achieve this. It’s really nice to receive recognition.”
Aspin has been recognized for his outstanding work in the past, most notably earlier this year, when he was named appointee to the Order of Ontario for 2023 - the province’s highest honour.
“He has repeatedly demonstrated his dedication and commitment to work with all levels of government to improve the lives of students at the local level and across the province,” said Glenn Meadows, a lifelong friend of Aspin’s.
“It’s not easy to be in public service these days so it’s really heartening to receive an award of recognition,” Aspin added. “I’d like to say thank you for recognizing my work. I always do my work on behalf of the educational community.”
The Education award goes to a student, teacher, administrator, or education advocate (i.e. parent) who has made a difference in the City of North Bay. It could be an extraordinary teacher who has changed the direction of students’ lives, an administrator who established a specialized program, or an advocate who saved a school from closing.
Congratulations, Jay!
This award is proudly sponsored by Leon’s North Bay.
