Two Tri-City residents now have the King Charles III Coronation Medal from the Premier of B.C.
Today, Aug. 27, Coquitlam’s Harinder Mahil and Farhad “Fred” Soofi of Port Moody received the hardware at HMCS Discovery — an award created to celebrate the king’s rise to the throne on May 6, 2023, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
The first Canadian medal to signify a commemoration, the accolade is administered by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General and is being presented to 30,000 people across the country for their outstanding contributions to Canadian society and community.
The B.C. government has 551 medals to bestow on the recommendations of MLAs.
According to its news release, Mahil is being recognized “for decades of service fighting for immigrant and human rights, and for co-founding the Canadian Farmworkers Union.”
In 2022, he was named to the Order of British Columbia — an award that came five decades after he started as a farm worker in the Lower Mainland after landing in Canada.
Coquitlam human rights activist joins Order of B.C. https://t.co/rpuC4iAY1B
— Tri-City News (@TriCityNews) August 2, 2022
Mahil's organizing efforts and activism to end workers’ exploitation led to major changes in the province's Employment Standards Act, his Order of B.C. profile reads, which saw the inclusion of farm workers in protections and led to the Canadian Farmworkers’ Union.
"Mahil stepped up in the 1980s and was one of the fearless leaders who fought back against the influx of the Ku Klux Klan becoming established in B.C. He was one of the founders of the B.C. Organization to Fight Racism, an organization that challenged hate. The anti-racism group led to the creation of others that continue to this day."
Mahil had a 10-year stint with B.C.'s labour ministry (1982–1992); a decade with B.C. human rights agencies (1992–2002); and a labour relations position with the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada before joining the human rights commission.
Fred Soofi profile
As for Soofi, he is being singled out “for philanthropy and volunteerism in all aspects of his community, including settling and welcoming refugees from Turkiye and Ukraine."
The entrepreneur’s love for the Tri-Cities, its residents and visitors knows no bounds.
A former restauranteur, the Iranian emigrant has helped countless of nonprofits since he arrived in Canada about 40 years ago.
At Pasta Polo, he opened his eatery for charitable — and political — means and, in 2022, he was honoured by the City of Port Moody with a Medal of Good Citizenship for his good deeds in making the municipality a better place.
He’s also provided support to artists and art groups in the City of the Arts, including at PoMoArts; served as director of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce; and run for Coquitlam city council, advocating for affordable housing and heritage preservation.
'You get up in the morning and you have something to do,' says Port Moody medal winner https://t.co/DvmxkJ63wb
— Tri-City News (@TriCityNews) December 6, 2022
In a Business in Vancouver article last year, Soofi talked about the impacts on small business owners facing the rising cost of living, housing crisis and labour shortages.
In the news release, Premier David Eby extended his thanks to the medal recipients.
“This distinguished honour recognizes your dedication, unwavering commitment and the profound impact you have made on your communities and our province. It is a testament to the respect and admiration you have earned.”
With a file from Kyle Balzer, Tri-City News
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