A Champion for Child Welfare and Early Childhood Education
 

May 18, 2011

By Jennifer Sipos-Smith

The University of Toronto mourns the loss of Wallace McCain—an icon of international business, a devoted family man and a philanthropist who transformed higher education, health care and the arts in Canada.

Elizabeth Morley, the principal of The Laboratory School, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, spoke on behalf of the Jackman ICS and OISE communities about Wallace's extraordinary contribution to early childhood education and the plans to honour him: "In recognition of Margaret and Wallace McCain's gift of $3 million to the Jackman ICS Building Campaign, it was recently announced that U of T would name the new wing to McCarthy House, the Margaret and Wallace McCain Pavilion at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study.  This is a wonderful tribute."

The University of Toronto, including President David Naylor also paid tribute to Wallace McCain.  Here are some of the highlights from the full story:

“Wallace McCain was an extraordinary Canadian,” said University of Toronto President David Naylor. “From tiny Florenceville in New Brunswick, Wallace and his brother built McCain Foods into a world-wide business, and then he did it all over again with his sons at Maple Leaf Foods here in Toronto.

“Together with his brilliant wife, the Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain, Wallace generously supported a wide range of activity in the arts and education, and gave his time and wise counsel as a volunteer to many non-profit organizations. Wallace’s success made him a national icon and global business leader, but Wallace never forgot his roots. He was an unpretentious, straightforward, and big-hearted man who made a huge mark on Canada. I and countless others will miss him.”

Mr. McCain, who died at age 81 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, was a long-time supporter of the University of Toronto. Inspired by the work of his wife, Margaret, Mr. McCain was passionate about the University’s research and teaching on child welfare and early childhood education.