Jesse Flis, CM, CCOM, OLDG, Med

2066 Blue Jay Blvd., Oakville, ON L6M 3R4

Phone:  905.469.9743  E-mail:  jessef@interlog.com

 

 

Introduction

 

Jesse’s first involvement in Polonia began in 1952 when his family sold the farm in Saskatchewan and moved to Ontario to begin a restaurant business in Mississauga.  In that year, he joined the Polish Alliance Youth, Branch 7, New Toronto (today Etobicoke).  Six years later, he was elected President of the Central Executive, Polish Alliance Youth responsible for 17 Polish Youth Branches in Ontario.

 

In 1958 he represented the Head Executive Board of the Polish Alliance Board of Canada at the official opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in Cornwall where he met his wife Sophie Radziszewska whose Polish dance ensemble from Montreal was performing at the ceremony.  They met in the presence of The Right Honourable Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.

 

 

Personal Data

 

Date of Birth:              November 15, 1933

Place of Birth:             Fosston, Saskatchewn

Name of Father:          Walter Flis

Name of Mother:        Anna Gruda

Point of entry:             Halifax, Nova Scotia

Name of Wife:                        Sophie Flis

Children:                     Carl (born March 5, 1961)

                                    Casimir (born July 1, 1962)

                                    Elaine (born September 26, 1972)

 

Date parents immigrated to Canada from Lublin, Poland:       1930

 

 

Education

 

Hamilton Teacher’s College, Ontario Elementary School Teaching Certificate         (1956)

University of Toronto,            BA (1961); B.Ed.(1963); M.Ed (1968)

Ministry of Education (Ontario) – Specialist Certificate in Auxiliary Education (1965)

 

 

 

Places of Employment and Positions Held

 

Toronto Board of Education

 

1956 – 1966

• Overcame adversaries to become employed by the Toronto Board of Education as a teacher, consultant, coordinator of special education and the first Catholic principal in the elementary public school system.

 

• His proudest contributions were in special education where he developed programs for mentally challenged students, students with gifted abilities, learning disabilities, emotional problems, and multiple handicaps.

 

1966 – 1970

• Principal, Oriole Park Public School

 

1970 – 1971

• Sabbatical leave of absence to study methods of education in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary (first Canadian Principal to do so)

 

• While in Poland, collected archival material for Wladyslaw Reymont Foundation in Canada including Reymont’s personal letters in his own hand.  In 1970, became the founding member of the W. Reymont Foundation. 

 

1971 – 1976

• Principal, Argentina School in Toronto and twinned with “Canada School” in Argentina.

 

1976 – 1979

• Principal of hospital and institutional programs (Hospital for Sick Children, Queen Street Mental Health Centre, Hincks Treatment Centre, Clarke Institute, etc)

 

• Supervising Principal for the Heritage language programs (Polish, Ukrainian, Albanian, Croatian, Serbian, Hindu, etc)

 

 

Member of Parliament

 

1979 - 1984

 

• Elected and re-elected as the federal Member of Parliament for Parkdale High Park – the hub of the Polish Canadian community.  Chairman of the Canadian Parliamentary Helsinki Group, Founder of the Polish Emergency Committee of Canadian Parliamentarians and a member of Parliamentarians for World Order, the Canadian inter-parliamentary union and five other Parliamentary Associations.

 

• In the House of Commons, aggressively denounced the imposition of Martial Law in Poland and the Polish Governments’ de-legalization of the Solidarity Union in Poland.

 

• Appointed by then the Right Honourable Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau as Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Transport.  In this capacity, he was instrumental in the development and passage through parliament of three major bills:  an Act to Establish the Canadian Aviation Safety Board, an Act to Amend the National Harbours Board and establish the Canada Ports Corporation, and the Western Transportation Initiatives Act to facilitate the transportation, the shipping and handling of western grain, commonly known as the Crow Rate Bill.  Also, in the area of transport, he pursued legislation for safer transportation of hazardous material through heavily populated urban areas and introduced a Private Members Bill for the preservation of our heritage properties.  The latter bill was later proclaimed into law.

 

• During 1981/1982, Jesse chaired the all party special parliamentary committee that recommended the formation of a National Trading Corporation that could assist small and medium sized Canadian businesses to expand their export markets.  (see Publications)

 

1984 – 1988

 

• After being defeated in 1984, went back to the Toronto Board of Education as Coordinator of Special Education Programs responsible for programs for students with learning disabilities and emotional problems in 28 secondary schools.

 

1988 – 1993

 

• Re-elected to the House of Commons and was appointed Associate Critic for Foreign Affairs for the Liberal Party, the Official Opposition.  Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs and International Trade.  During 1990/1991, tabled the most petitions and made the most interventions in the House of Commons urging the Brian Mulroney government to speed up the processing of all self-exiled refugee applications from Poland and those stranded in Greece and other countries.

 

• Was instrumental in developing a House of Commons Canada-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group which is still active today.

 

1993 – 1997

 

• Re-elected with large majority when Liberal party formed the government.  Was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.  He was also appointed the Canadian Chairperson of the Canada-USA Permanent Joint Board on Defence. In these capacities, and as member of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, he was active in assisting the Canadian government to develop a revised foreign policy, a positive position on all NATO expansion, and an original foreign policy for Canada’s North.  He proudly represented Canada around the world, participating at international conferences, monitoring foreign elections, fostering technical cooperation programs in Transition Countries and in developing bilateral relations with many countries.

 

• Jesse has always placed great importance on national symbols for keeping Canadians united.  He lobbied the House of Commons and his own caucus to proclaim “Oh Canada” as the national anthem of Canada and in 1996, he persuaded his party to proclaim February 15^th National Flag of Canada day.

 

 

Volunteer Activities

 

1997 up to 2011

 

• Since his retirement in 1997, Jesse Flis volunteers much of his time as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Copernicus Lodge, a not-for-profit home offering seniors a continuum of care in an environment that respects and celebrates Polish traditions.

 

• Presently, he also devotes a great deal of his time supporting individuals with an intellectual disability.  He is a past Board member with Community Living Toronto having served 1998 until 2001 and presently volunteers on the Government Relations Committee.  His positive approach to reaching out to the education system, to all levels of government and to the community has earned him the Community Living Toronto Volunteer of the Year Award for 2003.

 

• He maintains his interest in foreign affairs and defence by being an active director on the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Council of Canada.  In 2001, he participated in a Briefing Tour to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Maastricht, Netherlands and OECD Headquarters in Paris.  He participates in the Atlantic Council of Canada Roundtables which is by invitation only, on transatlantic affairs and security issues.

 

• From 2001 -2010,  Jesse served on the OMNI Television Advisory Board.

 

• In 2001, Jesse was invited by the City of Windsor, Ontario to be a member of the official delegation for the purpose of twinning two cities – Windsor, Canada and Lublin, Poland.  He was also asked to be a facilitator in the honouring of Doctor Honoris Causa, by the Catholic University of Lublin in Poland to the Right Honourable Herb Gray, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada.

 

• Jesse Flis is an active executive member on the Council of the Canadian Polish Congress for the Support of Polish Studies at the University of Toronto.

 

• Member of the Knights of Columbus, Cardinal Wyszynski Council with fundraising activities for various charities.

 

• Continues to be an active member of the Liberal Party of Canada and the Ontario Liberal Party.

 

 

Decorations, Awards and Recognitions

 

• In the year 2000 was awarded by the Government of the Republic of Poland the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit.

 

• Order of Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas from the Government of Lithuania for “outstanding contributions to Lithuania, her economy, her culture, her science and her education.”  Canada Gazette Part I, March 1, 1997.

 

• Gold Award of Distinction form The Canadian Polish Congress, Head Executive Board, “for serving with distinction Canada, Poland and the Polish Canadian community in Canada.” 1985

 

• Award of Appreciation from the Canadian Polish Congress – Toronto District.  “In appreciation of your continuous support of our organization, its programs and goals.” 1994.

 

• Honorary Life Member Award from The Polish Alliance of Canada, Office of the President, “…with all rights and privileges appertaining here to as recognition of the esteem in which he is held by the members of The Alliance.”   1982.

 

• Appreciation Award from The Polish Alliance of Canada, Head Executive Board, “In appreciation of exceptional loyalty, dedication and devotion to the passwords of Polish Alliance of Canada.”  1984

 

• Ted A. Glista Memorial Award of The W. Reymont Foundation Toronto – Canada – “To honour a member of the Polish-Canadian Community who has voluntarily given of his time and efforts for the betterment of Canada and her people.”  1986

 

• Honorary Membership Award from the Association of Polish Engineers in Canada, “in recognition of his continuing support of the Association’s endeavours as its distinguished friend and advisor.”  Ottawa, 1991.

 

• Outstanding Contribution Award from the Cypriot Community of Toronto “in appreciation for his outstanding contribution to the efforts for his just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.”  1993

 

• Distinguished Leaders Award included in The International Directory of distinguished Leadership Fourth Edition for Outstanding Leadership in Government and Politics (1992)

 

• Honourary Membership Award from The Baltic Federation in Canada, “in recognition of his great support of the Federation of Canadians of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanina decent” 1990

 

• Medal of Merit from the Baltic Veteran’s League in Canada “in recognition of continued support in our fight for the re-establishment of our free and independent States of Estonia, Latvian and Lithuanian” 1991

 

• Medal of the Union of Lublin which commemorates the Union concluded by Poland and Lithuania in 1569 “in recognition of efforts and contributions to the development of the Polish-Canadian contacts” 2001

 

• Sampaguita Cultural Heritage and Civic Organization Appreciation Award “in recognition and appreciation of his consistent support and deep concern for the welfare and well being of the Filipino community in Ontario” 1982

 

• Award of Appreciation from Canadian Hispanic Congress for “par su participacion y excelente contribucion a la celbracion del Decimo Aniversario” 1994

 

• Honourary Membership Award from The Ethnic Press Council of Canada “in recognition of public spirited support and help toward creating a true multicultural society” 1981

 

• Award of Merit from The Spencer Avenue Tenant’s Association “for exemplary and meritorious services rendered willingly and selflessly”

 

• Certificate of Appreciation from Canadian Red Cross, Metropolitan Toronto region “for your outstanding commitment to fostering understanding and harmony toward all cultures and communities” 1996

 

• Distinguished Service Recognition from Speaker, House of Commons “in recognition of your service to Canada during the 32^nd Parliament”

 

• Distinguished Service Recognition from The Right Honourable Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada.  “Congratulations for the tremendous contribution you have made as a Member of Parliament both in representing your constituents in the House of Commons and working within our caucus.  Thank you for your dedication and commitment to Canada.”  1997
• 
  Certificate of Distinguished Service from the Canada – United States Permanent Joint Board on Defense, USA Section “in appreciation an recognition of his distinguished service to the Board as the Chairman of the Canadian Section” 1998

 

• Honorary Member of the Childrens Choir Stokrotki “for outstanding assistance in choir activities and in recognition of service to the betterment of Polonia, Poland and Canada” 2007

 

• Certificate of Distinguished Service from the Canada United States Permanent Joint Board on Defence, USA Section “in appreciation and recognition of his distinguished service to the Board as the Chairman of the Canadian Section” 1998.

 

Other recognitions – too numerous to list in detail:

 

• Deputy Prime Minister – Honourable Herb Gray, P.C.  M.P.
• Mayor, City of Toronto – Hon. Art Eggleton, P.C.  M.P.
• Canadian Ukrainian Congress – Toronto Branch
• Taiwanese Canadian Association of Toronto
• Episcopal Certificate of Recognition
• The W. Reymont Foundation, Honorary Governor, 2010

 

 

Publications

 

• Canada’s Trade Challenge – Report of the Special Committee on a National Trading Corporation, Ottawa, June 1981, ISBN 0-662-51418-1  Chairman:  Mr. Jesse Flis

 

Chapters dedicated to Jesse Flis were included in:

 

• Aleksandra Ziolkowska:  “Dreams and Reality”, Toronto, 1984, ISBN 0-9691756-0-4
• Aleksandra Ziolkowska:  “Kanada, Kanada…”, Warszawa 1986, ISBN 83-7021-006-6
• Aleksandra Ziolkowska:  “Korzenie sa polski”, Warszawa 1992, ISBN 8370664067
• Aleksandra Ziokowska Boehm:  “The Roots are Polish”, Toronto, ISBN 0-920517-05-6

 

 

Biograms included in following publications:

 

• Jacek Kozak, Tomasz Piwowarek:  “Polacy w Kanadzie”, Mississauga, 2006, ISBN 0-9738143-0-6
• Leksykon Polonii I Polakow za granica:  “Polak w Swiecie”, Warszawa 2001, ISBN 83-223-2693-9
• William Makowski:  “The Polish People in Canada”, Montreal 1987, ISBN 0-88776-170-4
• Tomasz Piwowarek, “Kto Jest Kim”, Toronto, 1992 KTO Publishing Inc.
• Stanislaw Stolarczyk:  “Praepustka do raju”, Toronto, 1984, ISBN 0-921724-20-9

 

 

Media

 

• Jesse Flis, Toronto, Canada:  “Dziekujemy za Solidarnosc”, Producer:  Alicja Mikolajczyk, TVP Polonia, Poland 2007 - (10 minute documentary shown internationally)

 

• Jesse Flis, “Achievement Through Dedication”, Producer:  Patricia Carisse, LVC Video Productions, Ottawa 1997 - VHS and DVD formats