ETHAN BOS RECOGNIZED FOR EFFORTS TO PASS GREEN SHIRT DAY ACT

He's not yet old enough to vote, but Ethan Bos is already effecting change provincially. The grade 11 student at St. Michael Catholic High School was presented with a copy of Bill 112, the Green Shirt Day Act, on Friday, March 10. Bos has worked tirelessly since 2019 to have Green Shirt Day proclaimed in 12 municipalities and two cities, after hearing the story of Logan Boulet — a Humboldt Broncos hockey player killed in the 2018 bus crash. Boulet was an organ donor who saved the lives of six people.

Bos, a hockey player himself, picked up the mantle to promote Green Shirt Day and the importance of becoming an organ donor in North Grenville and beyond. His efforts helped pass the Green Shirt Day Act in Ontario, which received Royal Assent on April 11, 2022. The bill was sponsored by the Hon. Michael Parsa, associate minister of Housing, who sent a video message played during the presentation ceremony.

"Thanks to your courage, your dedication and commitment, the movement that started with Logan Boulet will be honoured across Ontario each year," said Parsa. "Green Shirt Day will honour, remember and recognize Logan's legacy for years to come. By setting your sights high and following your values, your actions have made a positive impact on the people and community around you."

Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and MPP for Leeds-grenville-thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, presented Bos with a copy of the bill, which proclaims April 7 as Green Shirt Day annually in Ontario. Clark explained that since confederation, only three per cent of private members' bills ultimately became law in Ontario.

"So that means 97 per cent didn't make it," he added. "The fact that so many individuals, who weren't just government members, recognized what Ethan had done and what he continues to do to help promote Green Shirt Day really was an inspiration. I think it was because of your tenacity, that really helped inspire MPPS to say let's make this happen."

Clark noted that the bill received all-party support, which is a rare occurrence.

"It's for you and it's forever," he said. "I just want to say that Bill 112 is more than just a number — it's something that's going to live on long after you and I are gone, so congratulations my friend. You really kept Logan's spirit alive in this province for many, many years to come."

Principal Danny Palumbo told Bos that the students and staff at St. Mike's are proud of him.

"It's remarkable, Ethan, that you took this tragedy of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash and you turned it into something positive that will save lives," he stated.

Coun. Doreen O'sullivan also extended congratulations to Bos, on behalf of North Grenville council.

"We're very proud of you," she said. "It's quite a feat to accomplish this."

Bos explained that it all started at St. Mike's, where his teachers encouraged him to bring his ask of proclaiming Green Shirt Day to council.

"I was a little hesitant about it, but I said why not," he continued. "I just went for it and I kept going."

Bos said it's been a big journey, working to have Green Shirt Day recognized locally and now provincially.

Clark said this is a first for him - to see a bill passed thanks to the efforts of one of his young constituents.

"You look at even some of the bills that are passed in the House, they don't come from a young person, who's done the leg work like Ethan done in the past, so it's a very unique bill," he explained. "I think part of the reason Minister Parsa was able to get all-party support was because we both told Ethan's story in the House, so people knew why we were there. He's a pretty remarkable guy."