Recognizing Potential

Jim Burns spent his life giving back to his community. As a philanthropist, the Winnipeg business leader was instrumental in founding what’s now called the Manitoba Museum — a centennial project heralded in 1967 as one of the best in the country. He also supported vital educational projects like the James W. Burns Leadership Institute and the Barbara Burns Food Innovation Laboratory, named for his late wife.

But Jim’s proudest achievement was helping to create a world-class skateboard park in downtown Winnipeg. Some adults considered skateboarders to be nuisances who “carved” and “alley-ooped” on building ledges and parking ramps because there was no place else to go. Jim’s commitment to building the Plaza at The Forks — the country’s largest and best skating plaza — was an acknowledgement that young people mattered and that they deserved a safe place to practice their sport.

Jim believed young people could achieve great things if given enough encouragement and support.

He also knew that the key to creating a better future for our children is to give them the gift of history. That’s why, when Canada’s National History Society launched a new “company of Adventurers” program in 2015, Jim Burns was the first to answer the call. “Probably half the country knows little or nothing about our history,” he said.

It opened in 2006 thanks to a gift from The James Burns Family Foundation and has since welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors. It has also inspired countless young people along the way.

Jim kept those letters as a reminder that investing in Canada’s youth can pay incredible dividends — especially if we also give them an appreciation for community and knowledge of the history of their country.