2024 CSP Recipients (Part 1)

By A.P. Crawford (ap.crawford@skipatrol.ca)

The highest operating award that a member of the CSP can receive is the Canadian Ski Patroller Award (often shortened to “CSP Award”). It is given to recognize regular members in good standing who, through their activities and actions, have made major ongoing contributions at the zone, division, and/or national levels to support the work of the CSP.

Since the CSP was founded in 1941, there have been just 976 individuals recognized with a CSP Award, again starting with Dr. Doug Firth. These individuals are the supports on which the CSP stands and can be easily recognized, as they are the ones who have a silver-coloured name and award number bar on their nametags.

In 2024, the CSP was delighted to recognize another eight such individuals. Information about the contributions of the first four is set out below and the work of the second four will be highlighted in the September issue of 5/5.

At the upcoming AGM in September, the contributions of an additional group of special members will be recognized for 2025.

Glenn Bonsall – Calgary Zone CSP No. 985

Glenn Bonsall has served the CSP in multiple capacities over the past decades in key leadership positions while at the same time patrolling with his colleagues.

One example of his leadership is his success in increasing the level of diversity on the Audi FIS Women’s Downhill events held at Lake Louise, Alberta, with a focus on injecting youth, drive, and initiative to complement the existing experience on the team. He served as chief of patrol from 2016 to 2023 (the last time the event was held at Lake Louise).

Glenn spearheaded the establishment of the new CSP patrols at both Panorama and Sunshine Resorts in Alberta, a huge task. Prior to that, he had gained patrol leadership experience through his tenure as the patrol leader at Lake Louise from 2005 to 2008. He has also served as an AFA and on-snow instructor within Calgary Zone.

In addition to the work done at the zone and division level, Glenn has also served as an elected national director including as the corporate secretary for the CSP, a position necessary to the function of the organization.

Glenn quietly goes about his business without expectation of recognition and does the job because it needs doing. He continues to provide advice and guidance whenever and wherever asked.

Blair Wallhouse – Central Zone CSP No. 980

Blair Wallhouse contributes to the CSP at all levels, encouraging patroller growth and development with his dedicated approach to leadership and mentorship. He continues to develop his skills and has become an instructor-trainer in multiple disciplines, including as a trainer for the Motorcycle Emergency Response Unit (MERU) based in the CSP Central Zone.

In order to become a trainer with the MERU, Blair had to work closely with the Toronto Police Motorcycle Division and with his riding skills and dedication, he was granted the ability to train other patrollers in motorcycle protocols and skills development. The MERU continues to grow on a yearly basis, both in the number of patrollers involved (now drawn from three zones) and the number of events the unit provides first aid services to.

In 2020, Blair returned to his role as patrol leader at Caledon Resort in Ontario and led the patrol through the pandemic years. At the same time, he has created a stronger relationship with resort management and the patrollers on his team.

Blair’s commitment to the CSP is commendable. His leadership and dedication have been praised by his peers, and he is widely admired and respected within the organization.

Renee Rioux-Marquis – Wabanaki Zone CSP No. 981

Renee Rioux-Marquis is a staunch supporter and contributor to the CSP, as has been demonstrated over the years. No matter the challenge, she takes it in stride and works for the best outcome.

Renee took over as patrol leader for the Mont Farlagne patrol (New Brunswick) in the summer of 2020 and kept the group alive and engaged after having lost 50 percent of its members during the pandemic. Not only did she keep it alive, but she also fostered its regrowth back to its original size. It continues to grow. This was accomplished through active recruiting activities over social media, local radio interviews, and visibility during multiple non-ski events which were also used as recruiting opportunities.

A major aspect of supporting a patrol and zone is fundraising, something Renee is very good at. Through the non-ski and fundraising events, more than $11,000 has been raised. Towards that total, Renee has been instrumental in securing large grants from the Province of New Brunswick, which have been used to purchase new radios, to send a team of four to the division’s on-snow training event, to acquire non-ski uniforms and to refit the female members with new patrol uniforms. At the time the nomination was submitted, additional funds had been set aside to purchase two Edge toboggans for the patrol. Renee was also able to secure a $5,000 donation from the local Rotary Club for the purchase of new patrol jackets.

Additionally, Renee negotiated for office space provided by the City of Edmundston in the Saint Jacques fire station, providing space for the fall training sessions and a permanent place for meetings and storage space for uniforms and radios during the off-season. She has also introduced retention incentives for patrollers in recognition of their work over each season.

At the zone and division levels, Renee is a member of both executives and was a key player in the fusion of the two zones in the province into the new Wabanaki Zone. She worked diligently with the local chief of the Maliceet First Nation to ensure that the new zone name also encompassed all the First Nation peoples within the province. For reference, the Wabanaki people consist of the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamquoddy, Penobscot, and Abenaki peoples.

As if this isn’t enough, Renee has also been the coordinator and lead trainer at the fall requalification training and new recruit training for several years. And, she has worked closely with three different hill managers in the past four years, maintaining a positive relationship with resort management.

The impact of Renee’s involvement cannot be measured. She is professional, passionate, and proud. She has revived the CSP in New Brunswick and created important partnerships. Under her leadership, patrollers are stepping forward to take on additional roles and long-serving members feel reinvigorated. In so many ways, she demonstrates truly remarkable dedication to the CSP.

Doug Morgan – Wabanaki Zone CSP No. 984

Doug Morgan patrols at Crabbe Mountain in New Brunswick which is now part of Wabanaki Zone. His contributions to the CSP over the years are many.

During the pandemic, Doug created the local resort protocols for first aid in conjunction with Work Safe NB and the provincial department of health to ensure that patrollers were kept safe during their shifts, and the patients could also feel safe, knowing all necessary precautions had been taken. He also organized and led a group of patrollers in getting a patrol hut and new first aid clinic for the pandemic. This also worked into the resort’s plans for hosting the 2023 Canada Winter Games. To help save costs for the resort, the patrollers helped to construct the clinic.

Doug is the division training manager and ensures that the zone and area training managers are kept up to date and supported in their efforts, including leading or supporting training sessions for both advanced first aid and on-snow activities. He is an instructor trainer, a responsibility he takes very seriously.

As the Crabbe Mountain patrol leader, he meets with the resort to ensure communication is maintained. He also has responsibility for organizing non-skiing events (about 15 annually) which also serve as fundraising initiatives for the patrol. Given his organizational and leadership skills, he took on a lead role for both the Junior National Free-style Championships and the 2023 Canada Winter Games, working with other health care professionals and showing them what the CSP is all about.

Doug loves to help wherever he can, hence the multiple positions he has taken on. He has always given back as much as he can to the patrollers he works with, and the CSP as a whole. He is a great leader and mentor to his colleagues.

Remember to check back next month for the stories behind the next four 2024 recipients of the CSP Award.