MOOSE JAW — City employee Bob Gagnon was left stunned after learning that he was this year’s recipient of the City of Moose Jaw’s special achievement award.
Gagnon learned that he was this year’s award recipient a few days before the luncheon and was shocked because he thought many other employees who work for the city were also deserving.
“The fact I was chosen, I couldn’t believe it,” he remarked.
Gagnon initially worked at 15 Wing Air Base before transitioning to Moose Jaw transit, thinking that it would be a short tenure. However, the job “kind of grows on you,” and it allowed him to help residents and develop a love for his position.
“The city has always been good to me. And in my mind, we kind of made an agreement whereby all I had to do was show up to work every day and they would pay me all the time,” Gagnon said, noting this allowed him to support his family.
“So, for that, I’m very appreciative,” he added.
When presenting the award, Krysti Johre, manager of transportation and procurement, said Gagnon has a “record of exemplary service and goes above and beyond on a daily basis.” This includes coming in at 6 a.m. to ensure buses are ready, shovelling snow out of the bays so buses can leave the shop, and providing emergency assistance to residents.
“I don’t get into that one, but he’s done some pretty amazing things in his time and we’re very proud of him for it,” she remarked.
Gagnon is usually willing to work overtime if transit is short-staffed — even if he’d rather not — because, as he’s told managers, he would let a disruption happen “over his dead body,” Johre said. “Albeit a small thing, this actually quietly saves the days of hundreds of citizens who rely on transit to get to work, school, appointments, that kind of thing … .
“It’s something that they wouldn’t otherwise know is happening, but he has been a hero on multiple occasions.”
Gagnon has helped with recruiting and retaining people while he has “expertly trained and mentored” many employees on safe and timely bus operation, she said. He is also “the transit history book” because he has patiently guided many supervisors in how the department works.
Johre noted that he helped her when she held that position because while she had plenty of transportation experience, she didn’t have much in transit. Yet, Gagnon ensured that she succeeded with the city.
Gagnon served nearly 20 years on the local Unifor union executive and “fiercely advocated” for staff, she said. Moreover, he advocated for the welfare of staff from other unions who worked in transit.
“Bob is humble and kind. You likely won’t see him at high-profile events … but he is a friendly and familiar face to your everyday folks who would send him a wave and a ‘hello’ as they board the bus … ,” Johre continued.
“It is people like Bob who, on the front lines of the city services, make a difference in the everyday lives of regular citizens (and) puts the interests of transit operations ahead of his own whenever necessary … ,” she added.
“Bob is the epitome of excellence … .”
