Dr. Lloyd Axworthy (left), building owner Hart Mallin, Lieutenant Commander Conor McKee & Dr. Jasper McKee unveiled a commemorative plaque in Christine McKee’s honour March 24, 2006.
The University of Winnipeg named the building at 520 Portage Avenue—housing its Institute of Urban Studies—in honour of the late Christine McKee for her many years of dedication to the University and to the greater Winnipeg community.
“Christine McKee’s life and career embodied many of the qualities that we, at The University of Winnipeg, strive to uphold,” said Lloyd Axworthy, President of The University of Winnipeg. “As an urban institution housed in the centre of one of Canada’s most underprivileged neighbourhoods, we have come to realize that we cannot hope to build a sustainable institution without first ensuring the health and security of our community.”
Dr. Jasper McKee, the late Christine McKee’s husband, and their son and daughter-in-law Lieutenant Commander Conor McKee and April McKee joined with Axworthy and building owner Hart Mallin to unveil a commemorative plaque in Christine McKee’s honour. Many of Christine’s friends and colleagues attended the event, a testimony to her impact on the community.
“As a former colleague of Christine McKee’s and as her successor on City Council, I can think of no more fitting way to honour her memory,” said Councillor Donald Benham (River Heights-Fort Garry) at the ceremony. “Christine’s passion for cities helped define her life and ours. She synthesized both the sober reflection of the academic world with the commitment to action and change of the political world.”
Tom Carter, former IUS Director and Canada Research Chair in Urban Change & Adaptation, was unable to attend the ceremony, but shared his admiration for McKee by way of written message. “Christine understood cities and she was a strong advocate of comprehensive planning and revitalization of the inner city. She was also a very strong advocate for the more marginalized in society. Her tireless work for better quality of life for those in the inner city was part of her strong commitment to planning equity.”
Christine McKee is remembered by all who knew her as a woman dedicated to the betterment of the community. Her career in Winnipeg began in 1975 as a Research Officer at The University of Winnipeg’s Institute of Urban Studies. Within five years she became Director of the Institute. From 1989 to 1991, Christine served as City Councillor for River Heights, after which she chaired the Department of City Planning at The University of Manitoba.
The Christine McKee Building at 520 Portage Avenue houses The University of Winnipeg’s Institute of Urban Studies, as well as Menno Simons College and the University Secretariat.
