Lawrence Gladue may have been the recipient of a few sharp barbs but the Frontiers Foundation President of the Board of Directors has officially been launched as a candidate for the post of Governor General after a Roast and Dinner at Project Amik on May 7 in Toronto.

Metis Nation of Ontario President Tony Belcourt was the Master of Ceremonies for the event and he took the opportunity to regale one of his long-time friends in a friendly good-natured way that the audience of over 120 people laughing and crying at times. Belcourt promised the Metis Nation would be doing everything possible to make sure Gladue gets a sharp nod to be the first Aboriginal Governor General of the country.

"There isn't anyone who has worked as hard and as long as Lawrence for Native housing in this country," Belcourt said, "As a result of his work and dedication, there have been over 50,000 housing units built across the country in his 25 years with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)."

Founding Frontiers Foundation Director Reverend Charles Catto also took a few friendly jabs at the former boxing champ from Northern Alberta but was genial in explaining what it means to have a person like Lawrence Gladue sitting on the Board of Directors.

"Lawrence has so many talents and he donates regularly to the Foundation," Catto said. "He has one of the strongest work ethics, integrity to the max and is a general all round guy who isn't afraid of getting the job done."

Gladue started working at CMHC in 1973. At his first conference, he yelled to the back of the room telling some colleague he had better pay attention to what he was saying. It turned out to be his boss, Bob Anderson, a vice-president with CMHC at the time. They became friends for life because Gladue always managed to get the job done.

Retiring from CMHC in 1993 after a stellar 20-year career, Gladue is one of the most sought after consultants by many looking to get into the housing sector. He lives simply and never forgets his roots. The man lives with his partner in a cabin all summer and in a trailer in South Carolina during the winter. The old truck he drives around he won in a lottery.

"Lawrence will make a fine Governor General," lauded Belcourt. "Not only will he save the Government of Canada money, he will bring his work ethic to Rideau Hall."

Dinner guests were served fresh pickerel, elk, venison, and buffalo along with wild rice and an assortment of desserts prepared by Carol Baxter.

Alyssa and Nicholas Delbaere-Sawxhuk provided Metis fiddle music entertainment with Paul Chaput on guitar.