Fonds F0111 - Allan T.R. Powell fonds

Dr. Allan T.R. Powell was born in the United Kingdom but has lived, studied and worked in Canada since 1961. He began as a professor at the University of Toronto in 1966 where he taught urban sociology and mass communications. He was one of the first faculty members at Erindale College, University of Toronto, when teaching began in 1967 but was also active in non-academic activities including being the chairman of the college's Arts Community from 1967-1969. Powell was active in urban reform in Toronto from 1969. He was the founding chair of the Stop Spadina, Save Our City, Co-ordinating Committee which played a key role in mobilizing the citizens of Toronto in stopping the Spadina Expressway from being constructed. Powell ran for municipal office in 1975 and was an active member of the New Democratic Party during the 1970s. He was active in securing the rights of those who contracted Hepatitis C through blood transfusions, and was the founding president of the Hepatitis C Survivor's Society (HEPSS), a national charitable organization dedicated to supporting the needs of those with Hepatitis C. The HePSS was granted Intervener Standing at the Kreever Inquiry into the security of the Canadian blood supply. Powell was also active with the Hepatitis C Society of Canada (HeCSC), a non-profit organization which represents all persons who have acquired Hepatitis C. Powell himself was infected with Hepatitis C through a blood transfusion. Dr. Powell died in 2002 in Toronto.