North Bay volunteer honoured for helping thousands of people file tax returns

North Bay volunteer wins national award A North Bay volunteer has won a very prestigious award for his work in helping people file their tax returns for the last 35 years.

Jim Parker is quite literally the tax man.

You can find him at his desk in his Main Street East office typing on his computer, helping people complete their tax return forms free of charge.

“Most of them are happy to get them done,” Parker said. “Especially when they get a refund.”

He was shocked to find out he is one of roughly 150 Canadians this year to receive a 36 mm silver medal called the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, presented by Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada.

It’s a national award that recognizes the volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields. It is the highest honour for volunteer service that an individual can receive within the Canadian Honours System.

“I feel very excited to be awarded this award,” he said.

Parker started volunteering in 1988. There was a need for income tax preparation in the community, so, he approached Bob Wood, Nipissing’s MP at the time, to help in filling out forms. Back then, they all had to be done with a pen and paper.

“Communities wouldn’t be what they are, at least I think so, without volunteerism,” said Wood.

Parker knew all too well how complicated income tax forms can be.

“Five- or 10-year returns and that, they take a little bit more time to complete,” he said.

So after Wood retired, Parker chose to stay on during Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota’s term from 2004-2011.

“That’s what builds Canada, the volunteers, people who make a difference in a lot of people’s lives and Jim made a big difference,” said Rota.

MORE THAN 47,000 RETURNS

In 2012, Parker left Rota’s office to join the Low Income People Involvement of Nipissing (L.I.P.I) team. In his 35 years of volunteering, he’s filled out more than 47,000 tax returns.

“A lot of people are intimated by government forms,” said L.I.P.I’s executive director, Lana Mitchell.

“Assistance with a prescription plan, if you’re a senior citizen, there are gains and supports, there’s the affordable housing benefit. They’re all tied to whether or not you complete your income taxes.”

Parker joins an elite list of recipients. Since 2017, the medal has been presented to more than 3,300 Canadians.

He’s not planning to slow down any time soon.

So when filing season comes, you’ll know where to find him. He’ll be in his office getting those forms filled out.

“I’m going to do it for as long as I possibly can,” he said.