Ken Battle

Ken Battle of Ottawa passed away peacefully on November 18, 2024, after a long struggle with dementia. Ken was born in 1947 in Calgary and lived in Edmonton before moving with his family as a teenager to Ottawa where he attended Bell High School. He obtained his B.A. (Hon.) at Queen's University in Kingston and was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship, which took him to Nuffield College, Oxford for an M. Phil.

On joining the federal civil service, Ken spent several years with the National Council of Welfare, eventually serving as its director. In 1992, he became the founding president of the Caledon Institute of Social Policy, a position he held until 2017 when the Institute's operations ended. In 2000, he was named Member of the Order of Canada, in recognition of his "significant role in the area of Canadian welfare legislation, including the development of the National Child Benefit Program." In particular, today's Canada Child Benefit has lifted hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.

In 2019, Ken bravely faced a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. Throughout his declining health, he maintained a generous spirit, good humour, and strong commitment to social justice.

Ken is survived by his beloved daughter Erin (Richard Chen), brother Murray (Louise Blouin), sister Ellen, nephews Tyler and Curtis, and former wives Ruth Jamieson and Melanie Hess (Laurie McIntyre having predeceased him). He will be fondly remembered by his numerous colleagues, as well as by the friends with whom he shared canoe trips, cross country skiing, and foreign travels. His family wishes to thank loyal friends Ed Tamagno and Betsy Mann; Seniors on Site companions Bob Mady, Walter MacKeigan, and Chris Drummond; and the staff at Amica Westboro Park for their excellent care and support.