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Facts about the MS Carnation Campaign
The very first campaign was run by
a Quebec chapter in 1975. Recognizing its success, the MS
Society National Board of Directors made it a national campaign
in 1976. It is now the MS Society of Canada’s longest
running fundraiser.
Over $45 million has been raised through
the campaign since its inception. Funds raised support MS research
and services. $45 million worth of flowers is equal to
9 million bouquets of flowers or 27 million individual stems.
Politicians of all stripes have participated in the campaign
including Pierre Trudeau (1976), Mel Lastman (1976), Brian
Mulroney (1988) and Stephen Harper (2004) (photos available).
The MS Carnation Campaign is typically
launched on Parliament Hill with MPs as they head into Question
Period, usually just a few days before Mother’s Day.
The Great Robbery: During the inaugural campaign in 1976,
a man purchased flowers from a volunteer in downtown Toronto
and proceeded to walk to a nearby Bank of Montreal. With
a red carnation in one hand and a gun in the other, he
went on to rob the bank and stole $800. It is not known
if the bandit was ever caught.
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