By Staff
April 11th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Do you know an outstanding person or group volunteering to make Burlington better?
Nominate them for civic recognition this spring.
Nominations are being accepted until April 22, 2025.
Civic recognition provides an opportunity for the Mayor and members of Council to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contributions made by individuals and groups who volunteer their time to the City of Burlington.
Nominations are accepted twice each year, in the spring and fall. Successful recipients are recognized in person at an evening Council meeting (May and October) where they are presented with a certificate.
Celebrate an exceptional individual and/or group in Burlington who has:
- Contributed significantly to the quality of life in the community through volunteer efforts
- Identified and addressed a priority need in the community and put a solution into action
- Achieved provincial, national, or international recognition
For information about eligibility and how to submit a nomination, visit burlington.ca/civicrecognition.
The manner in which the city celebrates the people that have made a difference has certainly changed.
In 2011 the event celebrated people in six different categories:
Citizen of the Year- Junior Citizen of the Year
- Senior Person of the Year
- Arts Person of the Year
- The Community Service Award
- The Environmental Award
The awards program started in 1965 when different service groups in the city had awards they were giving and the thinking was that this event would be better run by the city.
Over time the event evolved – at one point the event included a meal and rthe announcing of the winners in various categories.
Each of the award levels was sponsored by an organization or community group.
Citizen of the Year – Sponsored by Service Clubs of Burlington: Aldershot Lions, Central Lions, Optimists, Royal Canadian Naval Association, The Rotary Clubs of Burlington: Burlington, Burlington Central, Burlington Lakeshore, Burlington North
Junior Citizen of the Year – Sponsored by B’Nai Brith
Senior Person of the Year – Sponsored by the Heritage Place Retirement Community
Environmental Award – Sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Burlington: Burlington, Burlington Central, Burlington Lakeshore, Burlington North
Community Service Award – Sponsored by Cogeco Cable Inc.
There was a time when the city put an effort into celebrating those who made that extra effort to make the city a better place. Now the event is a photo op at a Council meeting.
Several years later the name changed to Burlington’s Best
Now it is an event that gives the public a little over a week to nominate an individual.
However, there is a small flicker in the flame that wars the hearts of those who truly believe in celebrating those who are what the city is made up of – MORE HERE
Yesterday, City Hall announced that acclaimed musician, cultural changemaker, and community advocate Chris McKhool will be presented with the Key to the City on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
The honour recognizes McKhool’s extraordinary contributions to the city and beyond through his internationally celebrated artistic projects such as Walking Through the Fire and The Refuge Project. Both productions were deeply rooted in Burlington while resonating across Canada, spotlighting Indigenous voices, refugee stories, and diverse communities through music, film, and live performance.
McKhool’s commitment to equity, access, and the performing arts has had a transformative effect on Burlington’s cultural landscape.
McKhool’s commitment to equity, access, and the performing arts has had a transformative effect on Burlington’s cultural landscape. He has worked to remove barriers for youth in underserved neighbourhoods, collaborated with educators and presenters across the region, and created opportunities for meaningful dialogue through artistic expression.
In 2024 alone, McKhool was inducted into the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame, and his work with Sultans of String has garnered multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, a Cannes World Film Festival win, and national acclaim for his efforts to build inclusive communities through music. His projects have been featured in both local venues and international festivals, bringing Burlington’s name to the world stage while nurturing the arts at home.
Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony and celebrate Chris’s achievements alongside family, friends, and community supporters. Special acknowledgment is extended to Burlington Indigenous artist Kate Dickson, who nominated Chris for this recognition.
McKhool is also part of the Pizza & Pajamas taking part at the Port Nelson United Church.
Leave a Reply