Awards and Recognition

The Order of Ottawa, established in 2012, celebrates outstanding citizens of Ottawa. This prestigious, civic award recognizes exceptional citizens who have achieved the highest level of excellence and achievement in many fields of endeavour, have brought honour and prestige to themselves and made significant contributions to the community that benefit the citizens of Ottawa. 

Please take a moment to nominate an Ottawa resident whose extraordinary work and dedication have helped make Ottawa a better place to live.

Eligibility Terms and Criteria

Any resident of Ottawa who has made a major impact, influence and outstanding benefit to our community and the broader community through career and community contributions is eligible for nomination.

Nominations will be considered every year for five consecutive years from the date of submission. Supplemental information outlining new significant accomplishments and contributions can be submitted by the original nominator to OrderofOttawa@ottawa.ca

Ineligible Criteria

Nomination submissions consisting exclusively of volunteer work will not be considered. Such submissions, however, could be considered for the Mayor's City Builder Award, a civic honour created to recognize outstanding volunteerism.

Ineligible Nominations

• self-nominations
• nominations of immediate family members
• posthumous nominations
• elected federal, provincial, or municipal politician currently in office
• sitting judge of any court
• municipal, provincial, and federal officials currently in office
• A volunteer

Nomination Process

Please submit your nomination using the online form at the link below.

Order of Ottawa nomination form

Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching nomination form

You can also download and print a copy of the nomination form (for print purposes only)

Mail print nomination form to:

City of Ottawa
Order of Ottawa Selection Committee
c/o Office of Protocol and Intergovernmental Affairs
110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1

Deadline for nominations

The nomination deadline is Friday, September 8, 2023 at 11:59 P.M. EST.   

Selection Process

All nominations are considered by a Selection Committee comprised of the Mayor or Deputy Mayor, City Clerk, Chief of Police, Chief of Protocol, City Archivist, and the Chief Executive Officer, Library Services. 

Investiture

The Mayor of the City of Ottawa invests the recipients at an annual civic ceremony. Recipients and their nominators are notified in advance of the investiture.

Past recipients

Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching

In 2003, in recognition of Brian Kilrea's 1,000th career victory, the City of Ottawa created the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching to acknowledge the contribution of an amateur coach who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership and commitment that have been the hallmarks of Brian Kilrea's exceptional career. The Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching will be presented at the Order of Ottawa awards ceremony.

An outstanding citizen may be nominated for either the Order of Ottawa or the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching. 

 Information

• Call 3-1-1
• E-mail orderofottawa@ottawa.ca

Back row / dernière rangée :  Gavin Lumsden, Susan Richards, Gillian Gailey, Mélissa Larocque, Cynthia Bland, Paul Hindo (2020 recipient / récipiendaire de 2020), Lane MacAdam, Kevin A. Ling (Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching / Prix Brian-Kilrea soulignant l’excellence d’un entraîneur)

Front row / première rangée :  Harvey Glatt, Janet Mason, LCol/Lcol Frances Chilton-Mackay (Retired)/(retraitée), Jocelyn Lamont, Gipsy Ghosh, His Worship/Son Honneur Jim Watson, Zybina Richards, Natasha Bakht, Julie Richards (2021 recipient of the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching / récipiendaire du Prix Brian-Kilrea soulignant l’excellence d’un entraîneur de 2021), Katherine Cotton, Kris Singhal

2022 Recipients

Natasha Bakht

Natasha Bakht is a Full Professor of law at the University of Ottawa and the Shirley Greenberg Chair for Women and the Legal Profession. Her scholarship is devoted mainly to bettering the practical realities of women’s lives. She works actively to strengthen awareness and understanding, and to promote dialogue, for the rights of religious minorities in Canada. Her work counters misconceptions about Islam and particularly Muslim women.

Bakht is also an Indian contemporary dancer and choreographer who uses a hybridity of forms to tell the stories of diversity and resistance. Her award-winning dances express multi-dimensional narratives of difference, beauty and identity. In producing an original body of dance works that reflects her unique path, she has expanded the contours of Canadian dance.

Cynthia Bland

Cynthia Bland is the Founder of Voice Found, a not-for-profit organization that works to create safe communities that recognize and stop abuse. Voice Found supports survivors in their journey to overcome what has been done to them without their consent, and to move on to healthy lives.

As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Cynthia used this experience to create an organization that exists to assist other survivors of abuse and trafficking. The peer support model of the organization is innovative, caring and effective in aiding survivors to carry on with their lives.

Cynthia recognized that wrap around support that is trauma-informed is not always available to clients and so services include access to therapy and medical care through The Clinic, a caring space where clients are heard and not rushed, and conversations about trafficking and sexual abuse are able to come to the forefront in a safe way. 

Ms. Bland has devoted much of her life to this cause and her awareness has helped hundreds in the community.

Lieutenant-Colonel Frances Chilton-Mackay, OMM, MSM, CD (Retired)

LCol Chilton-Mackay was born in Toronto, Ontario in 1956. She began her military career in 1976 as a Reserve musician with the 7^th Toronto Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery Band, later transferring to the band of the Governor General’s Foot Guards, Ottawa in 1985 in order to follow her Music Education career as a high school music teacher.

In 2000, having retired from her teaching career, she was promoted to the rank of Major to assume the full-time position of Inspector Reserve Bands and Reserve Band Advisor for all Canadian Forces Reserve Bands. In 2003 she was chosen to assume the newly created position of Staff Officer Army Bands reporting to the Commander of the Army. 

In 2005 she was accorded her Regiment’s greatest honour when she was appointed the first female Director of Music of the Regimental Band.  Having been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel by the Commander of the Army in September 2008 she maintained both her Army Headquarters position and that of Director of Music until her retirement in 2016.

For her lifetime commitment to music and the advancement of musical pursuits within the Canadian Armed Forces she was invested as an Officer in the Order of Military Merit in May 2007 and was subsequently awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in May 2010.  

Not being one to shy away from additional duties and responsibilities, LCol Chilton-Mackay was key in spearheading the first ever Canadian Army Ball in 2005.  Since that time, and even after retirement in 2016, she continues to be a driving force behind this annual event; one considered to be the most significant and successful social events on the Canadian Forces calendar held in the Nation’s Capital each year. 

In 2022 she was selected to chair the committee organizing the 150th Anniversary celebrations of the Governor General’s Foot Guards

Katherine Cotton

Katherine Cotton is a highly respected Ottawa lawyer.  She has dedicated her career to providing advice and support to organisations and individuals in the workplace, recognizing the value of people and the importance of relationships in that setting.  Katherine is known for her collaborative approach and ability to build consensus.  For more than twenty years she has been a member of various boards with a mandate to guide and oversee the operations of organisations that provide public health and safety services. 

Katherine is the longest-serving Chair (2017-2022) of The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) where she spent a decade as a Governor (2012 -2022).  As Board Chair, she played a critical role in building support for the new Civic Hospital campus, managing and growing key partnerships and meeting with community groups and provincial leaders to advocate for the health care needs of our community. Under her leadership and her commitment to include new and more diverse voices across the organisation, an Indigenous Peoples Advisory Circle was established and has a meaningful impact in planning the new hospital campus. 

Katherine provided steadfast leadership during the worst of the pandemic. Her wise and compassionate guidance was instrumental to TOH successfully responding to the pandemic with agility and resilience. Katherine’s work has led to concrete benefits for TOH staff, students, researchers and patients, and to our community as a whole.

Gillian Gailey

Gillian Gailey is a woman who has dedicated over half of her life to the care of individuals and families living with aphasia, the loss of communication. A speech-language pathologist with several years experience in providing aphasia therapy, Gillian has listened to countless families whose day-to-day interactions have been devastated by aphasia.  In 1989, a partnership was forged with Kathy Stiell, an equally committed, outstanding social worker with overlapping experience in her own field. Together, they created a charity to provide a social-emotional and communicative safety net, accessible to all people with aphasia and their families.

Today, the Aphasia Centre of Ottawa (ACO) provides that safety net for well over 120 families. Some are coping with sudden-onset aphasia following stroke, others are coming to terms with the gradual loss of language of Primary Progressive Aphasia. Beyond direct client care, the dedicated ACO team of now eight professionals actively seek every opportunity to advocate for aphasia in all spheres of the broader community, while also providing training for other health care workers and students in how to be supportive communication partners to people who have aphasia.

Gillian is extremely proud of what has been accomplished over the past 33 years and her role in shaping community-based care for families with aphasia. There is yet so much to be done and she takes immense pleasure in knowing that the Aphasia Centre will continue to evolve with ever new initiatives of the amazing group of energetic and talented individuals with whom she works.

Gipsy Ghosh

Gipsy Ghosh promotes multiculturalism in the City of Ottawa by unifying communities and cultures through successful festivals, events, seminars, networking summits, and multicultural celebrations. 

She is the Founder and Director of the World Multicultural Festival, bringing together and celebrating Canada's multicultural mosaic since 2016.  The festival’s mission is to increase awareness about diversity and inclusivity between various multicultural communities of the world in Canada.  She is also the Founder and Director of the Mr. & Ms. Multicultural Canada Pageant, where contestants can showcase their cultures with pride before a panel of judges.

Ms. Ghosh also serves as the President of India-Canada Consortium, furthering Indo-Canadian relations in Ottawa, and has organized fundraising events for the Bruyère Foundation, Humans for Peace Organization, and Angels d'Aide Humanitaire.  She is currently a jury panel member of Ottawa Distinguished Woman, an organization which acknowledges achievements and contributions of local women.

Gipsy Ghosh is an Ottawa treasure and an advocate for of our global community.  She sees the commonalities, the strengths, and the riches across all of our diverse communities, and her unwavering dedication and focus makes her a veritable force to the multiculturalism of the city. 

Harvey Glatt

Harvey Glatt has been a leading figure in Ottawa’s music scene for six decades.  Born in Ottawa in 1934, married to Louise for 66 years until her death in 2022, Harvey Glatt has devoted his life to the promotion of music and culture. 

From 1957, when they opened the city’s first stand-alone record store, The Treble Clef, Harvey focused on Canadian talent. He and Louise directly supported and helped many local performers find their footing in the music industry. Harvey gave his personal time in one-on-one relationships with these artists. 

In the 1960s, the Glatts were co-owners of a coffee house on Sussex Drive called Le Hibou, where Ottawa audiences could experience performers like Joni Mitchell, Bruce Coburn and Leonard Cohen at an early stage of their careers. As concert presenters over several decades, he and Louise brought many artists of all styles, ranging from classical to rock, folk, jazz, and pop to perform in Ottawa.

Harvey was instrumental in 1977 in founding a new radio station, CHEZ-FM, in Ottawa. CHEZ-FM was noted for its innovative programming that highlighted Canadian talent and was later acquired by Rogers Communications in 1999. Harvey served on the Rogers Media board from 1999-2004 and among others, Harvey has also served on the boards of the Canadian Film Institute, the Ottawa Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Arts and Culture, FACTOR (the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings), and the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival. 

He was the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2013 and was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2007. He and Louise supported a wide range of artistic and social-service organizations in Ottawa.  Their vision, integrity and generosity have given a real boost to the cultural life of our City.

Jocelyn Lamont

In her role as Executive Director of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Programs, Jocelyn Lamont worked passionately with many dedicated volunteers and community partners over the years to ensure families of children with cancer enjoyed the best life possible. 

Having lost a young son to cancer herself, she understands the many challenges of caring for a critically ill child and was able to draw on her experiences in the creation of simple, but impactful programming. 

The “Parking Program” covered the out-of-pocket costs for parking at the hospital for parents bringing their child for multiple treatments and “Cyber Kids” is a program which provided young cancer patients with the tools to succeed academically when they were out of the classroom for extended periods of time due to treatments.  These are just two of the over twenty programs Candlelighters’ provided to families.

In addition to her efforts here in Ottawa, Jocelyn willingly shared her ideas and successful program models both locally and across the globe; presenting papers at SIOP – International Congress of Pediatric Oncology, co-chairing a Public Health Agency of Canada Steering Committee relating to Childhood Cancer organizations and sitting on the Advisory Council of the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario.

In June 2022, after almost 24 years with Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Programs, Jocelyn joined the Patient Experience Team at CHEO, where she works to deliver Family Support Services to patients, youth and families in need.

Mélissa Larocque

Mélissa Larocque has been teaching French as a second language with the Ottawa Catholic School Board for over 10 years. She is currently teaching at St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School.  She is a proud Franco-Ontarienne and even holds a Master’s Degree in French Aboriginal literature.

She recently launched her own photography studio, Larocque Photography and Design,

where she offers hundreds of professional photography sessions to people in the community. She has made it her mission to provide discounts to those less fortunate, to ensure that all children grow up with high quality visual memories of their childhood.

She runs her business with social and environmental consciousness; her studio is powered by solar panel. She has donated her time and sponsored many causes, including the JDRF Sunlife Walk to cure diabetes, and many more. She has also created partnerships between her studio and many other women entrepreneurs in different fields across the city, providing services, opportunities, and giveaways empowering other small business owners and benefiting their customers.

Through her art and her passion for the French language, Mélissa Larocque has been able to take her love of working with people and turn it into a successful business.

Gavin Lumsden

Gavin Lumsden has been a passionate ambassador for the Nation's Capital for more than 30 years. As Station Manager for Rogers tv French and English community channels, he has lent his creative energy to the development of thousands of television programs produced for, by, and about the people who call Ottawa home. 

During the pandemic and under Gavin's leadership, the Rogers tv stations pivoted to ensure comprehensive live coverage of City and Public Health news, and introduced special programming to promote, support and sustain local businesses and charities. The stations crafted virtual editions of existing fundraising events enabling charities to sustain of critical programs and services. 

A lifelong volunteer, Gavin has contributed to a wide range of local projects and organizations such as the Mission, Cornerstone, St Joe's Centre for Women, the Dragon Boat Foundation, the Food Bank and Ottawa Cares. In 2006, he created a wellness program for at-risk inner-city youth called Walk This Way in partnership with BGC Ottawa. 
 
Identifying a need for our city's most isolated, during the pandemic Gavin created more 15,000 fresh meals, distributed through various agencies. A group of his friends dubbed “the Brunch Bunch” regularly prepare and serve special meals for local shelters and community projects.
 
Gavin is not only a tireless advocate of the charitable work done in the City of Ottawa but a dynamic volunteer who leads by example. He has a genuine interest in making our communities a better place to live and approaches this activity with an unwavering compassion and positivity.

Lane MacAdam

Lane MacAdam has served at the highest levels of Canadian sport.  For close to four decades, he was a leader in government and the non-profit sport sector and applied his extensive skills to a number of key roles in the Canadian sport system and the Ottawa sport community.

Recently retired from Own the Podium (OTP) as Director of Partnerships and Operations, Mr. MacAdam contributed to OTP’s reputation as a key supporter of Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic high-performance landscape and improving Canada’s international success.

Mr. MacAdam served as Special Advisor/ Executive Assistant to four federal Ministers of Sport. In the nineties, Mr. MacAdam was the first President/CEO of the Canada Games Council and presided over five successful sets of games.

Mr. MacAdam held various positions at Sport Canada from 2002-2015, including Director General. He was at the helm when the Canadian Sport Policy 2002 was adopted by all Federal-Provincial/Territorial governments, and also helped usher in the Sport and Physical Activity Act (2003).

As a volunteer certified Coach in competitive ringette and soccer in Ottawa for close to two decades, Mr. MacAdam enriched the lives of hundreds of young Ottawa athletes through a shared love of sport.

Janet Mason

While working over 30 years in engineering and senior management positions within the defence and technology industries, Ms. Mason has always found time for the environment and her community, volunteering for several environmental groups and initiatives over the last several years and devoting herself to the preservation of and education about our natural environment. 

She helped co-found Friends of the Carp Hills, which aims to protect the Carp Hills by working with landowners, community groups, residents, conservation organizations and government officials to foster conservation and eco-connectivity. 

For the past 7 years, Ms. Mason has sat on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, serving as its Chair for two years, and representing the City of Ottawa. She also serves as Chair of the Ottawa Stewardship Council and sat on the boards of the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust and the Macnamara Field Naturalists’ Club. She assisted in the Duck’s Unlimited Canada (DUC) successful acquisition of the 440 acres adjacent to the village of Carp, in partnership with the City of Ottawa and the Government of Canada.

Janet has worked with many levels of governments and educational institutions to promote research on how to safeguard the wilderness and beauty of this special area of our city. She is focussed on making the world and the City of Ottawa and its communities a better place, by conserving its valuable natural spaces.

Susan Richards, FCPA, FCMA

Susan Richards is a trailblazer who is deeply committed to building a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ottawa, particularly for women founders.  Susan has more than 20 years of financial leadership experience with expertise in the tech sector. Over the past 15 years Susan has served as CFO and/or Financial Advisor to over 40 start-ups.

She served as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Invest Ottawa and Director for the past 7 years. Susan played a key role in establishing programming for Invest Ottawa’s International Women’s Week and championed programming to support more women founders.  She has also served as a Director on the Kanata North Business Association and Treasurer for Equal Voice. Susan has championed for greater gender diversity in her volunteer leadership roles.

She is co-founder and managing partner of Ottawa-based Numbercrunch, which provides organizations with outsourced financial guidance and vital support, including strategic financial direction, forecasting and planning, and capturing data in a useable way. Susan is focussed on helping local businesses grow strategically, entrepreneurs prepare for funding and investments, and companies to become efficient with financial reporting and technologies.  

Susan has also served as a champion for SheBoot, an investment-readiness boot camp for women founders, where she has served as an advisor since its inception in 2020.  She also co-founded Givopoly, a concierge gifting service which highlights the work of local artisans and small businesses.  

Zybina Richards

Zybina Richards has been a Director of the Fallingbrook Community Association (FCA) for almost 30 years and has been leading the FCA as President for over 20 years. She is currently the President of Kiwanis Club of Eastern Ottawa Est and Secretary on the Capital Fair Board. She is also one of the founding members of the Multicultural Association of Orleans, which aims at promoting the diversity of our communities in Canada.  
    
Zybina gives back to her community on a daily basis, organizing events that contribute to the wellbeing of our citizens. She is heavily involved in community events including planning Canada Day celebrations in Orleans since 1994 and she was instrumental in bringing back Canada Day to Petrie Island for the 150th celebration. She’s also involved with the sKreamers Halloween Fear Fest, Ottawa Blues Fest, the Capital Fair and more, some of which attract over 60,000 visitors to the area.  

Zybina has worked on the contribution of $325,000 to the construction of the Kiwanis Adventure Playground and worked with Staples Canada to collect $500,000 worth of school supplies during pandemic. Each year she purchases 100 pyjama sets and personally delivers them to the Youville Centre for mothers and children in need. She also presents gifts to each graduating student at the Youville Centre.

Zybina Richards is known for bringing people together and building bridges. She’s a tireless, hardworking and dedicated community activist, with a passion for helping others and her community.

Kris Singhal

Kris Singhal immigrated from Delhi, India with a Bachelor of Commerce degree with honours from the top commerce college in India, Shri Ram College of Commerce, and a Bachelor of Law (L.L.B.) from the University of Delhi.  Kris made Ottawa his home where he earned his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.  

He founded Richcraft in 1983, determined to develop communities where families could flourish.  Since its inception, Richcraft has built over 16,000 homes in Ottawa with the help of a team of more than 200 employees and numerous trade partners, while contributing countless donations.  Kris’ dedication to giving back has been unmatched.

With Kris’s guidance, the Singhal family and Richcraft organization have supported CHEO, the Ottawa Hospital, Hospice Care Ottawa, Habitat for Humanity, Shepherds of Good Hope, Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, Shenkman Arts Centre, Ottawa Senators Foundation, Carleton University, Algonquin College and community initiatives in the neighbourhoods he builds in.

These partnerships supported new services in health care, education, philanthropy, sports and entertainment, and arts and culture. Kris additionally served on the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board and The Heart Institute’s Board of Directors.

For Kris, success is a life rich in honesty, integrity, service, community involvement, and spirituality.  He sees spirituality as a way of life that includes peace of mind and helping the less fortunate.  With this, alongside his kindness, generosity, and dedication to instilling these values into the next generation, Kris truly encompasses the meaning of being an exceptional citizen.

Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching Recipients

Kevin A. Ling

Kevin A. Ling is an Ottawa builder and entrepreneur and has continued his drive to leave a “lingering affect” on every person he interacts with.

He is the owner of a successful fitness business under his Power Muscle & Fitness brand and is forging a reputation as a leader in the fitness industry and the larger community as a whole.

This last fall he took over as the new owner of the Ottawa Sooners Football Team (CJFL), an organization who had not fielded a team in over 3 years and after assuming the Head Coaching duties just prior to the start of their season, Coach Kevin led them to a winning season, a berth in the conference semi- final.  Although the season ended without a championship, five players were named Ontario Football Conference All Stars and Kevin was recognized as a major award winner as the OFC Coach of the Year.

As a former semi-pro player, Kevin has been committed to not only returning Sooners football to Ottawa but in creating a winning culture centered around player skills training and position-specific development.

Aside from his role with the Sooners, and his gyms, Kevin is also the CEO & Managing Director of Arlington Group, which provides bespoke risk management, safety and security services across the National Capital.

Kevin work ethic is non-stop as he works daily on building the next generation of pillars in our Nation’s Capital. He has formed a new alliance with both the Ottawa Catholic School Board and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board to provide high school institutions with high level gym equipment free of charge, so the students can achieve the highest level of fitness.

He is a mentor to many and demonstrates this through fairness, equality and respect.

The Key to the City is the City’s highest and most prestigious honour. 

The Key to the City is bestowed upon distinguished persons and honoured guests of the City of Ottawa. The practice of presenting a key to an individual may be traced back to medieval times, when admission into a city was hampered by many legal restrictions, as well as by walls and locked gates. The key symbolized free entry. By the middle 1800s, it became customary to give a Key to the City as a symbol of the City's intention that the recipient was free to come and go at will.

Recipients of the Key to the City

Background

In 2005, as part of the celebrations for the Year of the Veteran, the City of Ottawa launched a street-naming initiative to honour our local veterans. The initiative is a partnership between the City of Ottawa, Veterans Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion and local private developers.

All applicants must proceed through the City of Ottawa’s commemorative street naming process. Once approved by the commemorative street naming process, the Office of Protocol and Intergovernmental Affairs liaises with Veterans Affairs Canada and the Poppy and Remembrance Committee of the Royal Canadian Legion who grant permission to utilise the Poppy on the approved street sign.

Local developers participate in this initiative by voluntarily naming streets within new housing developments. The permanent street sign that is installed during the final stages of construction of the subdivision bears the Poppy – the ultimate sign of remembrance.

The presentation of the street sign takes place during the Candlelight Tribute for Veterans every year during the month of November. The event is co-hosted by the City of Ottawa and the Department of Veterans Affairs with approximately 800 guests in attendance. As part of the ceremony, the Mayor presents the family with a replica of the actual street sign.

Honourees
2021 – Squadron Leader Dr. Jean Davey

Left to Right: Mr. Hugo Lalonde, Ms. Sharon Rudnitski, His Worship Jim Watson, Mr. Yasir Naqvi.

Born in 1909, in Hamilton, Ontario, Jean - Davey became one of the first two Canadian women to enter the Armed Forces, serving as the first Canadian female doctor from 1941 to 1945.Dr. Davey was the first woman to be granted the commission of Squadron Leader as head of a medical care unit, and she was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1943 in recognition of her service.

She served with the RCAF until her retirement from the military in 1945, then returned to Women’s College Hospital where she held the position of Associate Chief of the Department of Medicine. In 1950, Dr. Davey was appointed Chief of Medicine at the Women’s College Hospital, and from 1946 to 1973 she taught at the University of Toronto, where she became a Professor of the Faculty of Medicine.

She retired from Women’s College Hospital in 1973 and, in recognition of her legacy, the Dr. Jean Davey Honorary Fund was established to provide financial assistance to hospital employees to further their education and upgrade their skills.

In 1973, Dr. Davey was awarded the Order of Canada in recognition of her outstanding medical and military careers, and for her services to medicine as an educator and administrator.

Dr. Davey died on March 13, 1980

CAIVAN have agreed to add “promenade Jean Davey Drive” in their Ridge development in Barrhaven.

2020 – Lieutenant-Colonel David Wiens

Left to Right: Councillor Glen Gower, Mrs. Gail Wiens-Segal, His Worship Jim Watson, Mr. Yasir Naqvi, Mr. Colin McSweeney.

Born in 1920, David Wiens attend St. John’s College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, before joining the Canadian Army, serving overseas in World War II. He served in the Canadian Intelligence Corps from 1942-1946 in Northwest Europe and the United Kingdom at which time he was promoted to the rank of Captain.

In 1945, with the conclusion of war he was discharged from the military. Upon returning to Canada, he obtained a Diploma of Education from the University of Manitoba and taught high school students at St. John’s College.

In 1951 David Wiens rejoined the Canadian military where he served in various intelligence appointments. He received multiple decorations for his World War II service including the Thunderbird Badge for his contributions to military intelligence as well as the Canadian Decoration and 1St Bar for his long service. His rank at discharge was that of Lieutenant-Colonel.

David Wiens spent his retirement years researching his genealogy which led him to write a book detailing his lineage with the historical stories of Mennonites and their travels across Europe as well as some stories of his childhood in Russia.

Lieutenant-Colonel Wiens died on November 16, 2017.

CTR Developments a consortium made up of Claridge Homes, Tamarack Homes and Richcraft have agreed to add “rue David Wiens Street” in their Westwood Subdivision in Stittsville.

2019 - Warrent Officer Second Class, Bertram "Bud" Hannam

Left to Right: Erin O’Connor, EQ Homes/Regional Group; Taylor Marquis, EQ Homes/Regional Group; Councillor Eli El-Chantiry; Rosy Hannam; Veteran Ken Sanford; His Worship Jim Watson; Rosita Smith and Brady Smith; William Hannam; and Jacquie Sanford.

Bertram “Bud” Hannam was a decorated World War II veteran. He was a 23rd Field Ambulance Reservist and landed in France on D-Day (June 6, 1944) and served on the continent for the duration of the war.

He was officially discharged as a Warrant Officer 2nd Class in 1968. Bertram “Bud” Hannam was laid to rest in the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces at Beechwood Cemetery Ottawa on July 25, 2019 at the age of 94.

2018 - Private Michael Joseph Stoqua and Private Moses Tennisco

Left to Right; Chief Kirby Whiteduck, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nations, Private Fraser Cunningham, Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own), Corporal Kenton Lynds, Governor General’s Foot Guards, His Worship Jim Watson

Private Michael Joseph Stoqua:

Private Michael Joseph Stoqua was a First Nations (Golden Lake Band, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Ontario) soldier who was born on August 3, 1893.  At the age of 22, he enlisted as a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force to serve in the First World War.  As a Private, he registered with the 42^nd Regiment Guard Detachment, and then served for two years with the 130^th Overseas Battalion.  On April 15, 1917, Private Stoqua succumbed to his wounds at the General Hospital in Boulogne, France, as a part of the 75^th Overseas Battalion.

Private Moses Tennisco:

Private Moses Tennisco was a First Nations (Golden Lake Band, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Ontario) soldier who served his country as a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War.  He was born on August 18, 1884, and served with the 107^th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment).  Private Tennisco gave up his life for the Commonwealth in action on June 27, 1917, and was laid to rest at the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom.

Canada Lands Company and Mattamy Homes have agreed to add Michael Stoqua Street and Moses Tennisco Street in Wateridge Village, formerly CFB Rockcliffe.

2017 - Leading Writer Stuart Kettles

Left to Right: Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Jody Saurette, Mr. Bruce Kettles, Mr. Al Smith, Ms. Margo Smith, His Worship Jim Watson, Councillor Mark Taylor, Mr. Scott Saurette and Mr. Devon Saurette.

Leading Writer Stuart Kettles was born in Ottawa on September 1, 1917 and attended the High School of Commerce and the Ottawa Technical School. Prior to enlisting in the Royal Canadian Navy, he was employed as a clerk-stenographer with J.R. Booth from 1937-1941.

Enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy Reserves in 1941, he was drafted to His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMSC) Athabaskan in 1942. He survived the sinking of the Athabaskan on April 30, 1944 and was taken as a prisoner of war (POW) and detained at Marlag und Milag, Germany. He was discharged from the Royal Canadian Navy in November 1945.

After he was discharged from the Royal Canadian Navy Reserves, he joined the Ottawa Police Services and served from 1946 to 1966 and attained the rank of sergeant. He was awarded the Police Service Medal.

Stuart Kettles was also awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and clasp and the War Medal 1939-45. He was given the discharge badge in 1945. A classroom of the Cossette Building at Canadian Forces Base Halifax is dedicated to Stuart Kettles.

Stuart Kettles married Muriel Barkley on October 7, 1947 and had two children Greg and Margo.  Stuart Kettles died in Ottawa on May 20, 1966.

Rue Stuart Kettles Street will replace rue Henley Street in Bay Ward as part of the Improved Process for Resolving Municipal Addressing Anomalies initiative.

2016 - Corporal Eric Maloney

Left to Right: Ward Councillor Michael Qaqish, Ms. Melissa Côté, Tartan Land Consultants Inc., Ms. Cynthia Maloney, His Worship Jim Watson, Mr. Andy Adams

Corporal Eric Maloney at 18 years of age from Douglastown, Quebec proved his courage and service to Canada by joining the Canadian army during the call to arms at the onset of World War II.  As a member of the Royal Rifles of Canada, he along with his comrades in “C” Force sailed to defend the colony of Hong Kong.  Cut off from any reinforcements and supplies, they held off the far in numbers of the Japanese invasion force for eighteen days. 

“C” Force was the first Canadian unit to see battle in World War II and earned many commendations, including the first Victoria Cross awarded to Canadians.

Following their surrender on Christmas day 1941, Eric and his comrades endured four years and eight months as Prisoners of War, which under the Japanese who did not sign the Geneva Convention, was essentially four years and eight months of slavery.  He, and his comrades, did everything in their power to disrupt the Japanese war effort including risking their lives in acts of sabotage.

Upon his return home Eric was united with his girlfriend Elizabeth (Betty) Ebsary who had waited for him in Newfoundland.  Eric and Elizabeth were married for 58 years until Elizabeth’s death in April of 2005. 

Eric pursued his dream of becoming a chef.  Probably reinforced by the starvation diet experienced as a Prisoner of War, Eric gained basic knowledge of his chosen profession working in various locations as he saved money so he could take formal training.

Eric graduated from McGill University with a certification as a professional chef.  He then continued to serve his country by applying his talents on NORAD’s Distant Early Warning sites (DEW Line) in Canada’s Artic from 1954 – 1955 and again in 1959-1963.  Eric wanted to remove the limitations that this location had on his family, so they relocated to Toronto where he became managing chef of several establishments there, and later throughout Ontario as he sought to increase his repertoire.

In 1987 Eric brought his talents to Ottawa as the chef for the faculty dining room at Carleton University until his retirement in 1991 at the age of 70.  While in Ottawa Eric found “home”.  He adopted Ottawa as his own and become a financial supporter of many of its charitable organizations, primarily the Nepean Museum.

Eric liked people, especially the youth.  Each year he would elaborate on the Second World war the allies fought in the Far East, bringing personal anecdotes to the history of our nation during the period making it more relevant to the listener.

Eric Maloney died on March 11, 2015.

Tartan Homes and Tamarack Homes have agreed to add “voie Eric Maloney Way” in their Findlay Creek development in Ottawa’s south end.  

2015 - Vice Admiral Ralph Hennessy

Left to Right: Lieutenant-General Guy Thibault, The Reverend Cannon David Clunie, Colonel Dorothy Cooper, Councillor Jody Mitic, Councillor Riley Brockington, His Worship Jim Watson, Mrs. Diana Hennessy, Vice Admiral Mark Norman, Mrs. Leslie Lahey, Mr. Michael Hennessy, Mrs. Carol Matson, Mr. Angus Gray, Councillor Eli El-Chantiry, Councillor George Darouze, Lieutenant Gordon Gray, The Honourable Kent Hehr, Councillor Jean Cloutier, Councillor Michael Qaqish, Ms. Chantal Schryer and General Walter Natynczyk.

Vice-Admiral Ralph Hennessy, CD (September 5, 1918 - June 13, 2014) was the eldest son of Colonel Patrick Hennessy and Ellen Robb and grandson, great-grandson and great-great-grandson of soldiers.

In August 1936 when he enrolled in the Royal Canadian Navy as and Officer Cadet, he became the first Hennessy in four generations not to serve in the British Army in time of war.

Between 1936 and 1939 he underwent training with the Royal Navy which included service on Non-Intervention Patrol during the Spanish Civil War and on the Africa Station. The former was his first experience facing enemy fire.

At the outbreak of World War II he was a newly commissioned Sub-Lieutenant and part of the commissioning crew of HMCS Assiniboine where he spent nearly four years of the war.

In August 1942 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross following Assiniboine’s successful surface battle against the German U-boat, U-210. The Cross was presented to him by His Majesty King George VI on May 11, 1943.

Ralph Hennessy served in many positions and vessels at sea and held many position at shore including; Comptroller-General of the Canadian Forces, Chief of Personnel. He retired from the Canadian Forces after 35 years of service in 1971.

After retiring from the Canadian Forces, Mr. Hennessy was appointed founding Executive Director of the Standards Council of Canada. He also served as Vice-President of the International Organization of Standardization, the first Canadian to do so.

Vice Admiral Hennessy was actively involved in the Corps of Commissionaires Ottawa Branch. He is a former President and long time member of the Royal Ottawa Golf Club. Always learning, he received his BA in history from the University of Waterloo in May 1995.

Urbandale Corporation and Richcraft Homes have agreed to add “avenue Ralph Hennessy Avenue” in their Riverside South development in Ottawa’s south end.

2014 - Section Sergeant Helen Rapp

Left to Right: Greg Bowen, Michelle Taggart, Kathleen (Rapp) Murdie, Melissa Côté, Patsy (Rapp) St. Denis, Amy Cheff, Sharon (Rapp) Halayko, Gerry Bowen, John Rapp, His Worship Jim Watson, Councillor Steve Desroches.

Helen Rapp (July 25, 1925 – August 22, 2013) was a veteran of the Second World War and of the Canadian Women’s Army Corps.

Helen Rapp served at the Directorate of Signals in Ottawa from 1942 to 1946. She was a Bomb Girl and a member of the Armed Forces Pensioners Association.

Mrs. Rapp was married to Frank Rapp and they had five children. After Mr. Rapp’s passing, in her mid seventies, Mrs. Rapp married Mr. Gerry Bowen, and became stepmother to three boys.

Helen Rapp was a champion of veterans’ rights, particularly military widows. She was a volunteer and supporter of the Queensway Carleton Hospital.

Mrs. Rapp is the first female veteran to be honoured with the City of Ottawa’s Veterans Commemorative Street Naming.

Tartan Land Consultants Inc. and Tamarack Homes have agreed to add “voie Helen Rapp Way” in their Findlay Creek development in Ottawa’s south end.

2013 - Major W. Barry Helman

Left to Right: Councillor Marianne Wilkinson, Lieutenant General Guy Thibault, Councillor Keith Egli, The Honourable Robert Nicholson, Mr. Bruce Nicol, Ms. Melissa Côté, Mr. Scott Helman, Mrs. Elizabeth (Betty) Helman, His Worship Jim Watson, Mrs. Katherine Kenny, Mr. Thomas Schweiger, Ms. Ann Kenny, Mrs. Kimberley Helman, Mr. Patrick Mason, Mrs. Linda Thompson and the Honourable Julian Fantino.

Major W. Barry Helman (December 1, 1929 – January 30, 2013) was a Veteran of the Korean War and a retired Canadian Forces Veteran.

Since retiring from active service, Major Helman had been a dedicated volunteer on behalf of Veterans. He was an active member of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping (CAVUNP) and the immediate past president of the Ottawa Chapter of this association, a position he held for six years.

Until his death, Major Helman continued to represent CAVUNP at a wide variety of military, civil and governmental functions and made presentations when called upon.

Major Helman took personal responsibility for raising funds for his Chapter's commitment to the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre in Ottawa and to date, thousands of dollars have been raised to assist the Veterans who reside there.

In addition to his volunteer work within CAVUNP, Major Helman was also a member of the Korea Veterans Association of Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion.

Tartan Land Consultants Inc. has agreed to add "Croissant Barry Helman Crescent" in their Havencrest development in Ottawa's South end.

2012 - Able Seaman Jerome (Jerry) Jodoin

Left to Right: Vice-Admiral P.A. Maddison, Councillor Marianne Wilkinson, Mr. Gus Este, His Worship Jim Watson, Mr. Gary Jodoin, Councillor Rick Chiarelli, Mrs. Fran Jodoin, Councillor Diane Holmes, Councillor Keith Egli, Councillor Katherine Hobbs and The Honourable Stephen Blaney.

Able Seaman Jerome (Jerry) Jodoin (1924-2011) was one of Canada’s last surviving World War II Navy Veterans.

Born in Ottawa on September 30, 1923, Mr. Jodoin attended Maxwell Public School and the Ottawa Technical School.

Mr. Jodoin joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1942 and served during World War II in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. The Arctic convoys of World War II were oceangoing convoys which sailed from the United Kingdom, Iceland and North America to northern ports in the Soviet Union – primarily Arkhangelsk (Archangel) and Murmansk both in modern-day Russia.

Mr. Jodoin was decorated with the following medals:

• 1939-45 Star
• The Atlantic Star
• The Pacific Star
• The Canadian Voluntary Service Medal
• The War Medal 1939-45
• He also received a medal from the Government of Russia for his role in supporting convoy duties to supply their war effort.

Mr. Jodoin left the Royal Canadian Navy in 1945 and worked for Canada Post and the Ottawa Printing Bureau for many years before starting his own company Jeroniga of Canada, a property management company.

The Minto Group Inc. has agreed to add “Promenade Jerome Jodoin Drive” in their Avalon development in Ottawa’s East end. 

2011 - Private Ferdinand Riendeau and Guardsman Ferdinand Paul-Emile Riendeau

Left to Right : Ian MacPherson (Mattamy Homes), Deputy Fire Chief Al Karkkainen, Grandmother Rose Martin,
Mr. Marc Anthony Riendeau, Mrs. Jacqueline Verville-Riendeau, Mr. James Richard Riendeau,
Mr. Jean-Pierre Riendeau, Mr. Richard Marshall, Mrs. Helene Riendeau-Marshall, His Worship Jim Watson,
The Honourable Steven Blaney, Mrs. Helga Alwine Heidenreich-Riendeau, General Walter Natynczyk 

Private Ferdinand Riendeau (1883-1950) was a World War I combat veteran from the 227th Battalion who fought with the 58th Overseas Battalion in France during the Battle of the Last 100 Days.

He enlisted on March 28, 1916 and was demobilized on April 25th, 1919. Upon returning to Canada, he settled in Ottawa and was affiliated with the Governor General’s Foot Guards Association. Private Ferdinand Riendeau married Mederise Sorel and had eight children - one son and seven daughters. His only son Ferdinand Paul-Emile followed in his father's footsteps and served in the military in World War II. Six of his seven daughters married military veterans.

Guardsman Ferdinand Paul-Emile Riendeau (1920-1975) was a World War II veteran from Ottawa (1942-46). He attended the Guigues School and the Ottawa Technical High School. He enlisted with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa where he became a Sergeant Instructor in Cornwall. He then joined the Armoured Corps and served with the Governor General’s Foot Guards as a Gunner Operator in England and Northwest Europe.

Guardsman Riendeau was bestowed by King George an award of Mentions in Dispatches in recognition of his distinguished service. These mentions were authorized in the London Gazette No. 37138 on June 21, 1945 and in the Canada Gazette Number 13 on March 31, 1945. He also received the 1939-45 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the 1939-45 War Medal.

Upon returning to Canada, he married Jacqueline Verville and had one daughter and one son. He spent the remainder of his career working with the Ottawa Fire Department and retired as a Sergeant. Both his son and grandson later served with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa.

Rue des Soldats-Riendeau Street will be situated in Phase 3 of Mattamy Homes’ Half Moon Bay South community.

2010 - Able Seaman Jean Frederick Andre Audet

Back row: Mr. Cory Matthews, Mrs. Tanya Matthews, Mrs. Caroline Audet,  Mr. Peter Audet,
Ms. Amanda McIntyre, Mr. Chris McIntyre, Mrs. Ashley McIntyre, Mrs. Kathy Audet, Mr. Rob Audet,
Mayor Larry O’Brien, Mr. Phil Matthews, Mrs. Gram Audet, Mrs. Sue Matthews, Mrs. Andrea McIntyre,
Mrs. Jean Audet, Mr. Jim McIntyre, Ms. Michelle Audet, Rear-Admiral Andrew Smith, Mr. Dan Audet
Front row: Ms. Emily Audet, Ms. Baylie McIntyre, Ms. Callia McIntyre 

Jean Frederick Andre Audet enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy on May 4, 1942 as an Ordinary Seaman.

Mr. Audet served on many ships including the H.M.C.S. Athabasca, spending 26 months at sea during World War II as an Able Seaman. Wounded as the Athabaskan sunk in the English Channel on April 29, 1944, Mr. Audet was very lucky to have survived as 128 of his fellow crew members lost their lives.

Mr. Audet received the 1939-45 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp as well as the War Medal (1939-45) for his service.

Mr. Audet married Gram Tergie in 1952 and is survived by his six children: Cathy, Jean, Susan, Andrea, Rob and Peter, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mattamy Homes was honoured to include “Andre Audet Street” within Phase 1 of their Half Moon Bay South community in Barrhaven.

2009 - Trooper Brian Richard Good

Back row: Mr. Steve Good, Mr. James Good, Mr. Mark Pusztai, Ms. Linda Good, Mayor Larry O'Brien
Front row: Ms. Jessica Good, Ms. Sandra Good, Ms. Kayla Good , Ms. Jeanne Pusztai,
Ms. Geraldine Legault

Trooper Good enlisted in the Canadian Forces on October 21^st, 2005 at the age of 39. He served as a member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons based out of Canadian Forces Base Petawawa and was assigned to Joint Task Force (JTF) Afghanistan - Infantry Brigade at Kandahar, Afghanistan as a Gunner on September 29, 2008.

Trooper Good’s assignment abruptly came to an end on January 7, 2009 when he was killed by a roadside bomb in the Shah Wali District of Afghanistan. Trooper Good was only 43 years old when he was killed.

Trooper Good is survived by his wife Sandra and their two teenage daughters, Jessica and Kayla. The Good’s have been life long residents of the Barrhaven community.

Riverside South Development Corporation, a partnership between Urbandale Incorporated and Richcraft Homes, has agreed to include “Brian Good Avenue” within Phase 9 of their Riverside South development.

2008 - Gunner Frederick Richard Paine

Back row: Mr. Jack Stirling, Minto Group Incorporated, Ms. Paula Paine, Ms. Christine Lavergne,
Mayor Larry O'Brien, Ms. Catherine Maddigan, Mr. Scott Paine.
Front row: Mrs. Mary Eileen Paine

Gunner Frederick Richard Paine served in the 4^th Canadian Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery.

Soon after returning from the war, Mr. Paine began his career in real estate. One of his earliest achievements was brokering the sales of the Hopewell Farm, which is now referred to as Crystal Beach. He later worked for Rhodes Real Estate, a prestigious downtown firm and was involved in the sale of key properties in the city. In the 1950’s real estate boom, he worked for as the Director of Sales for Minto Construction where he was a central figure in the development of key communities such as Parkwood Hills, Meadowlands, Glen Cairn and Hawthorne Meadows. He later worked for A.B. Taylor Construction Incorporated and sold homes in the Copeland Park area – a place where he would eventually settle with his family.

In the 1970’s, Mr. Paine went to work for the Public Service and eventually worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Rideau Veterans Home. Despite the fact that he worked in commissary stores, he paid personal attention to the veterans, particularly those who fought in the First World War.

Gunner Frederick Paine received the following medals: 1939 -1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and the Clasp and War Medal 1939 to1945.

Minto Communities Incorporated has agreed to name a street “Paine Avenue” within their new Arcadia Development in Kanata. The development, located just north of Scotia Bank Place will consist of 1400 residential units.

2007 - Private Francisco (Frank) Mancuso

Mayor Larry O'Brien, Mr. Bob Mancuso and Ms. Mary Jarvis, Urbandale Corporation

Private Francisco (Frank) Mancuso served in the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps. Private Mancuso enlisted in Ottawa on April 29, 1941 and served in the United Kingdom, Central Mediterranean and Continental Europe from October 6, 1941 until September 14, 1945.

Private Mancuso received the following medals: 1939 -1945 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp War Medal 1939 -1945.

KNL Developments Incorporated, a partnership of Urbandale Corporation and Richcraft Homes, have identified a street within their Kanata Lakes development as the site of “Mancuso Court”. Phase five of this development will be registered in 2008.

2006 - Captain William LeBoutillier

Mr. William LeBoutillier and Mayor Bob Chiarelli

Captain LeBoutillier was in "D" Company of the Royal Rifles of Canada and saw action at the infamous battle at Stanley Village, Hong Kong, in 1941. Canadian soldiers successfully counter attacked the enemy by crossing the open terrain of the cemetery and driving the enemy from their positions. Unfortunately, the Japanese returned with greater numbers and with concentrated mortar fire, drove the Canadians back to their original positions.

Captain LeBoutillier received a battlefield promotion to Adjutant of the Royal Rifles of Canada for his leadership and courage in the 17day battle for Hong Kong. Captain LeBoutillier was also awarded the Member of the British Empire.

Valecraft Homes Incorporated, with the cooperation of Canada Lands Company who owns adjoining lands, agreed to include LeBoutillier Avenue as part of their Aviation Private development.

2005 - Gunner Paul Antonio Métivier

Madame Justice Monique Métivier and Mayor Bob Chiarelli

Mr. Paul Métivier was one of the last surviving veterans from the First World War in all of Canada. Mr. Métivier was a long time Ottawa area resident (former City of Nepean) who passed away in December 2004. Mr. Métivier was the first recipient of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation in 2002. He also had received the British War Medal, the Victory Medal (1921) and the Class A Badge (1918) and more recently, the French Legion d'Honneur for his service in France. Mr. Métivier always accepted invitations to represent World War One veterans and was often seen at the Remembrance Day ceremonies at Canada's War Museum and National War Memorial.

Minto Developments Incorporated agreed to participate in the first ever initiative and identified a street in one of their new subdivisions in South Nepean. P. A. Métivier Drive is located in the Chapman Mills area of South Nepean. The first phase of the development was completed during the summer of 2006. P. A. Métivier Drive runs for approximately two kilometres, east to west, between Woodroffe Avenue and Longfields.

Freedom of the City is the highest honour a municipality can bestow upon a military unit. The fi­rst granting of Freedom of the City by the City of Ottawa dates back to 1894.

The granting of the Freedom of the City by a municipality is one of the most esteemed honours to bestow on a military unit. This military tradition began in England during the 15th century at the time of the War of the Roses when marauding military units endangered cities. Before a city would admit a military unit inside its walls, the chief constable would demand to know the reason the soldiers wished to enter the city. The chief constable would then proceed to escort the unit commander to the chambers of the city council to determine whether the city leaders could trust the unit. If proven trustworthy, the unit was granted the privilege known as, “The Freedom of the City.”

This designation entitled the unit to, “march through the street with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed.” Once bestowed, this honour was retained forever. By the 17th century it became more popular to bestow the honour of Freedom of the City to military units that had protected towns from invaders in times of war.

In Canada, this traditional ceremony is symbolic and has been bestowed on Canadian military units whose origins stem from local militia formed in a particular city or town or Canadian military units who have won battle honours overseas. The City of Ottawa has been honoured to bestow Freedom of the City upon the following units:

In 2017, to mark the sesquicentennial of Canadian Confederation, His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, on behalf of City Council and the citizens of Ottawa, granted permission of a Joint Exercising of Freedom of the City by the 18 military units and the three cadet corps who, since 1894, have been granted Freedom of the City. In appreciated of the long and honourable association between these military units/cadet corps and the city of Ottawa, and in gratitude for the services borne with dignity and skill by the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, permission was granted to march through Ottawa with bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying.

The Mayor's City Builder Award is a civic honour created to recognize an individual, group or organization that has, through their outstanding volunteerism or exemplary action, demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to making our city a better place today and for the future. This may include life-long service, outstanding acts of kindness, inspiring charitable work, community building or any other exemplary achievements.

Eligibility

Members of City Council or the public may nominate individuals, groups or organizations. Any youth, adult, senior or group in the City of Ottawa who willingly volunteers their time and efforts to benefit others is eligible provided they live in, operate a business in, or volunteer within the City of Ottawa. Employees of the City of Ottawa and individuals serving on City of Ottawa committees, boards or agencies are eligible for nomination provided their volunteer activity is not an extension of their role as an employee, committee, board or agency representative. To nominate a candidate, the nominator should complete the nomination form describing the efforts and achievements of the nominee.

Selection process

Nominations for the Mayor’s City Builder Award may be completed online. The award recipient will be presented with a certificate from the Mayor and the Ward Councillor at the beginning of each Ottawa City Council meeting. The Mayor's Office will coordinate with the recipient's attendance at council. Recipients will be selected by the Mayor and notified by the Mayor's Office.

There is no deadline to apply and nominations shall be valid for one year after submissions, during which time the nominee may be selected to be recognized.

For more information:

Office of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
City of Ottawa
110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON
K1P 1J1
Phone 613-580-2424 extension 25426
Email mark.sutcliffe@ottawa.ca

2022 Recipients

• Sharon Armstrong
• Association des auxiliaires du Centre d'accueil Champlain
• Yves Brunet
• Susan Cameron
• Gail Church
• Ken Craig
• Neil Falls
• Sylvain de Margerie
• Mandy Hambly
• Denise Herbert
• David Kalil
• Angelica Kalubiaka
• Rachelle Lecours
• Zexi Li
• Tim McIntryre
• Norm Robillard
• Streetcar 696
• The Ottawa Senior Pride Network
• Grace Thrasher
• Ward Tresham
• Danilo Velasquez

2020 Recipients

• Big Brothers Big Sister of Ottawa
• Jennifer Cook Baniczky
• Gurbachan Singh Bedi
• Tom Marcantonio
• Paul O'Kane

2019 Recipients

• Dr. Mohd Jamal Alsharif
• Bereaved Families of Ontario – Ottawa Region
• Dylan Black
• Bruce Campbell
• Richard and Brian Cooper (Cooper Brothers)
• Sanchit and Riya Gupta (MealCare)
• Janet Mason
• Betty Hope-Gittens
• Sister Lorena Morris
• Avery & Rowan Parkinson
• Moses Abayomi Pratt & Kelly Dikeledi Pratt
• Rohit Saxena
• Lynn Stacey
• Kim Steele
• StopGap Ottawa
• Greg Thurlow
• Trend-Arlington Community Association
• Al Tweedle
• Rasha Yacob

2018 Recipients

• Jacob Baylin
• Billings Bridge Pacesetters Walking Club
• June Girvin
• Dallas Greeley
• Samia Hirani
• Catherine Kelly
• Graham Macmillan
• Elio Marcantonio
• Tony Mariani
• Osman Naqvi
• Chris Nihmey
• Proud To Be Me
• Albert Tang
• Karen Taylor
• Ali Tejpar
• Russ Thomas
• Mary Ann Varley
• Agnes Warda
• Mark Wigmore
• Catherine Wilcox

2017 Recipients

• Rabbi Cantor / Cantor rabbin Daniel Benlolo
• Christo Bilukidi
• John Blatherwick
• John Brummell
• Michael Deyell
• Kay Dubie & Liz Tucker Bob Easy
• Judy & Al Graham
• Very Reverend Father 
• Patrick Lin
• Qamar Masood
• Glenn Mooney
• Heather Murphy
• Ibrahim Musa
• Lee Ann Napiorkowski
• Ottawa 2017 Volunteers 
• Ottawa Police Chorus 
• Sharon Roper
• Don Winchester

2016 Recipients

• Al and Betty Arseneault
• Klaus Beltzner
• Bon Appetit Ottawa
• Bruce Brayman
• Elizabeth Dessureault
• Friends of the Greenboro Library
• Marcel Gibeault
• Girls+ Skate 613
• Zachary Graves
• Donna Gray
• Debbie Heuchert
• Louise Staranczak and Frances Kane
• Reverend Joseph Kiirya
• Gina LaPointe
• Tysen Lefebvre
• Frances and Ronald MacDonell
• Divya Massilamani
• Giuseppe (Joe) Nicastro
• Pamela Tourigny

2015 Recipients

• Aldege Bellefeuille
• Randy Born
• Marie-Eve Chainey
• Jonathan Chow
• Dr. Safaa Fouda
• Stuart Holmes
• Margaret Knight
• Mitchell Kurylowicz
• Kerry MacLean
• Daniel McCarthy
• Marie McIntosh
• Mes P'tits Copains
• Joseph Oombash
• Louis Patry
• Peter Ryan
• Jean Séguin
• Omar Sultan
• Helen Synek
• Chris Taylor

2014 Recipients

• Rabbi Menachem Mendel Blum
• Catherine Burns
• Carol Burrows
• Citizens for Safe Cycling
• Wendy Daniels
• Laura Dubois
• Nicole Fortier
• Shelby Hayter
• Amyn Keshavjee
• Doreen Lebano
• Susan MacLatchy
• Captain Tim McKee
• Bill Robinson
• Patricia Tait
• John Therien
• David Vesey

2013 Recipients

• Major William Berry
• Harley Bloom
• Laura Bouchard
• Brothers Dubé
• Jatiner Chadha
• Gay Cook
• Joseph Cull
• Sarah Dehler
• Allison Dingle
• Grete Hale
• Chris Hughes
• Floralove Katz
• Gilles LeVasseur
• MAJIC Morning (Stuntman Stu, Angie Poirier & Trisha Owens)
• Brian Mulligan
• Mark O’Neill
• Lieutenant-Colonel (Retd/à la retraite) Guy Robitaille
• Karen Secord

2012 Recipients

• Hi Carswell
• Patricia (Pat) Clark
• Jeremy Dias
• CAWI (Suzanne Doerge)
• Tom Flood
• Michael Hanna
• Hannah Hempinstall
• Chris Henderson
• Gord Jenkins
• Kay Johnston
• Madat Kara
• Frank Licari
• Margaret (Peggy) Lister
• Diana Majury
• Jeanine & Dean Otto
• Peter Runia
• Emily Tieu
• David Truemner
• Kathy Yach

2011 Recipients

• Maurice Bilodeau
• CTV Ottawa
• Pierre Gauthier
• Betty Giffin
• Linda Graupner
• Elizabeth Gravelle
• John Gooch
• John Higgins
• Coralie Lalonde
• Lionel Laurin
• Lone Star Texas Grill (Baseline)
• Navan for Kraft Hockeyville Committee / Comité de promotion de Navan au titre de Kraft Hockeyville
• Phil Nguyen
• Michaela Noffke
• Daniel Richer
• Ruweida Shire
• Mohamed Sofa
• Fran Squire

The Civic Appreciation Awards, created in 2002, and awarded until 2010, were established to recognize community volunteers and underscore their valued contributions to the city’s quality of life. Since 2011 our community volunteers are recognized by the Mayor’s City Builder Award.

Recipients by Year

2002

Citizen of the Year

Heather Colls – Adult

Graham Ball – Senior

Distinguished Civic Award

Keith Brown – Athletics, Sports and Recreation

Roy Cooper – Health

Elizabeth Gross – Humanitarianism

Mark Inman – Athletics, Sports and Recreation

Lily Komenda – Humanitarianism

Michel Lamoureux – Education

Becky Marr Johnson – Arts and Culture

Giovanna Panico – Heritage

Robert Philips – Heritage

Robert Rodney – Environment

Barbara Vance – Rural / Agriculture

Community Activism Award

Eleanor Elliott – Adult

Ann Crain – Senior

Alf Gunter – Senior

Meghan Martin – Youth

2003

Citizen of the Year

Denis St-Denis – Adult

Marian Chapman – Senior

Rahana Adam – Youth

Distinguished Civic Award

Mike Christie – Environment

Ron and Betty Eastman – Rural/Agriculture

Larry Ellis – Heritage

David Lowe – Athletics, Sports and Culture

Beryl McKale – Health

Bob Rainboth – Humanitarianism

Asoka Weerasinghe – Arts and Culture

Gary Whitten – Education

Community Activism Award

Chris Hughes – Adult

Marion Gullock – Senior

Céline Philippe – Youth

2004

Citizen of the Year

Anne-Marie Philippe – Adult

Margaret Finley – Senior

Rebecca Dixon – Youth

Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching

Darrell Campbell

Distinguished Civic Award

Lillian Cousen – Health

Richard Fraser – Rural/Agriculture

Diane George – Humanitarianism

Cathy Kerr – Health

Joan Klenavic – Arts and Culture

Robert Lockwood – Recreation and Leisure

Kathy Nihei – Environment

Linda Paolozzi – Education

Carolyn Quinn – Heritage

Community Activism Award

Bonnie Gray – Adult

Bertillia Christian – Adult

Pansy Waterman – Senior

Candice and Ryan Dekker – Youth

Ottawa Distress Centre “Elite Volunteer Group” – Group

2005

Citizen of the Year

Margaret MacNeill – Adult

Christine Easton – Senior

Lliam Hayes – Youth

Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching

Bill Heikkila

Distinguished Civic Award

Edith Carty – Humanitarianism

Greg Dumont - Arts and Culture

Brian Finch – Environment

Anthony Keith – Heritage

Dr. Emdad Khan – Education

Ken and Betty Kingsbury - Rural/Agriculture

Patrick Reid - Recreation and Sports

Donald Shultz – Health

Community Activism Award

Charlotte Alain – Adult

Betty Dowd – Senior

Bill Robinson – Senior

Katie Tam – Youth

HOPE Volleyball Planning Team 2004 – Holly Tarrison – Group

2006

Citizen of the Year

Tanya Thompson – Adult

Don Lawlor – Senior

Jeremy Dias – Youth

Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching  

Joseph Sandulo

Distinguished Civic Award

John Balint – Recreation and Sports

Gwen Bell – Humanitarianism

Karen Eck – Health

Anna Kyle – Health

Fiona Reid – Education

Archie Smith – Arts and Culture

Philip Sweetnam – Environment

Georgina Tupper – Heritage

Madeline Whalen – Rural/Agriculture

Community Activism Award

Joe Zadzora – Adult

Paul Greer – Senior

Natasha Rupani – Youth

MedVents Medical Venturers – Group

2007

Citizen of the Year

Allan Hubley – Adult

Harold Moore – Senior

Jessica Weihrich – Youth

Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching

Margaret Jones

Patrick Reid

Distinguished Civic Award

Bill Anderson – Recreation and Sports

Lenora Crowe – Arts and Culture

Nancy and David Hayley – Environment

Michele LeBoldus – Heritage

Karen Leskinen – Education

Mirwais Nahzat – Humanitarianism

Cecil Reaney – Rural/Agriculture

Nina Saab – Health

Community Activism

Rod Vanier – Adult

Nazira Tareen – Senior

Megan Ellwood – Youth

Birth and Parent Companion Program, Canadian Mothercraft – Group

2008

Citizen of the Year

Paulette Dozois – Adult

Joy Bergeron – Senior

Julina Throop – Youth

Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching

Jim Wagdin

Pat Messner

Distinguished Civic Award

Arlene Anderson – Arts and Culture

Monique and John Benfield – Recreation and Sport

Molly Bruce – Humanitarianism

Richard Fleming – Recreation and Sport

John J. Heney – Heritage

Michael Machargo – Health

Lynda McCuaig – Rural/Agriculture

Jennifer Mix – Environment

James Valitchka – Education

Community Activism Award

David Ellis and Matthew Ellis – Adult

Allen Holtz – Senior

Jasmine Renaud – Youth

Salvation Army Disaster Services Volunteers – Group

2009

Citizen of the Year

Tanya Smith – Adult

Alice Campbell – Senior

Mélissa Brunet – Youth

Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching

Charles Chamberlin

Distinguished Civic Award

Michael Ashman – Recreation and Sports

Bob Gowan – Health

Khadija Haffajee – Humanitarianism

Jenniferann Heward-Eastham – Education

Elaina Martin –Arts and Culture

Michael More – Heritage

Betty Prophet - Rural/Agriculture

Wayne Roddick – Environment

Alain Vachon – Heritage

Community Activism Award

Claudio Escobar – Adult

Joan Schrier – Adult

Gary Kyer –Senior

Melody Andrews – Youth

Board of Directors Volunteer Ottawa – Group

2010

Citizen of the Year

Dr. Nalin Bhargava – Adult

Clarence Maheral – Senior

LaDorna Penteluk – Senior

Megan Ellwood – Youth

Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching  

Bill Foster

Distinguished Civic Award

Kelvin Burnett – Rural/Agriculture

Robert Clarke – Arts and Culture

David B. Flemming – Heritage

Pat Lamanna – Education

John Leroux – Recreation and Sports

Gary Lum – Environment

Judy Madaire – Health

James McCracken – Humanitarianism

Tom O. Wright – Environment

Community Activism Award

Chris Tessier – Adult

Helen M. Sutherland – Senior

Jane Au – Youth

Stage Coordinators – Ottawa International Jazz Festival – Group

The Mayor's Office offers certificates of congratulations to Ottawa residents celebrating milestone birthdays or anniversaries as well as military retirement letters. You can request a certificate of congratulations from the Mayor online.

Please allow two weeks for certificate preparation. Once the request is submitted and processed, the certificate will be mailed to the mailing address provided on the form.