The Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism’s, Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat delivers honour and award programs that celebrate Ontarians’ outstanding achievements and recognizes individuals’ contributions to a variety of sectors and communities.

The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious honour we administer. As the province’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Ontario is reserved for Ontarians from all fields of endeavour and backgrounds, whose excellence has left a lasting legacy in the community, province, Canada and around the world. Each year, a select group of individuals are appointed to the Order. They represent the best of our province.

Members of the Order are a collective of Ontario’s finest citizens, whose contributions have shaped — and continue to shape — the province’s history and place in Canada.

You can nominate someone for achievements and excellence in any field. Some examples include:

  • Business and technology
  • Health care and medicine
  • Education and academia
  • Engineering and architecture
  • Skilled trades
  • Mining
  • Arts and culture
  • Sports and entertainment
  • Law and social justice
  • Media and journalism
  • Social and community services
  • Science and aerospace
  • Literature and writing
  • Environment and conservation

Eligibility

The person you nominate (the nominee) must be:

  • A long-term or former resident of Ontario (the nominee does not need to be a Canadian citizen)
  • Someone whose career, in any field, has had a major impact or influence on the province, Canada and around the world
  • Living at the time of nomination

People who are not eligible

You cannot nominate:

  • Yourself
  • Someone who has passed away
  • An elected federal, provincial or municipal politician currently in office
  • A sitting judge of any court
  • One of Ontario’s legislative officers while in office: auditor general, ombudsman, information and privacy commissioner, financial accountability officer, integrity commissioner, chief electoral officer
  • A volunteer
  • Someone for acts of bravery

No person may be appointed to the Order posthumously, unless death occurs following the council’s recommendation for appointment.

Deadline

Nominations are now open. The deadline to nominate someone is March 31, 2025.

How to nominate someone

Gather all the required information.

Create an account (or sign in for returning users) on the Ontario Honours and Awards Portal.

For more information on required information for each nomination: https://www.ontario.ca/page/order-ontario

Submit nominations through the nomination portal: https://www.ohap.haacms.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/signin

From the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat