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Civic Recognition Program

Nominations are now open

Nominations for the 2025 Civic Awards of Recognition are now open. The deadline to submit a nomination is October 28, 2025. The ceremony will be held on November 18, 2025.

The Civic Recognition Program gives the Mayor and Members of Council an opportunity recognize the efforts and achievements of Mississauga residents and volunteers.

General eligibility requirements

To be eligible for an award or recognition, nominees must meet both the general eligibility requirements and the specific criteria for the award they are being nominated for.

Individuals

  • Lived in Mississauga at the time of their achievement(s)
  • Acted or worked to directly serve Mississauga and its residents
  • Received the majority of their education or training in their area of achievement(s) in Mississauga

Community group, organization and businesses

  • Community groups or organizations must be mainly comprised of and primarily serve Mississauga residents
  • Businesses must operate in Mississauga

Types of recognitions

There are four ways Mississauga residents can be recognized.

About the award

A Certificate of Recognition may be presented by the Mayor or a Member of Council at an event organized by the nominating group or person.

If there is no event, the certificate can be picked up at City Hall or mailed to the recipient.

Award-specific requirements

This award recognizes individuals, groups, teams, organizations and businesses that meet the nomination requirements.

Individuals

  • Have contributed to the wellbeing of the community through volunteer service for less than 10 years
  • Have achieved recognition by winning city-wide, regional or provincial championships and exhibitions or similar accolades at the same level
  • Be celebrating personal milestones:
    • Fiftieth wedding anniversaries and every five years after (55 years, 60 years)
    • Ninetieth birthdays and every five years after (95 years, 100 years)

Groups, teams and organizations

  • Voluntary, non-profit, community or cultural groups whose actions or achievements have had a local, regional or provincial impact
  • Groups or teams who win city-wide, regional or provincial championships or exhibitions or other significant recognition of a similar level

Businesses and organizations

  • Celebrating the official openings of a business or organization in Mississauga
  • Celebrating the tenth anniversary of operating in Mississauga and every 10 years after (20 years, 30 years)

About the award

Eligible individuals, community groups, organizations or businesses can be nominated for a Civic Award of Recognition. Nominations are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The City hosts an annual ceremony where the Mayor and/or Members of Council present the awards to recipients.

Nomination categories

Eligible recipients must belong to one of these nomination categories:

Voluntary Community Service

Individuals or groups that have improved the quality of life in Mississauga through volunteer efforts and who have volunteered in their communities.

Youth Community and Civic Engagement

Youth between the ages of 14 and 24 who have contributed more than 140 volunteer hours to community or civic activities.

Achievement in Sports

Athletes or teams that have won championships at a city-wide, regional, provincial, national or international level.

Achievements in Arts and/or Academia

Artists or groups that have won competitions, juried shows or exhibitions. Outstanding accomplishments in academic fields may also be recognized.

City Volunteer Program

Recognizes those nominated who have contributed several volunteer hours to community or civic activities through the City’s volunteer programs.

About the award

The Civic Award of Merit is one of the highest forms of recognition that an individual can receive from the City of Mississauga.

It is reserved for those whose accomplishments go beyond local or regional impact and reflect outstanding excellence or influence on a larger stage.

Who can nominate

Members of the public are not eligible to nominate possible award recipients.

Only the Mayor and City Council members can nominate someone for the Civic Award of Merit.

Award-specific requirements

This award recognizes individuals who have:

  • Achieved widespread recognition at the national or international level
  • Made a major impact in their field or community on a national or international scale
  • Reached the highest level of competition in their area of expertise (e.g. sports, arts, academics)
  • Attained legendary or iconic status in their profession, sport or field of endeavour

Previous recipients

The following individuals were awarded the Civic Award of Merit:

  • 1992: Silken Laumann
  • 2003: Oscar Peterson

About the award

Up to two Civic Philanthropy awards may be presented during the annual Civic Award of Recognition ceremony to individuals who’ve demonstrated an outstanding commitment and dedication to the city.

This award recognizes individuals who have:

  • Shown outstanding commitment and dedication to the City of Mississauga for at least 25 years
  • Voluntarily invested their passion, time, talents and financial support to improve the community
  • Made significant efforts to enhance the quality of life for Mississauga residents through philanthropic work
  • Demonstrated exceptional civic and charitable responsibility, embodying the true spirit of giving
  • Personally contributed to and supported local organizations and initiatives
  • Taken on leadership roles and inspired others to get involved and contribute to the community

Organizations are not eligible for the Civic Philanthropy Award.

Who can nominate

Members of the public are not eligible to nominate possible award recipients.

Only the Mayor and City Council members can nominate someone for the Civic Award of Merit.

How to submit a nomination

To nominate an individual or organization, email the following information to civicrecognition.program@mississauga.ca.

Make sure to include all required information. Submissions with missing details are considered incomplete and will be not reviewed.

Your information (nominator)

  • Your full name
  • Your email address
  • Your relationship to the nominee

Nominee information

  • Full name of the nominee
  • Phonetic spelling of full name (pronunciation)
  • Nominee’s mailing address
  • Nominee’s email address

Type of nomination

  • Type of award for your nomination
  • Nomination category for the Civic Award of Recognition

Reason for nomination

Description of the nominee’s achievement(s) or community service activities, including:

  • Number of years the nominee has been involved in the activities
  • Specific dates the nominee worked on related projects
  • A brief outline of the nominee’s responsibilities in each of the volunteer roles

Contact us

If you have any questions about the program, please contact civicrecognition.program@mississauga.ca.

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