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Deadline approaching for 2026 Order of Ontario nominations

March 26, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest civilian honour, awarded each year to an Ontarian who has shown the highest level of excellence and achievement in their field, and whose impact has left a legacy in the 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.

Nominations are still open for 2026, but the deadline is approaching at the end of March. 

You can nominate someone for achievements and excellence in any field. This includes business and technology, healthcare and medicine, education, engineering and architecture, skilled trades, mining, arts and culture, sports, and entertainment.

The list also includes law and social justice, media and journalism, social and community services, science and aerospace, literature and writing, and environment and conservation.

To nominate someone, the person must be a long-term or former resident of Ontario. The nominee does not have to be a Canadian citizen.

The nominee should be someone whose career, in any field, has had a major impact or influence on the province, Canada, and around the world.

The person must be living at the time of the nomination.

You cannot nominate yourself, someone who is deceased, an elected federal, provincial, or municipal politician currently in office, a sitting judge of any court, a legislative officer, a volunteer, or someone for acts of bravery.

To nominate someone, first gather all required information and create an account on the Ontario Honours and Awards Portal on the Province of Ontario website at https://www.ohap.haacms.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/signin

A nomination must include a brief summary of why you think the nominee is worthy of nomination and how long you have known them.

It should include a detailed description of the nominee, their achievements, and the impact those achievements have had on the province and beyond.

A minimum of two signed testimonial letters from two different people who are not the nominator must be included.

You may include additional material, such as supplementary testimonials, publications, media stories, and news articles.

An independent Advisory Council to the Order of Ontario will review and evaluate all nominations.

The deadline for Order of Ontario nominations is March 31 of each year. 

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