Ontario Launches Award to Honour Exceptional Veterans

June 11, 2025

First-of-its-kind award recognizes veterans for outstanding community service

AURORA-OAK RIDGES-RICHMOND HILL — The Ontario government launched the new Ontario Veterans Award for Community Service Excellence (OVACSE). The award honours individuals for exceptional and ongoing service to their communities, such as work to help veterans re-integrate into civilian life, supporting those dealing with ongoing mental or physical injuries, or other broader community-building initiatives. 

“Premier Ford and our government are proud to launch the Ontario Veterans Award for Community Service Excellence, a historic program to honour the invaluable volunteer efforts of our veterans,” said Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. ” We can never fully repay those who have served our country, but this award will help strengthen our province by recognizing the legacy of our veterans and their contributions to building a stronger Ontario.”

The new initiative makes Ontario the first province in Canada to establish an award specifically dedicated to honouring veterans’ excellence in community service. Each year, Ontario branches of The Royal Canadian Legion will each nominate one veteran who has demonstrated significant and sustained contributions to their community through exceptional work. The nominating branches of Legions will present certificates and lapel pins to award recipients during local ceremonies in each year.

“Veterans across this province and here in Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill have served our country with courage and continue to serve our communities with dedication and heart,” said Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. “This award is our government’s way of honouring their extraordinary volunteerism and ensuring their legacy inspires a stronger, more united Ontario.”

Ontario is home to approximately 149,000 veterans and each year, approximately 9,000 Canadian Armed Forces members are released from military service.

QUICK FACTS

  • For more information on the nomination process and eligibility criteria, visit the Ontario Veterans Award for Community Service Excellence webpage.
  • All nominations must be submitted by the annual deadline of August 31.

QUOTES

“On behalf of True Patriot Love, I congratulate the Ontario government for the launch of this important initiative. We have seen the deep purpose that volunteerism gives veterans in their transition from military service, allowing them to continue to serve their country in meaningful ways. This award is a tremendous step forward in recognizing the value of that service.”

– Nick Booth
CEO, True Patriot Love

“We applaud the Government of Ontario for launching an award that not only honours veterans but also the work they continue doing to serve their communities by volunteering. Veterans have served to protect all that we value in Ontario, and this is the least we can do to recognize their contributions when they return. The Royal Canadian Legion Branches of Ontario Provincial Command are excited to be working with the government to ensure we recognize and celebrate the contributions of veterans from all corners of the province from Ottawa to Windsor to Timmins and everything in between.”

– Derek Moore
Provincial President, The Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Provincial Comm

“The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375 welcomes the latest Provincial Government initiative of the Veterans’ Community Service award. This follows on the heels of improvements to the Soldiers’ Aid Commission and the free travel for active military and veterans on Metrolinx. Those who have served this country and its citizens merit the support and acknowledgement of all of us.”

– Terri O’Connor, President, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375

“I truly believe our Veteran’s deserve our utmost respect. Not only did they serve our country they came home and continue to serve the community they live in. I think this is a fabulous initiative, I will definitely be recognizing a deserving veteran from my Branch, however it will be hard to pick just one.”

– Bonnie Robertson, President, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 385

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

MPP MEDIA CONTACTS

Office of Michael Parsa, MPP

Email: michael.parsaco@pc.ola.org Telephone: (905) 773-6250