2025 Citizen of the Year Award nominations now open

For immediate release (Jan. 27, 2026) – The City of Orillia is inviting residents to help celebrate the people who make our community stronger by submitting nominations for the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award. Nominations open on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Each year, the Citizen of the Year Award recognizes an individual whose volunteer efforts have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others and helped build a more caring, connected Orillia.

A panel of local residents, with the assistance of the City of Orillia, is accepting the nominations for the 2025 Citizen of the Year. The deadline for nominations is 12 p.m. (noon) on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Nominations must be submitted using the nomination form available online at orillia.ca, or from the Service Desk located in the Orillia City Centre (50 Andrew St. S.).

Submissions must include the full name and contact information for the nominator and the nominee, as well as a detailed explanation of why the nominee deserves to be named Citizen of the Year. The award is not open to groups or organizations.

Nominees must be residents of Orillia, the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, or the townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara or Severn, who have contributed to the betterment of Orillia. The decision will be based on the nominee's accomplishments as a volunteer in 2025. The 2025 Citizen of the Year Award will be presented by Mayor Don McIsaac at a regularly scheduled Council meeting in 2026.

The 2025 Citizen of the Year panel includes former winners Derick Lehmann, Cam Davidson, Marci Csumrik, and Stan Mathewson, as well as OrilliaMatters editor Dave Dawson, Pure Country 106 Morning Host Carey Moran, and Sharing Place Executive Director Chris Peacock.

###