Nominations open for the 2021 Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards

The City of Toronto is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards. Established in 1991, the awards serve as the City’s highest honour to recognize people and programs that have made a difference in Toronto by eliminating discrimination and barriers to equality. Toronto residents may submit nominations from June 10 to July 30, 2021.

The Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards are community-driven, with nominations submitted by the public. Winners are selected by a panel of community members with relevant expertise and knowledge of the subject for each category of award. Recipients will be announced later this year and honoured in a virtual ceremony on December 10, 2021, which coincides with International Human Rights Day.

The five award categories are:

• Mino Bimaadiziwin Award (Indigenous Award): For those whose volunteer efforts have improved the well-being and advancement of the Indigenous community.

• Disability Access Award: Given to a person, group or organization that has made a significant contribution towards improving access for people with disabilities.
• Constance E. Hamilton Award for Women’s Equality: Named for the first female member of Toronto City Council, the award recognizes a resident whose actions have helped secure equitable treatment for women and gender non-conforming people in Toronto, either socially, economically or culturally.
• William P. Hubbard Race Relations Award: It is awarded to a resident or organization that has made a significant contribution to challenge racism and support a more harmonious city.
• Pride Award: Honours a person, group or non-profit organization that has made a significant or ongoing contribution to the well-being, advancement and inclusion of 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Toronto.

For more information, to submit a nomination and view the application form, please visit the Awards & Tributes page.

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“The Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards is one of the many ways the City of Toronto champions diversity, access, equity and inclusion for all Toronto residents. I encourage Toronto residents to look to their communities for those who are making a difference and honour their important work by nominating them for an award.”

– Mayor John Tory

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.