The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is accepting nominations for the Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards during this milestone year as the OHRC marks 65 years of advancing human rights in Ontario.
Every day, people across Ontario make important contributions to protect, promote, and advance human rights in the province. Most of these contributions go unacknowledged, but they make Ontario a better place that recognizes the dignity and worth of every person, where people can enjoy equal rights and opportunities without discrimination.
Award recipients will receive an engraved plaque and a profile feature on the OHRC website and social media channels.
Award Criteria
All awards and each nominee will be evaluated on the four criteria below:
- Promotion of human rights of individuals and communities
- Demonstration of ongoing initiative, leadership, dedication, and being a person of good character
- Innovation and creativity
- Engagement with community members to advance human rights
Nominee Eligibility
To be eligible for nomination:
- Nominees must be residents of Ontario
- For the Young Leaders award, all nominees must have been 30 years or younger as of December 31, 2025.
Self-nominations and posthumous nominations are not accepted.
Guidelines for Award Submissions
Written submissions are required to evaluate the nominations. Nominators must provide written support for their nomination, including specific examples of the nominee’s outstanding service and contributions.
Some considerations include:
- How the nominee’s actions had positive change/impact on human rights in Ontario
- How the nominee’s actions had a clear and significant impact on individuals, a group or community who seeks protection under the Human Rights Code
- How the nominee’s work and achievements exemplified innovation and creativity
- How the nominee’s actions empowered individuals, a group or community to assert their human rights
Each nomination must include the following:
- Name and email address of the person making the nomination.
- Contact information for the person being nominated.
- Consent from the person being nominated.
- Nomination statement (maximum 1500 words) addressing why the nominee should receive the award.
- Endorsement letters from 2 individuals
- Supporting materials, such as news articles can also be submitted.
Individuals may be nominated in more than one category, and any nominator could nominate candidates in multiple categories. Nominations may be submitted in either English or French.