Launched by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward in 2019, the Key to the City program at the City of Burlington honours individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to our community.
Following in the footsteps of many other cities, Burlington feels the need to recognize the people whose hard work, talent, efforts and passion make our city a better place to live.
Whether it be through sport, philanthropy, business, arts & culture, volunteering, advocacy or leadership, the recipients of a Key to the City will have created a unique and meaningful legacy that will positively impact our community for years to come. Keys may also be given to visiting dignitaries or in recognition of our twin city relationships.
The Key to the City was designed and created by Burlington resident, fine art stained glass artist, Teresa Seaton. Her uniquely sculptural work incorporates elements of Burlington’s natural landscape, City crest, and the clock that sits in front of City hall.
2026 Key to the City Recipients
Future recipients will be announced by the Mayor as they arise, and align with the criteria listed above.
Resident nominations for Key to the City recipients in 2026 are now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination.
Dr. Frank J. Hayden - April 2026
Dr. Frank J. Hayden is the founder of Special Olympics Burlington and a long-term resident of Burlington.
Dr. Hayden was instrumental in promoting athleticism, fitness, and sports for people with disabilities in North America, helping to establish the first Special Olympics in Chicago in 1968. Special Olympics is now a global movement for more than 3 million athletes with disabilities in over 170 countries.
Special Olympics Burlington was established in the 1990s and currently serves over 250 athletes. Special Olympians in Burlington regularly compete in Provincial and National championships, winning medals at every level, as well as internationally at the World Games.
For these ongoing, positive contributions to our Burlington community, Mayor Meed Ward would like to recognize Darlene Halchuk and Denise Nacev, Community Coordinators for Special Olympics Burlington.
Dennis & Lisa Scott - April 2026
Dennis & Lisa Scott’s work through the Halton Black History Awareness Society (HBHAS) has had a profound impact on Burlington and the wider Halton region.
Through cultural education, anti-racism initiatives, public programming, and community collaboration, HBHAS illuminates Black Canadian history, strengthens intercultural understanding, and helps builds a more inclusive Burlington. Dennis and Lisa organize annual Emancipation Day and Emancipation Month celebrations in Burlington, and were instrumental in having Burlington be the first municipality in the world to officially designate August as Emancipation Month.
Through HBHAS programs such as Cultural Dynamics Leadership Training and the Halton Community Safety and Well Being collaborations, they contribute to ongoing conversations about equity, diversity, and public trust across the region, improving the lives of diverse residents living in Burlington today.
Ron MacVinnie - April 2026
Ron MacVinnie’s contributions to Burlington are both extensive and inspiring. Ron’s 60+ years of volunteer service reflect an extraordinary commitment to community-building.
His decades of leadership include: 27 years at the Ron Edwards YMCA as Chair and fitness instructor; 25 years with the Lakeshore Football Association, including 10 as President; 20 years with the Rotary Club, where he ran the Athletic Scholarship Program; and 16 years as a founding and executive member of the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame.
He also coached a wide variety of Burlington teams, including the Women’s Basketball League, Minor Football, Minor Hockey, and High School Girls Volleyball.
These wide-ranging contributions have shaped countless lives and strengthened Burlington’s athletic, recreational, and civic landscape.
Elise Naccarato - April 2026
Elise Naccarato is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Myriad Ensemble, a Burlington-based upper-voice choir with over 75 singers.
Myriad Ensemble is now one of Canada’s most dynamic choral organizations, known for creative programming, immersive performances, and elevating women’s voices in the arts. Elise’s vision and leadership helped Myriad Ensemble place in the top ten recently at the World Choir Festival.
Beyond Myriad, Elise has contributed to Burlington and the broader region through roles such as Managing Director of Chorus Niagara, Conductor of the Hamilton Estonian Choir, which she led to represent Canada at the Estonian Song Festival, and as a board member with Choirs Ontario.
Past Key to the City Recipients
Victoria Mboko – November 2025 |
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Victoria reached a career-high singles ranking, making her Canada’s No. 1 female singles player. She has risen rapidly through the tennis world, making national and international headlines, representing Canada, and Burlington, with true grit, determination, and pure talent. |
Sarah Harmer – April 2025 |
Born and raised in Burlington’s Ward 3, Sarah Harmer is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and a dedicated environmental advocate. With three JUNO awards, including the JUNO Humanitarian Award, eight nominations, and two Polaris Prize shortlist recognitions, Sarah has used her platform to drive meaningful change. She co-founded Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL) to safeguard Mount Nemo Plateau, part of a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Her tireless work continues to preserve Burlington’s natural beauty and biodiversity. |
Chris McKhool - April 2025 |
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He is a four-time JUNO nominee, seven-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner, and two-time Cannes World Film Festival Award-winning director for The Refuge Project and Walking Through the Fire. Chris’s creative work, especially with his group Sultans of String, champions diversity and inclusion, positioning Burlington as a hub of cultural expression and connection. |
Beverley Jacobs - April 2025 |
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Beverley has also supported local health initiatives through her 25-year dedication to the CIBC Run for the Cure and 10 years with the Bright Run. Her lifelong service embodies the spirit of community. |
Dan Lawrie - June 2024 |
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Dan has made significant contributions to the local business and arts communities. He is the founder and chair of the Lawrie Insurance Group that has operated in Burlington and Hamilton for more than 40 years. He is also on the board of the Art Gallery of Burlington; a supporter of the annual Telling Tales Festival at the RBG; authored his first children’s book in 2023 – Herman’s High-Flying Adventure: A Seagull’s Tale, based on an old poem he had written; and been a big fundraiser for the community over the years, including the Burlington Museums Foundation. |
Spoons - June 2024 |
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Vocalist/guitarist Gordon Deppe and vocalist/bassist Sandy Horne founded Spoons in 1979, while the pair attended Aldershot High School. They would add keyboardist Rob Preuss and drummer Derrick Ross to release their first album Stick Figure Neighbourhood in 1981 based on life growing up in Burlington. But it was their album Arias and Symphonies, released in 1982, that would launch them on a series of national and international tours, record deals and album releases. Over the years, their membership would change and include Chris McNeill, Scott MacDonald, Brett Wickens, Peter Shepherd, Steve Kendry, Casey MQ, Steve Sweeney and Colin Cripps. Never forgetting their roots, the Spoons have returned to perform in Burlington, including at our popular Sound of Music Festival and a charity concert in 2015 to help fundraise for the new Aldershot High School theatre. Most recently, they also took the stage at Burlington’s 2023 Canada Day celebrations, even inviting Mayor Marianne Meed Ward to come onstage and sing with them. |
Beverly Kingdon - July 2023 |
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Trumpeter swans were nearly hunted out of existence in Ontario by the late 1800s and re-introduced into the province in the 1980s. Beverly has said she initially became involved in this volunteer work because of her love of swans, and it gave her an opportunity to give something back to the Burlington community. Thankfully, our community has seen the return of the Trumpeter swan population to LaSalle Park – where they winter and thrive. Of note, in 2022, Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington announced the Trumpeter swan was selected by popular demand as Burlington’s unofficial city bird. Beverly’s efforts have ensured our city’s unofficial bird has a haven in Burlington for generations to come. |
City of Apeldoorn, The Netherlands - May 2023 |
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The presentation was made during a trip by an Official Apeldoorn Delegation to the City of Burlington in May 2023. As part of the dual exchanges that occur in the twinning relationship, both cities send reciprocal official delegations to each other every five years as a way of fostering world peace and global understanding. The City of Burlington has a special connection with Apeldoorn – The Royal Canadian Regiment took part in the liberation of Apeldoorn in April 1945 during the Second World War. Now, Apeldoorn is one of The Netherlands’ most progressive cities in terms of sustainable and responsible development. Apeldoorn’s commitment to sustainability, its similar size to Burlington and its strong historic connections with Burlington’s veterans make it an ideal twinning partner. |
Burlington Teen Tour Band - July 2022 |
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Their first performance was on Dec. 15, 1947 and they were known as the Burlington Boys and Girls Band. Since then, the band has had many major achievements, many 'firsts', prestigious awards and successful tours around the world where they have mesmerized their audiences. Over the past 75 years, BTTB has grown to become Canada’s oldest and largest youth marching band — competing in internationally-scaled competitions and returning as champions and first-prize winners. They have represented Burlington while performing in five provinces across the country and represented Canada on the world stage, performing for Heads of State and Royalty (as well as on TV and in movies) in eight countries — such as Itabashi, Japan to mark the 20th and 30th anniversaries of the twin-city relationship between Burlington and Itabashi. BTTB is the first foreign band to have been allowed to perform underneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. They are also very popular in the U.S. having performed in 23 states for many events and ceremonies, such as the Rose Bowl Parade, the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbour attack, and the Orange Bowl Parade. Each band member is strongly encouraged to give their best effort along with appreciating and supporting the efforts of all others engaged in activities with the band. BTTB's philosophy emphasizes the importance of cooperation, discipline, sportsmanship, friendship, and an eagerness to learn. |
Renata Fast - March 2022 |
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Before this, she played for the Burlington Barracudas at various levels from 2003-12 where she was named Female Athlete of the Year in the Burlington Junior programs from 2006-11; won a gold medal with the team at the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association provincials (Peewee AA) in 2007; and took home the 2012 Junior Women’s Hockey League Challenge Cup with the Intermediate AA Barracudas. Her hockey career then took her to the Toronto Furies from 2016-2019 and the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association in 2019 where she advocated for better standards in women’s pro hockey and played for Toronto in the 2020 and 2021 Dream Gap Tours. She was also part of Team Canada during the women’s showcases at the 2019 and 2020 NHL All-Star Games. At the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games, Renata scored her first Olympic goal during Canada’s semi-final win against Switzerland that helped advance Team Canada to the gold-medal game and their win against the U.S. |
Emma Maltais - March 2022 |
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Before that, she played for the Burlington Barracudas and Oakville Hornets where she added Ontario Women’s Hockey Association provincials gold and silver; and Provincial Women’s Hockey League championship bronze to her medal hardware. She is Oakville’s all-time leading scorer with 56 goals and 150 points in 105 games. Emma is a two-time Patty Kazmaier Award finalist (in 2020 and 2021) and the 2018 Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year. At the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games, Emma scored her first Olympic goal during Canada’s semi-final win against Switzerland that helped advance Team Canada to the gold-medal game and their win against the U.S. |
Jean Longfield - October 2021 |
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Founded in 2005, and the brainchild of Jean herself, The Gift of Giving Back is a program that inspires, supports, educates and empowers the children of our community to give back to the communities they love and are privileged to live in through local minor athletics associations and school systems. Community events and food drives are held throughout the year in multiple communities across the entire Greater Golden Horseshoe Area, benefiting local partnered agencies like food banks who help those in need. Their mission is to demonstrate the lasting, positive impact we can all have through the power of giving back. As the largest community food drive of its kind in Canada, their efforts have resulted in more than 4.6 million pounds of food collected and donated since inception — and that has had a direct community benefit of more than $1.8 million. |
Lisa Lunski - October 2021 |
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Her work through Wellington Square Church is not where her impact ends. Lisa has been a member of our Burlington COVID-19 Task Force throughout the pandemic, contributing ideas and solutions to this group of local leaders to ensure we are aligned in our efforts to help our community through this challenging time. Lisa also uses her extensive network of social support superstars to advocate for affordable housing, food security and positive social change. Her contributions to our community have also been recognized by the Women of Distinction Pandemic Innovator award she received earlier this year from the YWCA — and deservedly so. |
Kendall Cooper - December 2020 |
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Kendall is not only the first young person to receive Burlington’s Key to the City, she is also the first woman to do so since this program began in early 2019. |
Ian Elliott - December 2020 |
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Ian's dedication to promoting emerging authors and engendering a love of literature in people of all ages from our community is truly remarkable. Countless community events, thoughtful reading recommendations, and quiet charitable contributions are just one of many reasons this business has survived five decades and enjoys a dedicated fanbase of loyal customers. |
Gordon Schottlander - January 2020 |
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He later came to Canada with his wife Colleen, building a big and wonderful family here that now includes four sons, 16 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He continued his contributions to community once arriving in Burlington. His many accomplishments include President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Burlington Planning Board, serving with the Knights of Columbus for many years, Chairman of the committee that raised over $1M for the local YMCA, and being named Burlington’s Citizen of the Year in 1968. He continues to make Burlington his home, living in the downtown core. While celebrating his 95th birthday in January of this year, he was presented with a proclamation and Key to the City for his meaningful and lasting contributions. |
City of Itabashi, Japan - October 2019 |
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The presentation was made during a trip by an Official Burlington Delegation to Itabashi. As part of the dual exchanges that occur in the twinning relationship, both cities send reciprocal official delegations to each other every five years as a way of fostering world peace and global understanding. |
Mike 'Beard Guy' Taylor (Posthumously) - January 2019 |
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Mike passed away in December 2018. It was a devastating loss for his family, bandmates, fans and our city. Mike made Burlington his home and we thank him for his contribution to music both locally and around the world. Mike and WOTE helped put Burlington on the map and he will be truly missed. Acting as a musical ambassador, Mike not only advanced Burlington’s local culture across the country with his band, but right here in our own community. |
At just 18 years old, Victoria Mboko captured her first WTA Tour title at the 2025 National Bank Open—defeating former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka in the final. On her way to that title, she defeated four former Grand-Slam champions—a historic feat for a Canadian woman.
An internationally renowned musician and filmmaker, Chris McKhool has been a vibrant force in Burlington’s arts and culture scene.
For 25 years, Beverley Jacobs has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to volunteerism in Burlington. She spent 23 years offering comfort and care at Carpenter Hospice, and has been instrumental in preserving Burlington’s heritage through her 15-year involvement with the Friends of Freeman Station.
Burlington’s Dan Lawrie is the mind behind the International Sculpture Collection at the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) that added works of internationally-renowned artists to Hendrie Park. He is also the mind behind the Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail, now in its third season, that brings works of Canadian artists and stages them in the downtown core and with the backdrop of our waterfront in a free and accessible way for the community to enjoy.
With their origins in Burlington, the Spoons helped put Canada on the music world map garnering international attention with their unique progressive rock sound in the early 1980s and with their ground-breaking hits Nova Heart (one of the first music videos airing on the first episode of MuchMusic) and Romantic Traffic.
Beverly Kingdon has been a volunteer in conservation work for more than 40 years, and a driving force behind the creation of the Trumpeter Swan Restoration Group.
In May 2023, in recognition of the 18th anniversary of the twinning agreement between the cities of Burlington and Apeldoorn, The Netherlands, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward presented Apeldoorn Mayor Ton Heerts and the City of Apeldoorn, The Netherlands with Burlington’s Key to the City.
The Burlington Teen Tour Band (BTTB), our city’s global musical ambassadors, marks its 75th anniversary in 2022.
Renata Fast first wore the maple leaf as a member of the National Women’s Development Team in 2014. She won gold with the U22 team at the 2015 Nations Cup before joining the National Women’s Team at the 2015 Four Nations Cup where she won a silver medal. Following a second straight silver win at the Four Nations Cup in 2016, she made her International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s World debut in 2017 and helped Canada gain the silver medal. She also contributed to Canada’s silver medal in her Olympics debut at the PyeongChang Winter Games in 2018.
Emma Maltais first joined the Canadian national program in 2015 with the U18 team where she competed in the 2016 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship and tied for team lead with six points in five games, helping to earn Canada a silver medal — repeating a silver finish in 2017.
Jean is so well known in our city for her tireless efforts creating and leading The Gift of Giving Back. She’s also just as well known for her beaming smile and unlimited positive energy.
Lisa is a champion for our community who truly lives the “nobody left behind” philosophy in her words and actions. Her work over the past decade in building the Friday Night Community meal bag program at Wellington Square United Church positioned that program to be a vital support when we were faced with an unexpected global pandemic.
Kendall Cooper is a multiple medal-winning hockey player from the Aldershot community who, last year, received the Aldershot Honour Roll’s youth award and at age 16 was part of the gold medal winning team in Japan in Women’s Under 18 Hockey where she assisted in the gold-medal winning goal, and since then became Captain of the team for 2020 and won the silver medal as captain.
Ian Elliott is the heart and soul behind our beloved local independent bookstore, A Different Drummer Books. Having worked there since 1990, Ian is now owner and helming this unique bookshop through it's 50th year here in Burlington. With the many additional challenges businesses have faced throughout COVID-19, the continued success of a small local business is all the more meaningful.
Mr. Gordon Schottlander was born in England in 1925. On June 6th, 1944, as a commissioned officer, he landed on Juno Beach and fought bravely alongside Canadian soldiers as part of the D-Day invasion that would lead to the successful end of World War II.
In October 2019, in recognition of the 30th anniversary of twinning agreement between the cities of Burlington and Itabashi, Japan, Mayor Meed Ward presented Itabashi Mayor Takeshi Sakamoto and the City of Itabashi with Burlington’s Key to the City.
In January 2019, Mayor Meed Ward announced the launch of a new Key to the City program for the City of Burlington to honour individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the community. The recipient of the inaugural Key was announced to be, posthumously, Mike Taylor of Walk Off the Earth (WOTE) for the impact he made on Burlington’s arts and culture scene with his talent, music and community involvement.