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.
There is no formal nomination process, and names under consideration are not made public as there are many worthy recipients each year. Residents can suggest deserving recipients through their Ward Councillor, or the Mayor’s Office. The recipients of the Key to the City are announced publicly after the decision has been made to award them the Key.
At this time, during COVID19 restrictions, no announcements of Key to the City recipients are being made. Names of suggested recipients can still be forwarded for consideration, with a ceremony and announcement to be held at a later date.
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.
Key to the City Recipients
Future recipients will be announced by the Mayor as they arise, and align with the criteria listed above.
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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. 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. |
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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. 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. |
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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. 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. |
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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. 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. |
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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. 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. |