The Ontario government has opened nominations for the Rural Ontario Inspiration Awards, an annual program recognizing the people, businesses, organizations and communities helping to drive economic growth, create opportunity and strengthen rural Ontario.
“In rural communities across the province, people are making a difference every day by stepping up, creating opportunities and helping to build a stronger rural Ontario,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. “The response to last year’s Rural Ontario Inspiration Awards showed us how important it is to recognize and honour those contributions, and we’re proud to continue that celebration in 2027.”
The awards will recognize outstanding achievements across eight categories: Rural Inspiration, Rural Community, Rural Entrepreneur, Rural Youth Leader, Rural Economic Innovation, Rural Partnerships, Rural Champion and Rural Heart. Nominations will be accepted until Oct. 23, and residents can learn more and submit a nomination online.
“Rural Ontario is a driving force behind our province’s economy, and its success is built on the hard work of local leaders, businesses and communities that create jobs, attract investment and build opportunity,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Through the Rural Ontario Inspiration Awards, our government is proud to recognize the people and organizations who work tirelessly to strengthen their communities, grow local economies and ensure rural Ontario continues to prosper for generations to come.”
The awards support the three pillars of Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy, recognizing contributions to safe and strong rural communities, business development and attraction, and a growing rural workforce.
Following a unanimous vote by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on March 31, 2026, Rural Ontario Week was established as an annual provincial observance during the third full week of September, making Ontario the first province in Canada to formally recognize an annual week celebrating the contributions of rural communities.
