2011 Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award recipients announced

TORONTO, February 17, 2012 /Canada NewsWire/ - As part of the province's Heritage Week celebrations, the 2011 Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Awards will be presented for outstanding contributions to the identification, preservation, protection and promotion of Ontario's heritage.

"Conserving our heritage is an integral part of preserving the quality of life we enjoy here in Ontario," said the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. "I'm delighted to recognize these volunteers and communities for their outstanding achievements."

The 2011 Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Awards recognize the following achievements:

...15 individuals will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteer contributions to conserving community heritage over a period of 25 years or more

...One individual and one group will receive the Youth Achievement Award for exceptional voluntary contributions by young people to heritage conservation. The individual honouree will also receive a $2,000 post-secondary scholarship, jointly funded by the Ontario Heritage Trust and Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life - sponsors of the Trust's Young Heritage Leaders program.

...One young person will receive the 2011 Black Heritage and Culture award and scholarship in celebration of the International Year for People of African Descent. The $2,000 post-secondary scholarship is being awarded as part of the Ontario Heritage Trust's commemorative activities for the International Year in 2011, with funding from the Government of Ontario.

...Four communities will receive the Community Leadership Award for exemplary leadership in heritage conservation and promotion.

"I am inspired by the exceptional volunteers and communities receiving these awards," said Dr. Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. "Their work to protect and promote heritage represents an invaluable contribution to the province and to their fellow Ontarians."

The City of Brampton, Township of Lake of Bays, the Township of Scugog and the Region of Waterloo will be receiving the Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Community Leadership.

"We are honoured that the City of Brampton has been selected to receive the Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Community Leadership," said Susan Fennell, Mayor of Brampton. "We remain strongly committed to preserving our heritage, and this award recognizes the City of Brampton's efforts to keep this rich history alive."

"It gives me great pleasure and I am honoured to receive this award on behalf of the Township of Lake of Bays," said Robert Young, Mayor of Lake of Bays. It acknowledges the hard work and perseverance of the many volunteers on our heritage programs and the commitment of the Township and its constituents to the preservation of its heritage. Heritage is irreplaceable."

"Scugog is proud to be recognized with this award," said Chuck Mercier, Mayor of Scugog. "Our community is well known for respecting our heritage, as we actively preserve our diverse history through events, celebrations and education. This has made Scugog one of the most desirable communities to live in and visit - a place where creativity and innovation prepare us for a prosperous future."

"The Region of Waterloo is honoured to receive the Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Community Leadership," said Ken Seiling, Waterloo Regional Chair. "The Region has had a long involvement and commitment to heritage conservation and promotion and we are dedicated to being good stewards of the Region's heritage resources and promoting the same in the broader community."

The Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Awards are administered by the Ontario Heritage Trust, an agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.

Quick Facts:

...The Lieutenant Governor will present the awards at a Queen's Park ceremony on February 24, 2012, in the presence of the Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust.

...Nominations for the awards are submitted annually by municipal and regional councils, First Nation band councils, Métis community councils and schools from across the province to recognize local contributions to heritage conservation.

For additional information on the Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Awards, including how to submit nominations, visit www.heritagetrust.on.ca or www.lt.gov.on.ca.