16.1 Congratulatory Messages

Birthday and Anniversary Greetings

Family members or friends can obtain a birthday or wedding anniversary congratulatory message from Her Majesty The Queen, Governor General, Prime Minister, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Premier of Ontario, Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs).

Her Majesty The Queen

Since 1917 the Sovereign has sent greetings to Canadians for milestone birthdays marking 100, 105 or more years, and to couples celebrating 60, 65, 70, 75 or more years of marriage. Upon request, greetings are sent on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen from Rideau Hall, the Governor General's residence in Ottawa. To request a greeting from Her Majesty The Queen, provide a photocopy of a birth or wedding certificate and allow eight weeks notice to:
The Anniversary Section
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Dr.
Ottawa ON K1A 0A1

Phone: 613-993-2913/613-993-8164
Fax: 613-990-7636
E-mail: anniv@gg.ca
Website: www.gg.ca

The Governor General of Canada

The Governor General sends greetings upon request to Canadians who are 90 years of age or older (5-year intervals) and to couples who have been married for 50 years or more
(5-year intervals). To request a greeting, provide a photocopy of a birth or wedding certificate and  allow eight weeks notice to:
The Anniversary Section
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Dr.
Ottawa ON K1A 0A1

Phone: 613-993-2913/613-993-8164
Fax: 613-990-7636
E-mail: anniv@gg.ca
Website: www.gg.ca

The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

The Lieutenant Governor sends greetings upon request to Ontarians celebrating birthdays of 90 years or more. Greetings are also sent on request to couples celebrating wedding anniversaries of 50 years or more. Send your request to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario with six weeks notice to:
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Queen's Park
Toronto ON M7A 1A1

Phone: 416-325-7780
Fax: 416-325-7787
E-mail: ltgov@ontario.ca
Website: www.Lt.gov.on.ca

The Prime Minister of Canada

The Prime Minister of Canada sends greetings upon request to Canadians celebrating birthdays of 65 and 70 years, or annually after their 75th birthday. Couples marking wedding anniversaries of 25 years or more may receive greetings at 5-year intervals, or annually after their 50th anniversary. To obtain a greeting from the Prime Minister, allow three weeks notice and contact:
Co-ordinator
Congratulatory Message
Room 105, Langevin Block
Ottawa ON K1A 0A2

Phone: 613-941-6880
Fax: 613-941-6901
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
Website: www.pm.gc.ca

The Premier of Ontario

The Premier sends greetings upon request to Ontarians celebrating birthdays of 80 years or more (5-year intervals) and to couples marking wedding anniversaries of 40 years or more (5-year intervals). To obtain a message from the Premier, allow six weeks notice and contact:
Premier's Correspondence Unit
Room 4620, Whitney Block
99 Wellesley St. W.
Toronto ON M7A 1A1

Phone: 416-325-3777
Fax: 416-325-3745
Website: www.premier.gov.on.ca

Member of Provincial Parliament and Member of Parliament

The MPP and MP of your community sends greetings upon request for a variety of occasions. To obtain a message from your local MPP or MP contact his/her community office, listed in the White Pages of your telephone book. To find out who your MPP is, contact Elections Ontario:
Toll-free: 1-800-677-8683
Website: www.electionsontario.on.ca
To find out who your MP is, contact Elections Canada:
Toll-free: 1-800-463-6868
Website: www.elections.ca

16.2 Honours and Awards

The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, through the Ontario Honours and Awards office, organizes a series of annual awards programs to recognize outstanding professional and volunteer contributions to Ontario. These awards promote responsible citizenship by publicly saluting those who have made exceptional contributions to the common good. Special commemorative functions are also organized to celebrate the participation of all Ontarians in the life of the province.

For more information on any of the award programs described below or to find out how to nominate someone for an award, contact:
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Ontario Honours and Awards
400 University Ave., 4th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 2R9

Phone: 416-314-7526
E-mail: OntarioHonoursAndAwards@ontario.ca
Website: www.culture.gov.on.ca

The Order of Ontario

The Order of Ontario is the province's most prestigious official honour. The award was created in 1986 by the Government of Ontario to recognize the highest level of individual excellence and achievement in any field. The men and women invested in the Order are representative of the best of Ontario's caring and diverse society and stand as shining examples for us all. Their lives have benefited society in Ontario or elsewhere.

Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship

In 1973, the Government of Ontario established the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship to recognize people who, through exceptional long-term efforts, have made outstanding contributions to the well-being of their communities. Their assistance is given without expectation of remuneration or reward.

Ontario Volunteer Service Awards

The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards are a way for the government to recognize volunteers for their valuable contributions. The awards are also a way to thank volunteers for their continuous years of commitment and their dedicated service to a group. Adults are recognized for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 50 years of continuous service.

Outstanding Achievement Awards for Voluntarism in Ontario

The personal commitment made by volunteers all across Ontario is significant. Among the thousands of volunteers in Ontario are those who make exceptional contributions. The Outstanding Achievement Awards for Voluntarism in Ontario recognize extraordinary leadership, innovation and creativity. Each year, 20 awards are given to a select group of individuals, organizations and businesses that have made superlative contributions to their communities and the province through voluntary action.

Senior Achievement Award

The Ontario Senior Achievement Award is presented to 20 individuals annually. The purpose of the award is to recognize and honour outstanding seniors who, after age 65, have made significant contributions to their communities. The outstanding voluntary or professional achievement may have been made in any field of endeavour.

Senior of the Year Award

The Senior of the Year Award was established in 1994 to give each municipality in the province the opportunity to honour one outstanding senior in their community. The recipient is someone who, after age 65, has enriched the social, cultural or civic life of the community — without thought of personal or financial gain. Only municipalities, not the general public, can act as nominators for this award.

16.3 Annual Special Events

Seniors’ Month

June is Seniors’ Month in Ontario. Ontario has celebrated Seniors' Month every June for more than 20 years. It is a time to acknowledge seniors for their contributions. The Ontario government recognizes the contributions seniors continue to make within families, communities, the province and the nation.

Government programs and services for seniors reflect this respect and recognition for Ontario's older adults and range from health care initiatives and safety and security programs to sports and recreation opportunities.

Each year, on behalf of the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat works with seniors’ organizations and community groups across the province to co-ordinate Seniors’ Month events and celebrations.

To learn about Seniors’ Month activities in your community, visit the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat online at www.ontarioseniors.ca and browse through the Calendar of Events, or check with seniors’ organizations and community groups in your area.

If you organization is planning a special seniors’ event for June, let the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat (OSS) know by calling the Senior INFOline:
Toll-free: 1-888-910-1999
TTY Toll-free: 1-800-387-5559

International Day of Older Persons

The General Assembly of the United Nations designated October 1 as International Day of Older Persons. This day was observed for the first time throughout the world on October 1, 1991.

By designating a special day for seniors, the Assembly is recognizing the significant contributions of seniors around the world and also drawing attention to a demographic phenomenon: the rapid aging of our population.

Each year in recognition of the International Day of Older Persons, the Ontario Minister Responsible for Seniors delivers a statement to the Legislature to mark this special event. In 1998, the International Day of Older Persons marked the Government of Ontario’s launch of its International Year of Older Persons (1999) activities.