Jack Young Civic Award

The Jack Young Civic Award is presented every few years to the person in Waterloo Region who best exemplifies the high standards of political and civic life exhibited by Jack A. Young, the first Chair of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, during his years of public service.  It is a uniquely Region of Waterloo Award that celebrates and recognizes the contributions of people directly connected to Regional government and its programs and services and/or Regionally created and/or administered organizations.

QUESTIONS?  Please email regionalclerk@regionofwaterloo.ca or call 519-575-4400. 

ELIGIBILITY & REGION OF WATERLOO INVOLVEMENT:

Those eligible for the Jack Young Civic Award include those who have been directly involved in or connected to Regional government in the Region of Waterloo through Regional Council, Committees, Advisory Committees, Regional administration, programs and/or services and/or Regionally created and/or administered organizations including Waterloo Regional Police Services, Waterloo Regional Police Services Board,   Waterloo Region Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation, and, Region of Waterloo Arts Fund.  This includes former elected officials, former staff members, former volunteers and/or former board members of these organizations.  Currently sitting Members of Council, current staff members, and currently serving volunteers and board members are not eligible for the Jack Young Civic Award.

I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE:

NOMINATOR INFORMATION:

SELECTION CRITERIA:

In evaluating nominations received for the Jack Young Civic Award, the Jack Young Civic Award Committee will consider the following:

1. The duration of the nominee’s involvement with the Region and the program area(s) in which they have been active.
2. The impact of the nominee’s contributions on the quality of life of citizens in Waterloo Region in general, and specifically on individuals receiving Regional services or participating in Regional programs and/or Regionally created and/or administered organizations.
3. The impact of the nominee’s contributions on the practices of Regional government and/or its programs or services and/or Regionally created and/or administered organizations.  Specifically the Committee will consider the following:

1. Has the nominee’s contribution been transformational?
2. Has it contributed to significant changes to the program(s) and/or service(s)?
3. Has the nominee contributed significantly to the development of a new program or service?
4. Has the nominee contributed to the development of best practices across the Region, across the Province, Nationally, Internationally and/or in a specific professional field?

Please Prepare A Letter Addressed To The Jack Young Civic Award Committee Describing How You Believe The Nominee Meets The Selection Criteria Noted Above.

NOMINATOR: Please complete the nomination form, letter and the following supporting materials:

• A brief biography (no more than one page) of the nominee; and
• Two (2) letters of reference in support of the nomination.

DEADLINE: The completed nomination form and the supporting materials should be uploaded, mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Regional Clerk no later than 11:59pm on May 18^th, 2026.

Region of Waterloo Clerk
2^nd Floor, 150 Frederick Street
Kitchener Ontario
N2G 4J3

Email: regionalclerk@regionofwaterloo.ca
Fax: 519-575-4481

PROCESS AND TIMING

Nominations will be reviewed and the Award recipient selected by the Jack Young Civic Award Committee which is comprised of the Regional Chair and four members of Regional Council. 

The award recipient and nominator will be notified by June 1, 2026.  Arrangements will be made for the recipient, their family and the nominator to attend the meeting of Regional Council on August 26, 2026 for the award presentation.  The recipient’s name will also be engraved on a commemorative plaque which will be displayed in the lobby of the Regional Headquarters Building at 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario.

All nominators will be notified of the final result once the recipient’s name has been made public.  Nominations of individuals not selected to receive the Jack Young Civic Award will remain active and carry forward to future Jack Young Civic Award selection cycles.