Nominations are accepted by the City Clerk in November of each year on behalf of a person or group who:
- Individually, or as a member of a group or team, achieved provincial or national championship status in an athletic or other competitive endeavour
- Individually, or as a member of a group or team, achieved a standard of excellence in a cultural or academic field
- Over a period of years has made an outstanding contribution to the community.
The Medal of Merit Committee is comprised of the Mayor acting as chair, and four other persons representing business or professional, the judiciary, labour, and a citizen-at-large.
Recipients are announced on December 31. A reception takes place at the Civic Centre to acknowledge recipients. Only chosen recipients are notified.
About the Medal
First presented in 1972, the Medal of Merit is an award given to a person or a group from Sault Ste. Marie in recognition of outstanding achievement or contribution to the community.
The sterling silver medal, circular in design, has the City coat of arms embossed on the face. The band encircling the coat of arms is inscribed “Medal of Merit, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario”. The ribbon with clasp is attached to the medal with a silver bar.
The three colours depicted in the ribbon, gold, blue and grey, are intended to project the image of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario as a flourishing and prosperous city. The gold band is symbolic of the Civic Centre, which is a landmark on the seaway, and the centre of local government in the area. The blue band represents the water or seaway upon the banks of which Sault Ste. Marie is situated and is the reason for its existence. The grey band represents industry, and in particular steel, which is our foundation and strength.
2020 - Current
2023
- Dr. Chelene Christine Hanes
- David Orazietti
2022
- Dr. Gary Sibbald
2021
- Barbara Nolan
2020
- The Honourable Ray Stortini
- Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre
2010 - 2019
2019
- Lieutenant Colonel (ret) Lance Knox
2018
- Steve Butland
2017
- Michael Burtch
2016
- Ella Jean Richter
2015
- Tony Martin
2014
- Aidan Bass
- Don Mitchell
- Chris Rous
- Sherri Smith
- Marcoux Brothers
- Team Jacobs
2013
- Dr. Gayle Broad
- John Carlson
- Sandra Houston
2012
- Jeff Giovanatti
- Victoria Jones
- Larry Whalen
2011
- Zaafina Naqvi
- Michael Sanzosti
- Guy and Susan Traficante
2010
- Tony Celli
- Northland Barbershop Chorus
2000 - 2009
2009
- Monsignor Bernard Burns
- Harry Houston
- The Comedics
2008
- Patti Gardi
- Dennis O’Reilly
- Celia Ross
- Don Watson
2007
- Sault Steelers Football Team
2006
- The Hollingsworth Family
- Diane Marshall
- Denis Turcotte
2005
- Marie Long and Elgin Long
- Dr. John Kenneth Mohamed
- St. Basil’s Saints Senior Girls’ Basketball Team
- Jean Wyatt
2004
- Stan Black
- Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception
- Dr. Louis B. Lukenda
- Catherine Shunock
- Dr. David Walde
2003
- Ken Lajambe
- Gerry McGuire
- St. Mary’s Knights Football Team 2002/03
2002
- Howard Tishman
- Kathleen Brosemer
- O.E. (Jack) Lay and Lucy Lay
2001
- Jennifer Fratesi
- Larry Guerriero
- Jack Purvis
2000
- Jessica Tuomela
- Sault Ste. Marie Wildcats Senior “A” Women’s Hockey Team
1990 - 1999
1999
- Kathy Contini
- Frank Gardi
- Ron Irwin
- Benjamin Smith
1998
- Dr. David Johnston
- Larry Knapp
- 49th (Sault Ste. Marie) Field Regiment, Canada, RCA
1997
- Grace Beith
- Rick Francis
- Frank Sarlo
- Sharon Selkirk
- Chief Shingwauk
1996
- Harvey Arcangeletti
- Thomas Gillespie
- Robert McEwen
- Jack Ostroski
1995
- Angelo Bumbacco
- Marguerite Griffith
- Doug Sykes
1994
- Ken Danby
- Murray Davis
- Mildred Pajuluoma
- Kevin Scott
1993
- John Bennett
- Jean Burke
- Joe Dore
- Forestry Canada – Forest Pest Management Institute Team
- Ted Nolan
1992
- Dr. Robert Korneluk
- Ned Ciaschini
- Rosemary O’Connor
1991
- Ron Francis
- Gerald Nori
- Don Ramsay
- Terry Shamess
- Alex Sinclair
1990
- Dr. Roberta Bondar
- Dr. Robert Ewing
- Dale Harten
- Nicholas J. Hirt
- Gary Buck
1980 - 1989
1989
- Paul Dalseg
- Judge James Greco
- Frederick H. Griffith
- Ross A. Mervyn
- Dr. George Shunock
1988
- Trixie Hardy
- James L. McIntyre
- Reg Shaughnessy
1987
- R.V.B. Burgoyne
- Peter Vaudry
- The CAT Scan Committee
1986
- Edison Danby
- Manny Hellstern
- Cardi Rinaldi
1985
- Jim Bonamico
- P. Edgar Buchan
- Arthur Jennings
- Blessed Sacrament Soup Kitchen
1984
- Dr. Charles Eaid
- Mike Zuke and June Zuke
- Royal Canadian Legion Drum and Trumpet Band – Branch 25
1983
- Arno Ambel
- John Marasco
1982
- Janet Short
- Perry Short
- Izetta Hobbs
- Fred B. Wilson
1981
- H.S. (Mac) McLellan
- Nora Ramsay
- LCdr (NL) Warren Pihlaja
1980
- Frank Elliott
- Paul Paolini
- Elsie Savoie
- Mary Wilson
1970 - 1979
1979
- Walter Lukenda
- Frank Nolan, Sr.
- Eric Alessandrini
1978
- Jane Angus
- Edith Bennett
- Harold Crowder
- Gillian Walshaw
1977
- Anthony C. Van Den Bosch
- Mauno Kaihla
- Russell Ramsay, Jr.
- Cy Thayer
1976
- Eleanor McCarthy
- Ed Gartshore and Katherine Gartshore
- Arthur Wishart
- Harry P. Waite
1975
- Marcelle Deslauriers
- Gordon Cunningham
- Harry Hamilton
- Malcolm Nicholson
- Earl Orchard
1974
- Harold Tolley
- John Ferris
- Thomas Tipton
- Ben Littner
1973
- George E. Nixon
- David S. Holbrook
- Archbishop W.L. Wright
- Sister Teresa Agatha
1972
- Phil Esposito
- Tony Esposito
- McFarlane Brier Rink
- Len Monico
- Gladys McNeice
- Harriet Black
- John Barker
- W.M. (Bill) Hogg
1970
- Bette Gaughan
- Karl Strom
- W.J.T. (Bill) Newman
1960 - 1969
- Sir James Dunn Choir
- Frank J. Davey