Nominations Are Now Open for the 16th Annual Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards, Presented by Western Union

Bringing people and communities together by celebrating diverse stories

TORONTO, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– With 1.5 million immigrants slated to arrive in Canada over the next three years, it’s never been more important to be welcoming and supportive as they build their new lives in Canada. Whether they are skilled professionals looking to further their careers, or refugees looking for a safe home, we at Canadian Immigrant are proud that all of these newcomers will be able to look at 15 years of Top 25 Canadian Immigrant award winners’ stories for inspiration and motivation.

Now in the 16th year of the first and only national awards program celebrating immigrant success, Canadian Immigrant, with the support of presenting sponsor Western Union, is pleased to open the call for nominations for the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards of 2024. This year’s program is also supported by COSTI Immigrant Services and Windmill Microlending.

Shining a light on people from various backgrounds who have made Canada their home and now ardently contribute to the country’s economy, innovation, arts and communities, is an important way of bringing people and communities together, despite differences. The Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards is the leader in sharing inspiring stories of immigrants that recognize their contributions to their adopted country, while serving as role models for other newcomers that follow.

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized among the top immigrants in Canada? Canadian Immigrant and Western Union are now calling on Canadians to nominate an immigrant or refugee who has an inspirational success story to share at canadianimmigrant.ca/top25.

Immigrants who have been honoured with this prestigious national award in past years include actor Mena Massoud, of Aladdin movie fame, Toronto Argonauts’ Hénoc Muamba, Chief Statistician of Canada Anil Arora, prima ballerina Chan Hon Goh, as well as many unsung heroes who have demonstrated incredible contributions in their communities and for the country.

“There seems to be no limit to the number of immigrants who have inspiring stories to share. Even after more than 15 years of the Top 25 awards, we at Canadian Immigrant, are always so pleased to see the number and calibre of nominations we receive. The nominations all seem to have a common thread — these immigrants are proud Canadians who want to work hard, succeed and make a positive impact on their communities with their ideas and efforts,” said Sanjay Agnihotri, Publisher of Canadian Immigrant, a national multimedia platform and producer of the awards. “We can’t wait to see who is nominated this year!”

“Western Union’s mission throughout our long history as a company is one of being purpose-driven, connecting people and communities through financial inclusion, while placing the customer at the center of everything we do,” said Ari Hagnas, Vice President, Western Union North America. “The close connection between our Canadian customers and their families living abroad together with the role our services play in helping create better lives are inextricably linked. As sponsor of these prestigious awards, we celebrate the contributions made by those that call Canada their new home and support them in their journey toward prosperity.”

Eligibility Criteria

A nominee can be anyone who has immigrated to Canada and has since contributed to the success and uplifting of this country and/or its people. Achievements can be either professional or personal. Nominees must be aged 15 or older, hold landed immigrant (permanent resident) or citizen status in Canada, and reside in Canada.

Nomination Process

Nominations can be made at canadianimmigrant.ca/top25 until March 9, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EST. A distinguished panel of judges made up of past winners will review all nominees and present a list of 75 finalists who will be announced in April, after which all Canadians can vote for their favourite nominees. The 25 winners will be announced in August 2024 in Canadian Immigrant and online at CanadianImmigrant.ca.

Entrepreneur Award

This will be the 10th consecutive year that one of the Top 25 winners will also be selected for the additional Entrepreneur Award, honouring one of the Top 25 who has demonstrated entrepreneurial excellence in business. No additional application is required to apply for this award.

Youth Award

For the eighth consecutive year, one of the Top 25 will be awarded the additional Youth Award, which recognizes young immigrants between the ages of 15 and 30 who are making a difference through achievement and/or service, and who exhibit great potential as long-term contributors to Canada. No additional application is required to apply for this award.

Windmill Microlending Empowerment Award

Launched last year in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Top 25 awards, the Windmill Microlending Empowerment Award recognizes individuals, born in or outside Canada, who are working above and beyond to empower and support the successful journeys of immigrants and refugees to Canada. The nomination form for this special award will be launched in a few months.

About Canadian Immigrant

Attracting more than 400,000 readers each month and over 100,000 visitors a month online, Canadian Immigrant is a national multimedia platform to help immigrants succeed in Canada, with content, resources and events on careers, education and settlement. Canadian Immigrant is the producer of the cross-country Canadian Immigrant Fairs. Canadian Immigrant is a division of Metroland Media Group, a dynamic media company with more than 100 community and daily newspapers in print and online, as well as innovative websites including wheels.ca, goldbook.ca, save.ca and localwork.ca. Learn more at canadianimmigrant.ca.

About Western Union

Western Union is a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments. Western Union’s platform provides seamless cross-border flows and its leading global financial network bridges more than 200 countries and territories and over 130 currencies. We connect businesses, financial institutions, governments, and consumers through one of the world’s widest reaching networks, accessing billions of bank accounts, millions of digital wallets and cards, and approximately 600,000 retail locations. Western Union connects the world to bring boundless possibilities within reach.

Contacts

Canadian Immigrant
Laura Jackman, 647-212-0549
ljackman@metroland.com

Western Union
Brad Jones
Bradley.Jones@wu.com