Healthy Democracy Student Leadership Award

The Healthy Democracy Student Leadership Award, a partnership between the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA), is being awarded in the amount of $1,000 to one graduating English public school student in each of OPSBA’s six regions. Scholarship recipients are students with leadership skills and potential, who care deeply about their communities and furthering their own learning. The application deadline for 2026 is May 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Download the promo flyer (PDF)

Selection Criteria*

• A demonstrated commitment to civic engagement and the importance of local governments in Ontario’s political system
• Diversity of leadership and perspective
• Community involvement such as volunteering, athletics, and extra-curricular activities, including within a First Nation, Métis or Inuit community
• Social identity, socio-economic status or other factors unique to each student’s achievements and the opportunities available to the them

*The criteria between OPSBA regions may differ slightly, please connect with your region’s OPSBA Regional Chair (listed below) to confirm application process. 

Central East – Information Sheet, Jaine Klassen Jeninga, jaine_klassenjeninga@kprdsb.ca

Central West – Information Sheet, Donna Danielli, daniellid@hdsb.ca

Eastern – Information Sheet, Susan Humphries, humphriess@rcdsb.on.ca

North East – Information Sheet, Bill Steer, wilstonsteer@gmail.com 

North West – Information Sheet, (Vice-Chair) Jason Nesbitt, jnesbitt@sgdsb.on.ca 

Western – Information Sheet, Arlene Morell, amorell@rogers.com

Eligible Students

• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• In good standing with the secondary school
• Entering a post-secondary program (e.g., university, college, apprenticeship, etc.) within Ontario in 2025
• Graduating from a secondary school within one of the eligible school boards or school authority within OPSBA membership.

OPSBA Regions

Central East

• Durham District School Board
• Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
• Simcoe County District School Board
• Toronto District School Board
• Trillium Lakelands District School Board
• York Region District School Board
• Bloorview School Authority
• Grandview Children’s Centre School Authority
• Protestant Separate School Board of the Town of Penetanguishene

Central West

• Grand Erie District School Board
• Halton District School Board
• Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
• Peel District School Board
• District School Board of Niagara
• Upper Grand District School Board
• Waterloo Region District School Board
• KidsAbility School Authority
• Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre School Authority

Eastern

• Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
• Limestone District School Board
• Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
• Renfrew County District School Board
• Upper Canada District School Board
• CHEO School Authority

North East

• Algoma District School Board
• District School Board Ontario North East
• Near North District School Board
• Rainbow District School Board
• James Bay Lowlands Secondary School Board
• Moose Factory Island District School Area Board
• Moosonee District School Area Board

North West 

• Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
• Lakehead District School Board
• Rainy River District School Board
• Superior-Greenstone District School Board

Western

• Avon Maitland District School Board
• Bluewater District School Board
• Greater Essex County District School Board
• Lambton Kent District School Board
• Thames Valley District School Board
• John McGivney Children’s Centre School Authority