IDI GTA

✨ Concluding Our 2026 Public Heroes Recognitions ✨

As we continue our Public Heroes highlights, we close with individuals and a team whose stories remind us that service takes many forms — leadership, mentorship, compassion, teamwork, and community care.

🏅 Staff Sergeant Neil Rambharack – Toronto Police Service
With over 25 years of service, Staff Sergeant Rambharack leads the Community Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) Team at the forefront of community-based policing. His collaboration with Toronto Public Health and initiatives including Heather’s Corner and the Heather Rambharack Legacy Award reflect compassion, leadership, and commitment to public service.

🙏 Our thanks to Colin Stairs, Chief Transformation Officer.

🏅 Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Payton – HMCS York
With over 29 years in the Royal Canadian Navy, Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Payton serves as Coxswain at HMCS YORK, leading and mentoring over 400 members. Beyond military service, his volunteer work with Scouts Canada reflects dedication to youth leadership and community values.

🙏 Our thanks to Commander Paul Smith.

🏅 Team Award: Traffic Sergeant Peggy Horton & Provincial Constable Taylor Konkle – Ontario Provincial Police
Together, Sergeant Horton and PC Konkle led a large-scale Holiday Drive across Toronto and Whitby, mobilizing officers, businesses, and community members. Their efforts collected thousands of pounds of food, essential supplies, and over $7,400 in donations supporting shelters, youth, and families in need.

🙏 Our thanks to Chief Superintendent André Phelps.

With these final honourees, we conclude our 2026 Public Heroes highlights — but the impact of their stories continues far beyond the stage.

Thank you to all our Public Heroes for serving not only with duty, but with heart.

✨ Continuing Our Public Heroes Recognition ✨

Behind every recognition is a story — not only of duty, but of character, compassion, and service beyond expectation.

Today, we highlight the first group of our 2026 Public Heroes, whose work reflects the values at the heart of this program: altruism, dedication, and community service.

🏅 Superintendent Chris Josiah – Ontario Provincial Police
With over 29 years of leadership in major crime, intelligence, and regional command, Superintendent Josiah has shown outstanding commitment to public safety. Beyond policing, his work with NACCA, youth mentorship, and community programming reflects dedication to equity, inclusion, and stronger communities.

🙏 Our thanks to Chief Superintendent André Phelps.

🏅 Captain Ron Lyons – Brampton Fire & Emergency Services
With over 25 years of service, Captain Lyons has demonstrated leadership, courage, and compassion in protecting his community. Through mentorship and charitable initiatives, his work reflects integrity and selflessness.

🙏 Our thanks to by Chief Andy Glynn.

🏅 Carly-Ann Munns – Toronto Paramedic Services
As an Emergency Medical Dispatcher and Training Officer, Carly-Ann supports both the public and her colleagues as a vital “first-first responder.” Her involvement in peer support, youth initiatives, and food security reflects a lifelong commitment to service.

🙏 Our thanks to Deputy Chief Janice Baine.

🏅 Provincial Constable Walker Lewis – Ontario Provincial Police
From mentoring and northern deployments to leading the Keeping Ontario Warm initiative, Provincial Constable Lewis has demonstrated leadership, compassion, and commitment to inclusive communities.

🙏 Our thanks to Chief Superintendent André Phelps.

These Public Heroes remind us that service is not always loud — but its impact is deeply felt.

For over a decade, the Public Heroes Awards has served as more than a ceremony; it has been a structured platform for recognizing service beyond the call of duty.

As a flagship program of the Intercultural Dialogue Institute GTA, it is dedicated to recognizing individuals and teams who demonstrate exceptional service beyond their professional responsibilities.

At its core, the program is guided by three key principles: altruism, dedication, and community service.

Each year, nominations are carefully reviewed in collaboration with public institutions to identify those whose contributions extend beyond their professional responsibilities and reflect a sustained commitment to the communities they serve.

Marking its 15th anniversary, this year’s program brought together representatives from first responder services, public institutions, and community partners across the GTA — highlighting not only individual achievements, but also the shared values that sustain trust and social cohesion.

We are also grateful to our partner organizations and community collaborators, whose continued support and engagement remain essential to the strength and impact of this program.

From the opening ceremony and keynote reflections to the award presentations, the evening reflected the purpose of the program: to make visible the often-unseen efforts that support our communities every day.

Through this initiative, the Intercultural Dialogue Institute GTA continues to provide a platform where stories of service are recognized, shared, and carried forward.

We now turn to the individuals behind this year’s recognitions.

We also extend our sincere appreciation for the special video message from The Honourable Doug Ford and thank The Honourable Michael Kerzner and MPP Silvia Gualtieri for their valued support.

On Earth Day, the Intercultural Dialogue Institute GTA was honoured to take part in the Interfaith Youth Forum, a meaningful gathering that brought together more than 100 young people from diverse faith traditions.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Mary Ward Centre for their leadership in organizing this impactful initiative, and to all partner organizations for their collaboration — including Nile Academy, whose students contributed thoughtfully to the dialogue.

Together with TCDSB Indigenous Education, Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto, and Green Ummah the forum created a space where youth could reflect on an important question:

How do we move from reflection to real commitment to our common home?

The discussions highlighted that care for the Earth is not only a shared value across traditions, but also a collective responsibility that calls for action, justice, and continued engagement.

At IDI GTA, we remain committed to fostering such spaces where dialogue leads to understanding, and understanding leads to meaningful action.

On April 13, we had the pleasure of hosting the 5th session of our Scriptural Reasoning program, focusing on the theme: “Friendship” with the valuable contributions of the Toronto School of Theology.

Through selected passages from both sacred texts, participants explored the meaning of friendship as a relationship rooted in loyalty, mutual support, and spiritual connection. The discussion created a thoughtful space for reflection, dialogue, and deeper understanding across traditions.

We extend our sincere thanks to our facilitators and to all participants for their openness and engagement.

The evening concluded with a shared meal, offering a meaningful opportunity to continue conversations in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

We look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming sessions.

This Easter, we celebrate hope, renewal, and the power of human connection.

May this season inspire peace, friendship, and understanding across all communities.

Happy Easter from IDI GTA ✨

Warm wishes from IDI GTA this Passover 🌿✨

As our Jewish neighbours celebrate this meaningful festival of freedom and hope, we join in recognizing the enduring values that bring communities together: compassion, resilience, and the importance of remembering shared histories.

May this Passover bring peace, happiness, and renewal to you and your loved ones. May your homes be filled with warmth, cherished traditions, and sweet memories around the table.

May Nowruz bring happiness, health, and success into your life.

A shared table,
warm conversations,
a memorable evening.

Our Friendship Iftar Dinner, held together with Holy Blossom Temple on March 17, once again reminded us how friendship and dialogue grow when people come together around the same table.

We extend our sincere thanks to Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, MPP , and Councillor for honouring us with their presence and making this evening even more meaningful.

We are also deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this beautiful evening possible.