Gold key to the city in a blue and white boxThe Key to the City is bestowed upon distinguished citizens and residents equally well as honoured guests of the City of Toronto.

In Toronto, the human action of giving the Key to the Metropolis is symbolic, since the city has no gates to unlock. The presentation of a ceremonial key and certificate honour the outstanding borough contributions of each recipient.

Historically, it has been at the discretion of the Mayor to determine who receives the Key to the Metropolis. The Mayor has given the key to people who have changed how Toronto feels most itself and those that take contributed positively to the urban center and the lives of its residents.

Mayor John Tory

2021

Andy Kim

Image of Andy Kim with Mayor Tory
Andy Kim receives the Key to the City from Mayor Tory.

Officially presented on December viii, 2021

Andy Kim is awarded the Key to the City for entertaining and uniting people for decades through his music and for using his talent to back up the many worthy causes that take benefited from his annual Andy Kim Christmas Show.  The evidence, at present in its 17th year, has raised more than $2 1000000 in support of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Wellness and children's charities.  Andy, who has called Toronto home for many years, created a Toronto tradition that celebrates togetherness, charity and the spirit of the holiday season.  Andy Kim'due south career started at age sixteen and he has received top industry honours including 5 JUNO Awards as well as membership in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canada's Walk of Fame.  Today, Andy'south musical artistry is acclaimed past many who have joy in his craft and helped to back up many charitable causes.

Gordon Lightfoot

Image of Gordon Lightfoot with Mayor Tory
Mayor Tory presents the Key to the Metropolis to Gordon Lightfoot on November 25, 2021.

Officially presented on November 25, 2021

Citation: Canadian treasure and Toronto icon, Gordon Lightfoot is awarded the Key to the City for his contributions as 1 of Canada's greatest songwriters. As a folk stone legend, he has won 17 Juno Awards, five Grammy nominations and been recognized by his peers by being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Usa Songwriters Hall of Fame.  The presentation of the Central to the Urban center marks Gordon'due south milestone 170th performance at Massey Hall on the occasion of its reopening. He was the last to perform on its stage prior to the Hall closing for renovations in 2018.  Over a long career, his many national, provincial and academic honours and awards recognize his numerous and long standing contributions to performance and song writing. His work continues to inspire and influence folk, folk stone and country artists from his habitation here in Toronto and around the earth.

2019

Robbie Robertson

Mayor Tory presents the Key to the City to Robbie Robertson
Mayor Tory presents the Key to the City to Robbie Robertson at a news conference during the opening of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2019.

Officially presented on September 5, 2019

Commendation: The Mayor is presenting this key to Robbie Robertson in recognition of his indelible contribution to music and the arts in Canada and around the earth. Born and raised in Toronto, Robbie Robertson was inspired to make music while visiting the Six Nations of the Grant River, beginning to write songs at a very young age. His incredible talent for songwriting propelled him to stardom with The Band and ensured his condition as a music legend. A member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Stone and Roll Hall of Fame, his work continues to influence artists hither in Toronto and around the earth. It is a signal of national pride that a remarkable Canadian contributed to the institution of a musical genre known as Americana. We thank him for continuing to be an inspiring Torontonian.

The 2019 NBA Champions Toronto Raptors

Officially presented on June 17, 2019

Mayor John Tory presents the Key to the City to Kawhi Leonard and the 2019 NBA Champion Toronto Raptors
Mayor John Tory presents the Primal to the City to the 2019 NBA Champion Toronto Raptors on June 17, 2019. Kawhi Leonard,  accompanied past Mariah Amber of the North Side Crew, accepts on behalf of the team.

Citation: This Key to the City is presented to the Toronto Raptors in recognition of the team's 2019 National Basketball Association Championship win. The 2019 squad won the first NBA title in franchise history and brought the Larry O'Brien trophy north of the border to Canada for the starting time time ever.

This season, the Raptors captured the Atlantic Segmentation regular flavour title for the sixth time, propelling them to an incredible postseason that saw the team win the Eastern Briefing Finals and go along on to win the NBA Finals.

This historic playoff run galvanized and united not only Toronto, merely all of Canada, bringing together fans from coast to declension to declension. The victory itself and the events surrounding it will inspire Torontonians, particularly immature people, for years to come. This fundamental is presented with great joy and gratitude.

 2018

2017

2016

Mayor Rob Ford

2013

  • Doug Holyday – August 20, 2013
  • George Chuvalo – March 26, 2013

2012

  • George Cohon – June 21, 2012

Mayor David Miller

2010

  • His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama – October 22, 2010

2005

  • Old Police Master Julian Fantino – April 14, 2005

Mayor Mel Lastman

2003

  • Mike Myers – June 25, 2003
  • Eng. Ferro Rodrigues – July 8, 2003
  • The people of Prince Edward Island – July 28, 2003
  • The Rolling Stones – Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood and Michael Cohl – July xxx, 2003
  • The Anson Carter Family – July 31, 2003
  • Nickelback – Ryan Vikedal, Ryan Peake, Chad Kroeger and Mike Kroeger – September 19, 2003
  • Deputy Mayor Example Ootes – September 23, 2003

2002

  • Tiger Woods – May 27, 2002
  • Dr. Carlos Cesar – June eight, 2002
  • Father Tom Rosica – July 31, 2002
  • Ronnie Hawkins – October 4, 2002
  • Muhammad Ali – October 20, 2002
  • Tony Dionisio – November 2, 2002

2001

  • Boris Spremo – January 22, 2001
  • King Constantine – May 23, 2001
  • Sylvester Stallone – May 26, 2001
  • Sophia Loren – June 5, 2001
  • Margaret Atwood – October xix, 2001
  • Joni Mitchell – October nineteen, 2001
  • Jackie Chan – November xviii, 2001
  • Blueish Rodeo – November 30, 2001

2000

  • Sharon, Lois & Bram – Feb xi, 2000
  • Archbishop Desmond Tutu – February xvi, 2000
  • David Boothby, Chief of Constabulary – February one, 2029
  • Neil Young – March 30, 2000
  • Donald Sutherland – March xxx, 2000
  • His Excellency Constantinos Stephanopoulos, Pres. of the Hellenic Rep. of Hellenic republic – June 1, 2000
  • Pastor Jan Paulsen – June 2, 2000
  • Pastor Orville Parchment – June 29, 2000
  • His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj – July 23, 2000
  • Barenaked Ladies – September 21, 2000
  • J.K. Rowling – October 22, 2000

1999

  • Yo-Yo Ma – January 15, 1999
  • David Gunn – Feb 11, 1999
  • Norman Jewison – Apr 14, 1999
  • Mickey Mouse – July 21, 1999
  • Frank Alvarez  – Baronial 29, 1999
  • Jorge Ferreira – August 29, 1999
  • Celine Dion – September 17, 1999
  • Jose Lello – September 23, 1999
  • Ron Huldai – September 29, 1999
  • Joe Foti – October 5, 1999

1998

  • Mickey Rooney – June 5, 1998
  • Bobby Curtola – July 4, 1998
  • Sheldon Kennedy – July eight, 1998
  • Bobby Rahal – July 19, 1998
  • Ed Mirvish – July 26, 1998
  • Roberto Leal – August 30, 1998
  • Charles Adler – August 27, 1998
  • Nelson Mandela – September 25, 1998
  • Barbara Ann Scott-King – November 27, 1998
  • Johnny Lombardi – December four, 1998