Mississauga announces recipient of the 2026 Gordon S. Shipp Memorial Award for Citizen of the Year

The City of Mississauga is pleased to announce that Ranil Mendis was selected as the recipient of the 2026 Gordon S. Shipp Memorial Award for Citizen of the Year.

The award was presented to Mendis yesterday evening by Deputy Mayor Matt Mahoney as part of the City’s 2026 annual Civic Recognition awards event.

The Citizen of the Year recognizes one Mississauga resident who has given unselfishly for the betterment of their community. Mendis was celebrated for his outstanding leadership, community service and philanthropic efforts, positive attitude and ability to inspire others through co-operation and dedication.

Mendis is a long-standing community builder with more than three decades of volunteer service in Mississauga. He has transformed access to youth sport, strengthened community connections and inspired thousands of young people across our city.

He arrived in Canada in 1988 and understood early on the barriers that many newcomers face. Drawing on his own experience as an internationally-trained accountant, Mendis has been deeply committed to creating pathways for inclusion, participation and opportunity for others.

One of the ways he has done this is through cricket, which he has used as a powerful platform for engagement, belonging and development. He has led initiatives such as the Ontario School’s Cricket Association and the Mayor’s School Cricket Program, which launched in 2013 in collaboration with then-Mayor Hazel McCallion.

What began as small, volunteer-led efforts at the school level has grown into structured, City-recognized programming, thanks to Mendis’ collaborative efforts and thoughtful leadership.

Named in memory of Gordon S. Shipp, a local custom home builder and Chairman of the Board of Shipp Corporation Ltd., the Citizen of the Year Award honours his enduring legacy of community service, leadership and dedication to improving the lives of others.

A volunteer selection committee made up of residents chosen by Council, a member from the Shipp family and Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®, reviewed all nominations and made the final selection.

For more information about the award and selection process, visit the webpage. To learn more about the 2026 Citizen of the Year, watch the video.

Quotes

“Mississauga is a great city because of the people who give back, and Ranil Mendis is one of those people. His commitment to community service, volunteerism and helping others has made a meaningful difference across our city. This honour is well deserved and I am proud to celebrate Ranil as Mississauga’s 2026 Citizen of the Year.” – Deputy Mayor Matt Mahoney

“I am honoured to receive this recognition from Mississauga, the city I have called home for nearly four decades. Cricket helped me find friendships and a sense of belonging when I first arrived in Canada. Through the Ontario Schools Cricket Association, I’ve been fortunate to help create those same opportunities for young people. I share this honour with my family, volunteers, educators and community partners who have made this work possible. Thank you to the City of Mississauga for this very special recognition.” – Ranil Mendis, Recipient, 2026 Gordon S. Shipp Memorial Award for Citizen of the Year

Background

As approved by Council in August 2025, the City of Mississauga is now responsible for the Gordon S. Shipp Memorial Award for Citizen of the Year. The award was last presented in May 2025 by Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® and was presented in 2026 as part of the City’s annual Civic Recognition awards evening.

Gordon S. Shipp Memorial Award for Citizen of the Year, named in memory of Gordon S. Shipp, commemorates his legacy of dedication and service to the community. It recognizes a resident of Mississauga who has given unselfishly of their time and energy, for the betterment of the community and its citizens. Recipients are celebrated for his or her outstanding leadership, community service and philanthropic efforts, and are known for their positive attitude and ability to inspire others through co-operation and dedication.

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• Awards and Recognition