Three distinguished residents from the Windsor-Essex region have been honored with one of Ontario's highest civilian awards for their outstanding volunteer contributions. Stacey Robert-Tobin, Dean Paul La Bute, and Sam Sinjari were among twenty exceptional civic leaders who received the Queen Elizabeth II Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship during a ceremony at Queen's Park in Toronto on April 14.
Prestigious Recognition for Community Impact
The Queen Elizabeth II Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship represents the province's second-highest civilian honor, renamed in 2024 to pay tribute to the late monarch. This prestigious award specifically acknowledges individuals whose leadership and exceptional volunteer service have created lasting positive impacts within their communities while contributing to building a stronger Ontario and Canada.
Stacey Robert-Tobin: Educator and Fertility Advocate
Stacey Robert-Tobin, a Tecumseh resident, has distinguished herself as an educator, author, and advocate according to the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. As a professor at St. Clair College, her teaching spans criminal and civil law, social justice, sociology, and psychology, combining academic rigor with sustained community engagement.
Drawing from her personal experience with infertility, Robert-Tobin founded Fertility Friends in 2017, a support network that now serves more than 800 individuals and families. Additionally, as Southwest Ontario's representative for Fertility Matters Canada, she contributes significantly to national research and policy initiatives addressing fertility challenges.
Dean Paul La Bute: Accessibility Champion
Dean Paul La Bute, a Windsor resident, transformed the loss of his vision in early adulthood into a lifelong commitment to accessibility, health equity, and advocacy for marginalized populations. For more than six decades, he has held leadership and governance roles with major organizations including the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Victorian Order of Nurses, Standards Advisory Council, and the Canadian Association of Retired Persons.
La Bute has been recognized for his instrumental work in shaping policy, strengthening support systems, and advancing inclusion at local, provincial, and national levels. His dedication has helped create more accessible communities and better support structures for those facing vision challenges and other disabilities.
Sam Sinjari: Community Builder and Philanthropist
Sam Sinjari, another Windsor resident, was honored for his extensive work in community safety, food security, environmental renewal, and non-profit governance. As chair of the community service projects committee of Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), he leads numerous initiatives supporting families, newcomers, and vulnerable residents throughout the region.
Sinjari's volunteer efforts span diverse areas including tree planting, essential supply drives, employment support donations, and providing holiday meals to those in need. Through his Empowering Kindness podcast, he has amplified recognition of local charities and fostered increased collaboration across the Windsor-Essex region. The province noted that his volunteering reflects a remarkable ability to galvanize people and resources with both compassion and practical insight.
Celebrating Civic Leadership
The awards ceremony brought together twenty of Ontario's most exceptional civic leaders from across the province, with the Windsor-Essex trio standing out for their diverse yet equally impactful contributions. Their recognition underscores the vital role that volunteer service plays in strengthening communities and addressing critical social needs.
These three individuals exemplify how personal commitment, professional expertise, and community spirit can combine to create meaningful change. Their work in education, accessibility advocacy, and community building demonstrates the multifaceted ways citizens can contribute to a stronger, more compassionate society.
