The champion | Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the Blue Jays to the World Series and showed the world he was born ready

By Mark Shapiro — President and CEO, Toronto Blue Jays

My first impression of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was that he was clearly a different level of talent — it was a different sound off his bat. He’s so young. In baseball age, he hasn’t even reached the prime of his career, and yet he’s always had to perform under this spotlight. He has had so many expectations heaped upon him because of his dad, because of his status as a prospect and the expectations of the franchise in the city and the country. But what we saw this season, and especially this post-season, was him embracing this role of leadership and the pressure of performing on the biggest stage. What he brings to the team has always been consistent, as far as his joy for playing the game and his love for his teammates. But this year, the ability to match that with his performance with the most at stake really was telling. In the most intense moments, he still shows the most carefree joy, and that has an impact on everyone around him: the team, the clubhouse, the organization and probably our fan base too. In what was arguably the most special baseball moment for this city and this country since 1993, he led this team on and off the field to provide lifelong memories for all Canadians.

By Peter Ash — journalist at TSN

I was at Game 1 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees and I remember barely hearing the PA announcer introducing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s name. The fans were excited and rightfully so; but what followed after that was something that most of us will be talking about for years to come. After signing a 14-year/$500 million dollar extension in April, Vladdy took matters into his own hands, following a stellar regular season with one of the greatest postseason runs of all time. And I, along with many other Blue Jays fans, couldn’t be any happier for it. From being the son of a hall-of-famer to potentially becoming one on his own, Guerrero Jr. has safely put himself among one of Toronto’s most beloved. He might’ve lost the World Series, but he definitely won the respect and admiration of Jays fans everywhere. And I hope he knows that.

For the full list of Toronto’s 2025 People of the Year, click here. 

The actor | Malin Akerman

Malin Akerman staged a comeback by starring in one of the most addictive and hilarious shows of the year, The Hunting Wives

By May Cobb — author of The Hunting Wives

I remember meeting Malin for the very first time, on set to star as Margo Banks in the Netflix TV adaptation of my novel The Hunting Wives. I was in the hair and makeup trailer getting ready for my cameo. She came in and gave me the biggest hug and told me she’d been waiting for a juicy, complicated, complex role like Margo for a long time. She was so effusive and kind. I can’t imagine anyone else playing the edgy, messy, force of nature that is Margo other than her. She fully transforms into Margo: one minute, she’s pouring on the charm, and the next, that wicked, knowing smile comes out, and it’s just riveting to watch. So brilliant. I remember watching takes one day on set during pilot week — so very early on in filming — alongside our wonderful producer, Erwin Stoff, and Malin was in a scene with Dermot Mulroney, and I believe she was ad libbing a line and the two of them were just clicking so well. Erwin, grinning, takes his headset off and says, “This is terrific! This is working!” It was like watching a magic trick unfold. On top of being an incredible, phenomenally gifted actor, she’s also such a dedicated mom, and that’s very inspiring to witness.

For the full list of Toronto’s 2025 People of the Year, click here. 

The advocate | Maggie Helwig

Maggie Helwig wrote the Toronto Book Award-winning Encampment, documenting the lives of unhoused individuals and the homelessness crisis in Toronto, and fought to protect the encampment in her church’s backyard

By Sook-Yin Lee — musician, director, actor and Kensington Market resident

Mother Maggie Helwig is the coolest person in Toronto. I told her myself, years ago, and she found it amusing. Mother Maggie advocates for human rights, most recently assisting unhoused individuals in an encampment at St. Stephen’s in the Field Church, which the city demolished. Despite obstacles, her care is boundless. When I was going through difficulty, her church welcomed me, despite my not being Christian. During a service, I witnessed an astonishing de-escalation of violence, as a man, plagued by mental anguish, burst in and spat on the altar while shouting obscenities. Instead of backing away, Mother Maggie asked how she might help, while Leroy Niles, an outstanding church member, listened with compassion, and I observed the rage fade from the man’s expression. Mother Maggie dares to reimagine the church as a space for provocative engagement. Poet, writer and disruptor, she sheds light on our shortcomings and motivates us to unite to improve our shared experience.

For the full list of Toronto’s 2025 People of the Year, click here. 

The Canadian | Mike Myers

Mike Myers stood up to our southern frenemies and created a catchphrase heard around the world: “Elbows up!“

By Bruce McCulloch — The Kids in the Hall member, friend

I remember once The Kids in the Hall were doing a show in a tiny comedy club in Toronto, and I looked up and there was Mike: standing at the side of the stage and grinning at us. I asked him, “What are you doing here?” He said, “I just wanted to watch you guys work.” And then he said, so genuinely, “Congratulations on all your success,” which was hilarious because I think I made $200 that night. This was the same month that Wayne’s World was making $100 million. We all loved how humble he was with his great success and how it felt like he only did things that he wanted to do, which of course is every comedian’s dream. I think absolutely everyone loves him because his characters are kind and vulnerable and mischievous, just like he is. His work has taught me something: that comedy can be both strange and popular, which gives hope for all us freaks who love him.

By Scott Thompson — The Kids in the Hall member, friend

The first time I saw Mike onstage I had just met the Kids in the Hall and I thought, “Oh no, this guy is going to be trouble.” So I secretly arranged for him to move to England with his comedy partner Neil Malarkey before the Kids fell in love with him. I knew that a talent that big could not be stopped no matter what but I had to try. Now I’m glad I failed. Turns out there was room for all of us. 

For the full list of Toronto’s 2025 People of the Year, click here. 

The filmmaker | Celine Song

Celine Song followed up her breakout hit Past Lives by creating a culture-defining movie with Materialists and revived the rom-com

By Paul Fairfield — philosophy professor, Queen’s University; Celine’s existentialism & postmodernism professor

Professors can’t take credit for our students’ success, although in Celine’s case I wish I could. During her student years at Queen’s, it was clear that she would go far in pretty much anything she went on to do, but Celine has gone much farther and much faster than even I expected. I remember her energy and enthusiasm in discussing ideas and the combination of intelligence and imagination that professors like myself love to see in our students, when we do. That combination is not something any educator can instill. It seems to come from some mysterious place within, and in Celine’s case she seems to be visiting that place quite often. Every culture needs storytellers, maybe now more than ever, and in Celine Song we see a storyteller who may only just be getting started.

By Daniel Pemberton — composer of the Materialists film score

I first met Celine on the sort of nonsense award circuit because I was doing stuff for Spider-Verse and she had just done Past Lives. I loved Past Lives, but it’s funny, because when you’re in that sort of world, when you have a film like Spider-Verse, it’s not often given the same regard as something like Past Lives. But one of the things I think is amazing about Celine is she’s a filmmaker to her core. Those kinds of boundaries of, let’s call it art house, or what’s commercial, don’t apply in the same way if you’re interested in great work and interesting people. We just got on really well, and I was very flattered that she asked me to come and do Materialists. She’s very warm and funny and very supportive as a director, which makes a big difference. I think she’s so smart and on top of so many aspects of the film; she’ll be driving the way it looks, the way it’s presented. And she’s done two very different movies now, and I think they’ve both achieved success in different ways. That’s very hard to do. To have your first breakout movie be a hit is something that happens a lot, but to follow it up with something quite different, that’s still a very strong piece of work — I think that is a sign of a very exciting filmmaker.

For the full list of Toronto’s 2025 People of the Year, click here.