03-07-2025
Newmarket honours late advocate Kevin Mills with highest town award
The Town of Newmarket awards its highest honour posthumously to former advanced care paramedic Kevin Mills.
The Town of Newmarket paid tribute to the legacy of Kevin Mills, a tireless accessibility advocate and former advanced care paramedic, who passed away in April.
On Wednesday, the Town recognized Mills posthumously at Fairy Lake Park with the Honorary Citizen Award, which is awarded to those who make a significant impact in the community and inspire future generations.
Mills was a champion of inclusivity and accessibility in Newmarket. After sustaining a catastrophic spinal cord injury in 2009, the Town says he refused to let his disability define him. Instead, he and his wife Heather founded the Walk it Off spinal recovery centre and created the non-profit Peddling Possibilities to support and inspire people with disabilities to become more active.
Kevin Mills honoured in Newmarket
The Honorary Citizen monument at Fairy Lake Park in Newmarket, Ont.
(Town of Newmarket)
In 2023, the Town says Mills hand-cycled across Canada to raise awareness and support for people with disabilities, earning him Newmarket's Key to the City.
'Kevin's strength, determination and commitment to making our community more inclusive is an inspiration to us all. His courage in overcoming adversity and his passion for advocating on behalf of those with disabilities truly makes him a remarkable role model and hero,' stated Mayor John Taylor.
Mills' family unveiled a permanent plaque and accepted the Honorary Citizen Award on his behalf.
