2025 Nation Builder Award – Toronto Blue Jays

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Empire Club of Canada will honour the Toronto Blue Jays with the 2025 Nation Builder Award at a special ceremony at the Toronto Metropolitan Convention Centre in downtown Toronto. Canada’s team will be celebrated for its extraordinary impact on national culture, community, and pride, with the award accepted on behalf of the organisation by Mark Shapiro, President and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto, will join others in giving testimonials on the impact of the Blue Jays in bringing together — not only the city of Toronto — but the whole country.

Following the formal presentation, the Blue Jays’ story will be brought to life in an in-depth fireside chat featuring Shapiro in conversation with Hazel Mae, member of Sportsnet’s Blue Jays broadcast team. Together, they will explore how the Blue Jays’ on-field achievements, long-term investments in fan experience and infrastructure, and the work of Jays Care Foundation have helped unite Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Attendees will gain behind-the-scenes insight into how the Blue Jays have become a true national institution—building resilient teams, engaging a country-wide fan base, and leveraging their platform to drive social impact. Business, civic, and community leaders will leave with practical lessons on leadership, brand stewardship, and community-building that extend far beyond the ballpark.

About the Toronto Blue Jays:

The Toronto Blue Jays are the only Canadian team in Major League Baseball. Founded in 1977, the Blue Jays are owned by Rogers Communications and play in downtown Toronto at Rogers Centre, which recently underwent a $400 million renovation to improve the fan experience and turn the stadium into a ballpark. The Blue Jays play in the highly competitive American League East where they have won seven division titles, three American League titles, and back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993. In 2025, the Blue Jays captured the heart of a nation, uniting Canadians across the country during an exciting postseason run in which they captured the American League Championship. In the community, Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Blue Jays, is dedicated to growing the game by providing opportunities to youth – especially those facing systemic barriers – by leveraging baseball as a powerful tool to build character, resilience, and a sense of belonging. The Blue Jays are celebrating their 50th season in 2026.