The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) is now accepting nominations for the Tom Miller Human Rights Award.
CBRM invites nominations for individuals who have made a significant contribution to the community through the encouragement, promotion, initiation or development of human rights. The award is presented annually to a CBRM resident whose efforts have strengthened equity, inclusion and human rights within the municipality.
Tom Miller was born in Halifax in 1917, three months before the Halifax Explosion. He and his family moved to Whitney Pier shortly after the disaster. Miller grew up to work at the Sydney Steel Plant and served in the Second World War. He became Atlantic Canada’s first Black alderman when he was elected in Sydney in 1955, a seat he held for 17 years. Miller later became the first African Nova Scotian to run for the provincial Liberals.
The award honours Tom Miller’s contribution to human rights and his lifelong commitment to equity, justice and opportunity for all, particularly for those disadvantaged by discrimination or poverty.
The deadline for nominations is December 18, 2026. The award recipient will be notified in early January.
Nomination forms are available at the Citizen Service Centre, City Hall, 320 Esplanade, Sydney.
For more information and to access the nomination form online, visit cbrm.ns.ca/tommiller.