In 2008, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, in partnership with the Ontario Heritage Trust launched the Community Leadership Program to recognize communities for exemplary leadership in built, cultural and natural heritage conservation and promotion.

Any community can nominate themselves for the Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Community Leadership, awarded through this program. Each year, the award will be presented to the most outstanding community in each of four population sub-categories: under 10,000; from 10,000 to 50,000; from 50,000 to 125,000; and over 125,000.