The Nation Builder of the Year award formalizes what the Empire Club of Canada has been doing since 1903 - celebrating and providing a platform for people who are building our country. 
  
Since its founding over a century ago, the Empire Club, a non-profit organization, has played a pivotal role in many of our country’s major milestones. That’s why the focus of this award is on efforts by a Canadian individual or a group of individuals who are making a significant contribution to our country. 
  
This individual or a group of individuals can be from any walk of life - a political official, a business leader, an artist, or a cultural figure - who has made a major contribution to our national identity during their nomination year.  

The Nation Builder Award was introduced in 2019 and in its inaugural year, the Toronto Raptors received the honour. In 2020, Canada’s Front Line Workers were celebrated.