Canada’s Walk of Fame, the country’s highest mark of excellence, announced on Wednesday the first round of Inductees who will join the organization’s illustrious ranks in 2025. “The Young and the Restless” alum Tonya Williams (ex-Olivia Winters) was among those named in the Arts & Entertainment category for her work as an actress, producer and advocate.
“It is a thrill to announce this first group of extraordinary Canadians,” said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame. “Just as their stars will be permanently cemented along Canada’s Walk of Fame, so too has their impact been cemented into the very fabric of the lives and the communities they’ve touched, both in Canada and around the world.”
In addition to Williams, other inductees include Liona Boyd (Arts & Entertainment), a five-time Juno Award winner for “First Lady of Guitar”’; Dr. Tirone David (Science, Technology & Innovation), a cardiovascular surgeon; Dr. Samantha Nutt (Humanitarianism), a champion for Children’s Wellness on the Frontlines of Global Crises; Our Lady Peace (Arts & Entertainment), the multiplatinum, diamond selling band; and Mike Weir (Sports & Athletics), often referred to as one of Canada’s greatest golfers.
Canada’s Walk of Fame (Courtesy)
The six newly announced inductees will join the more than 230 esteemed Canadians commemorated on Canada’s Walk of Fame, including previously announced 2024 Inductee Dr. Frank J. Hayden, known for his ground-breaking research that ignited the Special Olympics movement. Dr. Hayden was the sole inductee for 2024 and was honored on Tuesday night at a special Celebration Event at Toronto’s Liberty Grand.
Taking place on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the annual awards show and gala celebration honors outstanding Canadians for their exceptional achievements and contributions, and promises a refreshed experience for attendees. Plans for public events and experiences along with additional 2025 Inductees and Honourees will be revealed in the new year, the organization said.
“We’re excited to move the Celebration to June, allowing more fans to engage with Canada’s Walk of Fame,” noted Latimer, referencing the decision to move the ceremony to a new date.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Williams said, “I am honoured to have made an impact in Canada and internationally, and being part of Canada’s legacy is a dream come true! I’ve experienced two distinct careers: one as an actress and another through @reelworldfilm, helping others achieve their goals.”
Born July 12, 1958, in London, England, Williams is best known for portraying the role of Dr. Olivia Winters on “The Young and the Restless” off-and-on for 19 years, having joined the series in June 1990 and last appearing in February 2012. In the U.S., the daytime drama airs weekdays on CBS with Global TV carrying Canadian broadcast rights.
As founder and executive director of the Reelworld Screen Institute, Reelworld Film Festival+Summit and Reelworld Foundation, Williams founded Reelworld in 2000 to address the lack of opportunities, access, and inclusion in Canada for Black, Indigenous, Asian and other people of color in the screen industries. Additionally, Williams is an active board member at the Canadian Artists Network, the Telefilm Diversity & Inclusion Group, the Telefilm Authentic Storytelling sub-committee, the Canadian Media Fund Racialized Advisory Group, the Ontario Creates Advisory Industry Committee, Canadian Creative Industries Coalitions Group and the Canadian Racial Screen Leaders Collective. She is the co-founder of the Black Screen Office, where she served as a board member for its first two years.
Nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards for her role on “The Young and the Restless,” Williams has won two NAACP Image Awards, an ACTRA Award of Excellence, a WIFT-T Crystal Award and a Harry Jerome Award, among other awards.
An outspoken advocate for racial diversity and equity all of her life, Williams is a citizen of three countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
Watch Williams talk about being honored to become an inductee of Canada’s Walk of Fame below.
Thrilled to announce @imTonyaWilliams as our 2025 Inductee in Arts & Entertainment! 🎥 Founder of Reelworld and known for her iconic role as Dr. Olivia Winters, Tonya’s 50-year career champions diversity in film. 🇨🇦 #TonyaWilliams pic.twitter.com/BaBDSxN9mZ
— Canada’s Walk of Fame (@CWOFame) November 21, 2024
For more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame, click here.