Ruth Robillard named CTV Regina’s 2025 Citizen of the Year

Ruth Robillard named 2025 CTV Regina's Citizen of the year.

Ruth Robillard has been named CTV Regina’s Citizen of the Year for 2025.

With a teaching career spanning over 50 years, Robillard has worked in high schools and for adult literacy programs from Saskatchewan to Oregon.

Beginning in 1966, she spent 30 years with the Regina Public School Board, also serving as a valuator for Saskatchewan’s English Departmental Examinations. She taught for three years in the Eugene School District in Oregon, has worked at St. Michael School and Holy Rosary School, and has also contributed to youth programming at the Rainbow Youth Centre in Regina.

Most recently, Robillard worked at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology, where she developed culturally grounded programs.

Robillard, who grew up in Beaver Flats, Sask. as the youngest of 13 children, is also no stranger to community service, having served as director of Friends on the Outside (FOTO) and on the Board of Regents at Campion College.

As part of her work for 25 years with FOTO, a support group for incarcerated people, Robillard would organize group meetings, creating positive contacts and friendships with those involved.

Deacon Arron Polk, a Chaplain at the Regina Correctional Centre, described the positive impact Robillard made on the program.

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“Ruth is a believer that education is a major part of the answer to recidivism among offenders. Her efforts and contacts have led some men on to furthering their education at SIIT and the University of Regina,” he said.

“Ruth’s heart was evident in all she did, often with her husband, Albert at her side.”

Through her work in the community, Robillard has also supported programs in First Nations and Metis communities and has also contributed to reconciliation work with the Archdiocese of Regina.

In a nomination letter to CTV Regina, Robillard’s friend Lori Garchinski describes her as a woman who makes life better for everyone she meets.

“Ruth has been guided by compassion, perseverance, and the belief that every person deserves the chance to thrive,” she wrote.

Robillard has also been recognized with the St. Edmund Campion Medal, YWCA Women of Distinction Award, and Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism Volunteer Award.

This is the 23rd year that CTV Regina has offered the Citizen of the Year Award.

Past recipients

Previous winners of the CTV Regina Citizen of the Year Award include Dr. Chris Ekong in 2024, Jada Yee in 2023, and Aura Lee MacPherson in 2022.