Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guard

In 2025, three crossing guards – one each from Québec, Ontario and British Columbia – have been selected as contest winners.

The 2025 Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guard Contest drew a contest-record 814 nominations for 126 crossing guards from five provinces. The winners are: 

André Sauvé, École Léopold-Carrière, Les coteaux, Québec

André is known for his passion and joy: he is nicknamed monsieur sourire and monsieur bonheur (Mr. Smile, Mr. Happiness). His playful decorations that change with the seasons and holidays, his Minions and plush toys, all create a warm, visible landmark that catches drivers’ attention, calms anxious students and encourages everyone to follow the rules. Behind the fun lies something serious – André strengthens road awareness, builds trust and creates a sense of safety around the school. Beyond his duties, he is an advocate for anti-bullying and raises awareness about suicide prevention and local organizations that help children by displaying information at his crossing.

Khevin Enriquez, Huron Street Public School and Jesse Ketchum Public School, Toronto

Khevin’s professionalism and warmth make a remarkable difference at one of downtown Toronto’s busiest intersections. Even with heavy traffic and ongoing construction, he remains calm, friendly and attentive. He greets everyone with genuine kindness and ensures children, parents and pedestrians feel safe and cared for. He lifts people’s spirits, and teaches the children about safety in engaging, memorable ways. Outside his crossing duties, Khevin continues to give back by helping create arts-based programs and Filipino theatre productions that build community and celebrate culture.

Pat McDermott, Abbotsford School of Integrated Arts (ASIA) – North Poplar, Abbotsford, B.C.

For 25 years, Pat has worked in a high-traffic area and has to keep the traffic flow going safely, as it leads off a highway. He makes sure the children are safely crossing from two directions and is “tough with drivers who make stupid decisions and put pedestrians at risk.” He balances that toughness with friendliness and kindness to the students, who he knows by name and remembers who’s supposed to cross, and who’s supposed to wait at school for their parents. He’s also been tapped to train new crossing guards to learn from his experience and caring attitude.

Each winning guard receives $500, as does each of their schools. 

The 2025 contest judges

• Pamela Fuselli, President and CEO, Parachute 
• Stéphanie Fournier, Senior Vice President, Member and Client Relations and Direct Insurance, Personal Lines (Quebec), Desjardins General Insurance Group
• Dr. Richard Louis, Injury Prevention Specialist, NB Trauma Program, member of Parachute’s Expert Advisory Committee
• Marie-Ève Piché, Content Creator and TV host, @maman_cafeine
• Jenelle Smit, Digital Creator, @nellecreations

History of Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guard contest

Parachute, Canada’s national charity dedicated to injury prevention, launched this annual contest in 2005 to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of dynamic crossing guards who help keep our children safe. Since 2022, this contest has been supported by Desjardins Insurance, our exclusive road-safety partner. 

To date, Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guard Contest has honoured 63 crossing guards nationwide.