The Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ community excellence awards presented Sept. 14 recognized eight municipalities for excellence in governance, service delivery, asset management and sustainability.
The awards, begun in 2004, are intended to showcase outstanding initiatives, and share them with other members to implement in their own communities. They were announced as part of the organization's annual convention being held virtually this week.
In 2021, a new category was added: the presidents committee choice award. This category recognizes a community the UBCM presidents committee believed deserved special recognition for its outstanding response to the pandemic.
“The unique circumstances that communities across B.C. faced during this difficult time brought to light many innovative ways that local governments adapted to the impact of COVID-19,” the UBCM said in a statement.
The award was taken by the City of Coquitlam for its Community Support and Recovery Plan.
Kelowna won the excellence in governance award for its Community Vision and OURWK programs.
Surrey won the excellence in service delivery award for its Urban Forest Resources for Outdoor Learning program while the City of Richmond received honourable mention for works yard recycling depot upgrades.
The excellence in sustainability aware went to Nanaimo for its complete streets engineering standards and design guidelines while the City of New Westminster received honourable mention for its Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action program.
The excellence in asset management award went to qathet Regional District for its Natural Asset Solution for Stormwater Runoff program. The District of Highlands received an honourable mention for its Sustainable Asset Management program.
Formed in 1905, the UBCM and its convention provide a platform for local government leaders to establish policy directions for UBCM’s engagement with the provincial and federal governments.
