Awards

Our organization has received many awards that highlight our efforts to make Kelowna a City of the Future. We have been recognized for our strong financial management practices, visionary initiatives surrounding the environment, housing, technology, public input and community inclusiveness, and our commitment to following industry best practices.

2022

Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): 2021 Annual Report

This is the 20th consecutive year the City has received the award recognition excellence in governmental accounting and reporting.

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): 2022 Financial Plan

This is the 21st consecutive year the City has received the highest form of recognition for governmental budgeting.

2021

Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): 2020 Annual Report

This is the 19th consecutive year the City has received the award recognition excellence in governmental accounting and reporting.

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): 2021 Financial Plan

This is the 20th consecutive year the City has received the highest form of recognition for governmental budgeting.

2020

Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): 2019 Annual Report

This is the 18th consecutive year the City has received the award recognition excellence in governmental accounting and reporting.

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): 2020 Financial Plan

This is the 19th consecutive year the City has received the highest form of recognition for governmental budgeting.

Top 50 Government Fleet, Government Fleet Magazine

The City of Kelowna was one of only five Canadian municipalities named to the top 50.

Tree Cities of the World Recognition, United Nations and Arbor Day Foundation

The City of Kelowna was named one of 120 Tree Cities of the World for 2020.

Wow (Widening our World) Award, Community Living BC

Award received for staff efforts to maintain connection and recreation to the City's diverse-abilities client group during COVID-19 recreation facility and programming closures and interruptions.

Age-Friendly BC Recognition, BC Ministry of Health

2019

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): 2018 Financial Plan

The 17th year in a row we’ve received this award, which is the highest form of recognition for governmental budgeting. Our 2019 Financial Plan is currently under review by the GFOA for this award.

Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, GFOA: 2017 Financial Statements

The 16th consecutive year we’ve received the award, which recognizes excellence in governmental accounting and reporting.

Age-Friendly BC Recognition, BC Ministry of Health

Recognized the work we have achieved through the Community For All Action Plan and how Kelowna uniquely offers opportunities for seniors, people of all ages and abilities to stay active, enjoy good health and connect with their community.

BC Climate Action Community – Climate Leader, Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ Green Communities Committee

Recognized our efforts to undertake climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Award of Excellence, Esri Canada: Model City parcel-based GIS tool

Our Model City tool creates a digital twin of Kelowna to pool property data to advance evidence-based decisions.

Gold Quill Award of Merit, International Association of Business Communicators: Pick Your Path to 2040

Pick Your Path was an interactive “choose your own adventure” style activity and questionnaire that allowed residents to give feedback on possible growth scenarios. Results were used in the Official Community Plan and Transportation Master Plan updates.

Gold Award for Excellence in Planning, Planning Institute of British Columbia: Equity and Inclusion in Housing Needs Assessments

The document represents an innovative approach to understanding housing needs of our community - both today and into the future.

BC Client of the Year, 2019 Association of Consulting Engineering Companies

Recognized our commitment following industry best practices.

2019 City of Excellence Award for Safety from around buried utilities, BC Municipal Safety Association

Presented with the Education Award in recognition of our collaborative efforts with FortisBC to promote safe excavation practices.

2018

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association: 2018 Financial Plan

The 17th year in a row we’ve received this award, which is the highest form of recognition for governmental budgeting.

 Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, GFOA: 2016 Financial Statements

The 15th consecutive year we’ve received the award, which recognizes excellence in governmental accounting and reporting.

Top place in British Columbia to open a small business, Canadian Federation of Independent Business 

 Our policy framework was noted as a facilitator.

 2018 Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award, Public Works Association of British Columbia

 Excellence in Risk Management Award, Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia (MIABC)

 Recognized for bringing independent accreditation (quality assurance) to the Development Services Department

 2018 Smart21 Community, Intelligent Community Forum (ICF)

The ICF SMART21 Communities of the Year program recognizes the best models of economic, social and cultural development in the digital age.

2017

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): 2017 Financial Plan

The 16th year in a row we’ve received this award, which is the highest form of recognition for governmental budgeting.

Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, GFOA: 2016 Financial Statements

The 14th consecutive year we have received this award, which recognizes excellence in governmental accounting and reporting.

Community Institutional Project and Judge’s Choice Award, Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards: Kelowna Police Services building

2017 Smart21 Community, Intelligent Community Forum (ICF)

The ICF SMART21 Communities of the Year program recognizes the best models of economic, social and cultural development in the digital age.

PERC Award for Management Innovation and Ingenuity, 2016 BCRPA Provincial Awards: Strong Neighbourhoods Program

The award is presented to a project or program that has demonstrated creativity in its objectives and implementation, demonstrating benefits that are new to the community being served, and creating opportunities for other organizations to adapt it for implementation in other settings.

WorkSafe BC Certificate of Recognition with $190,000 premium rebate

2016

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): 2016 Financial Plan

The 15th year in a row we’ve received this award, which is the highest form of recognition for governmental budgeting.

Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, GFOA: 2015 Financial Statements

The 13th consecutive year we have received this award, which recognizes excellence in governmental accounting and reporting.

PERC Award for Management Innovation and Ingenuity, 2015 BCRPA Provincial Awards: Strong Neighbourhoods Program

The award is presented to a project or program that has demonstrated creativity in its objectives and implementation, demonstrating benefits that are new to the community being served, and creating opportunities for other organizations to adapt it for implementation in other settings.

2016 CHBA Tommie Silver Award finalist – Best outside of the box, CHBA Okanagan: Queensway Transit Exchange (Sawchuk Developments)

Distinguished Member Award, LGMA: Ron Mattiussi (City Manager)

Recognized the extraordinary contribution of a member to the Association or to a local government or organization, and to their high ethical standards.

Best of the Okanagan, Urban Development Institute Awards for Excellence: Queensway Transit Exchange (Sawchuk Developments)

2015

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA): 2015 Financial Plan

The 14th year in a row we’ve received this award, which is the highest form of recognition for governmental budgeting.

Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, GFOA: 2014 Financial Statements

The 12th consecutive year we have received this award, which recognizes excellence in governmental accounting and reporting.

2015 William Templeton Trophy, B.C. Aviation Council: Kelowna International Airport 

Awarded annually for outstanding initiative and achievement in the continuous and successful development of a community airport.

Employer Support Award, Canadian Forces Liaison Council: Kelowna International Airport

Kelowna International Airport was recognized for the support it provided to Canadian Forces Operations: International.

Award of Excellence (Community Institutional), Southern Interior Construction Association: Queensway Transit Exchange (Sawchuk Developments)

Award of Merit, Southern Interior Construction Association: Kelowna YMCA renovations

Great Places in Canada Contest winner, Canadian Institute of Planners: Stuart Park

Best presentation of theme and Local Government awards, North American Occupational Safety & Health week (B.C. chapter)

Maintained WorkSafeBC Certificate of Recognition in Occupational Health & Safety