2008 Saskatchewan Municipal Awards

The second annual Saskatchewan Municipal Awards program announced the winners on Friday, May 23, 2008, at the awards announcement luncheon at the Ramada Hotel in Regina . Over 120 delegates from across Saskatchewan were there, eager to find out which finalists would win, and to see what the second year would bring.

Keith Comstock, Municipal Affairs' Executive Director of Strategy and Stakeholder Relations, once again acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Greetings on behalf of the City of Regina were brought by Mayor Pat Fiacco, which was followed by a delicious meal.

Rick Morin, Manager of Commercial Lending for Affinity Credit Union, as the luncheon sponsor, began the ceremony by bringing greetings. The emcee then announced the first category.

Municipal Service Excellence

As Municipal Affairs sponsored the Municipal Service Excellence category, Minister Bill Hutchinson came forward to comment on the program and introduce the finalists. The winner of the 2008 Municipal Service Excellence award was the RM of Kindersley No. 290 for their “Kindersley East Rural Water Pipeline.” The finalist in this category was the Town of Carlyle for its “Creation of a Special Projects Coordinator Position.”

Economic Development Leadership

Saskatchewan Enterprise and Innovation was the sponsor of the Economic Development Leadership category, and Tony Baumgartner, Acting Director presented the award. The winner of the 2008 Economic Development Leadership award was the Northern Village of Buffalo Narrows, for the “Buffalo Narrows Economic Development Corporation.” Buffalo Narrows is the first Northern community to win a Saskatchewan Municipal Award. The RM of Britannia No. 502 was the finalist for its “Inter- and Intra-Municipal Economic Development project.”

Regional Leadership and Partnerships

SaskWater sponsored the Regional Leadership and Partnerships category, and Mart Cram, Vice-President of Operations presented the award. The Town of Rosthern, together with its partners, the Towns of Duck Lake, Waldheim, and Hague, RMs of Rosthern, Laird, and Duck Lake, the Village of Laird, and Beardy's & Okemasis First Nations, won the award with their “Joint Rescue Unit .” The RM of Canwood No. 494, together with the Big River, Mistawasis, and Ahtahkakoop First Nations, were the finalists for their “First Nations Access Road.”

Community Development Leadership

SUMA and SARM co-sponsored the Community Development Leadership category. Allan Earle, President of SUMA, and David Marit, President of SARM co-presented the award to the Town of St. Walburg for its “Liveable Communities – Community Engagement Strategy.” The RM of Gull Lake No. 139, together with their partners the RMs of Carmichael and Webb, and the Town of Gull Lake were finalists for their “Development of Senior Housing .”

Environmental Stewardship

Sponsored by Saskatchewan Environment, 2008 was the first year that this award was presented. Dave Phillips, Assistant Deputy Minister for Saskatchewan Environment presented the Town of Canora with this award for their “Source Water Protection Program.” The Town of Coronach was a finalist for their “ Working Towards a Greener Community and Public Awareness” project and the Town of Fort Qu'Appelle was a finalist for their “Sewage Treatment Facility – Ecosystem Protection” project.

Judges' Award

The final award of the event was the Judges' Award, which was presented by the Honourable Dr. Lynda Haverstock, who was the chair of the program selection committee. This award was created by the selection committee to honour a municipality whose practice demonstrates overall excellence and innovation. The winner of the 2008 Judges' Award was the Town of St. Walburg for its “Liveable Communities – Community Engagement Strategy.”

Congratulations to those municipalities who were presented with an award, and to those who took the time to submit a nomination this year. All nominations will be available online at http://www.communilink.sk.ca/bestpractice/index.html, as well as videos of each winning practice. Check out the Photo Gallery and theVideo Gallery for pictures and videos from the 2008 awards luncheon.

We hope you will consider showcasing your municipality with a municipal award in 2009!