Online Submission for OPWA Awards
Nominations are open!
The submission deadline is March 6, 2026!
Here is your opportunity to showcase your municipality’s or organization’s achievements, and to recognize outstanding projects and/or individuals in public works.
For the purpose of these awards, public works is defined as the physical structures and facilities that are developed, owned, and maintained by public agencies to house governmental functions and provide water, waste water, waste disposal, transportation, and similar public services.
Below is the full list of OPWA public works awards and their respective criteria.
Note: If there is any uncertainty of which award to submit for, please contact the OPWA Awards Committee for further assistance at chapteradmin@ontario.apwa.org
PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARDS:
| Project of the Year Awards were established to promote excellence in the management and administration of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant/ engineer, architect, and the contractor, who work together to complete public works projects.
Project Award Eligibility: To be eligible, a project must have been “substantially completed” and available for public and/or agency use, within two calendar years prior to nomination. If a project has multiple phases or segments, it is eligible if 90% is completed and available for public and/or agency use. A project may only be awarded “Project of the Year” once. |
Structures
As a Project of the Year Award, this recognition entails new public structures, or the preservation and/or rehabilitation of existing public structures including municipal buildings and parks. Other structures as defined in the Historical Restoration/ Preservation and Transportation categories shall not be considered in the Structures category.
Transportation
As a Project of the Year Award, this recognition entails roads, bridges, mass transit that serve any or all modes of travel, including multi-use pathways and methods active transportation. Other transportation projects as defined in the Historical Restoration/Preservation and Structures categories shall not be considered in the Transportation category.
Criteria Form – Transportation
Submission Form – Transportation
Historical Restoration/ Preservation
As a Project of the Year Award, this recognition entails historical restoration, preservation, and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, structures and facilities, that are 75 years or older to qualify as historical.
Criteria Form – Historical Restoration/ Preservation
Submission Form – Historical Restoration / Preservation
Environment
As a Project of the Year Award, this recognition entails treatment and recycling facilities, landfill reclamation projects, stormwater management, water and wastewater projects, climate change projects, biodiversity projects, pathways to net zero projects and any other project completed to positively impact the environment.
Disaster or Emergency Construction/ Repair
As a Project of the Year Award, this recognition entails projects completed in response to a disaster and/or emergency construction/ repair.
Criteria Form – Disaster or Emergency Construction/ Repair
Submission Form – Disaster or Emergency Construction/ Repair
Small Communities
As a Project of the Year Award, this recognition entails excellence in projects completed by small communities (populations of 50,000 or less) in any of the previous categories or for any other project completed that positively impacts the small community. Projects may be completed in partnership with entities such as small community volunteer groups, schools and non profit organizations.
Criteria Form – Small Communities
Submission Form – Small Communities
Management Innovation Award
To recognize a team, or organization for the development, implementation and management of a creative idea, innovative process or applied system that enhances the delivery of public works services to the public. A management innovation is defined as a procedure such as a system, program or process.
Criteria Form – Management Innovation Award
Submission Form – Management Innovation Award
Technical Innovation Award
To recognize a team, or organization for the development, implementation and management of a creative idea, innovative process or applied system that enhances the delivery of public works services to the public. A management innovation is defined as a procedure such as a system, program or process.
Criteria Form – Technical Innovation Award
Submission Form – Technical Innovation Award
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
Individual Award Eligibility: To be eligible, the candidate has to be nominated by the OPWA Chapter, its Branches, an OPWA Member or a managing public agency. The individual has to have contributed to the OPWA organization and meet the eligibility criteria listed in the form. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Top Public Works Leader of the Year Award
The Top Public Works Leader of the Year award seeks to inspire excellence and dedication in public service by recognizing the outstanding career service achievements of individual public works professionals and officials, from both the public and private sectors. The primary focus of the award is on career service to the public works profession rather than on any one single event or project.
Criteria Form – Top Public Works Leader of the Year Award
Submission Form – Top Public Works Leader of the Year Award
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award
The EDI Award aims to recognize the passion, dedication and engagement of individuals and teams who are committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in the public works industry. Celebrating full diversity, choosing to be equitable and a commitment to inclusivity will only strengthen the talent and creativity of public works.
This award will highlight individuals and their municipality or organization that see workplace equality as more than just policy and practice, and is something that runs throughout the very heart of what they do. Members of OPWA who provide public works services will be recognized for their outstanding leadership supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion in their organizations and in the services that they provide to communities.
Criteria Form – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award
Submission Form – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award
Joe Johnson Sr Private Sector Service Award
Established (2001) to acknowledge the important role the private sector plays in providing public works facilities and services. This award recognizes outstanding individual achievement through chapter activity and outstanding corporate achievement in support of the association’s strategic plan, goals, and objectives.
Criteria Form – Joe Johnson Sr Private Sector Service Award
Submission Form – Joe Johnson Sr Private Sector Service Award
Wally Wells Young Leader Award
Established (2001) to recognize and encourage young OPWA members who have demonstrated an initial commitment to the profession and the association and show potential for future growth within the association. The award promotes the concept that length of career does not necessarily indicate leadership abilities or potential for service.
Criteria Form – Wally Wells Young Leader Award
Submission Form – Wally Wells Young Leader Award
Pat (Patricia) McDonald Distinguished Community Involvement Award
Established (2000) in memory of Pat McDonald to recognize Public Works professionals who are also leaders in their community. To encourage Public Works professionals to become active leaders in their community. To instill public trust through recognition of outstanding community leadership by Public Works professionals. To set the example for other Public Works professionals to emulate.
This award was created to recognize individuals within the Public Works profession who perpetuate the spirit and unselfish devotion and commitment to one’s community that was exemplified by Pat McDonald during her lifetime.
Criteria Form – Pat (Patricia) McDonald Distinguished Community Involvement Award
Submission Form – Pat (Patricia) McDonald Distinguished Community Involvement Award
Terry Hardy Exemplary Service Award
The Terry Hardy Exemplary Service Award was established in 2019 in memory of Terry Hardy who was active in the Ontario Chapter throughout his career. He served in numerous roles including Chapter President and also as the Executive Director.
Criteria Form – Terry Hardy Exemplary Service Award
Submission Form – Terry Hardy Exemplary Service Award
Supplier and Service Provider of the Year Award
Established (2018) to acknowledge the important role that suppliers and service providers play in providing public works facilities and services. This award recognizes outstanding corporate achievement by a supplier or service provider in support of the association’s strategic plan, goals, and objectives.
This award presents an exciting opportunity for suppliers and service providers to showcase their contribution and the valuable work they provide to Public Works.
Criteria Form – Supplier and Service Provider of the Year Award
Submission Form – Supplier and Service Provider of the Year Award
Operations Excellence Award
Our public works professionals are in the field every day dealing with a multitude of tasks. This award is to recognize the hard working individuals that have done something extraordinary or demonstrated excellence in public works operations. They have made a difference by responding to a citizen in distress, a major event in the community, or lifting up their team in a way not typically expected. OPWA wants to recognize the great commitment and dedication these workers have demonstrated to their communities, peers and employers.
Criteria Form – Operations Excellence Award
Submission Form – Operations Excellence Award
TAKE A LOOK AT PAST WINNERS
The OPWA Awards recognize outstanding achievements in public works across Ontario.
Click the image below to read that year’s awards booklet and find out about projects or people recognized for innovation, excellence, and community impact.
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