Our Awards

The Town of Ladysmith prides itself on its continuous improvement and innovation and has received numerous provincial and national awards and honours over the years.

Below is a list of all the awards and honours the Town has received over the past 20 years.

Business & Economic Development
  • 2019 – Brownie Award – “Reach Out” Category for public engagement around the Waterfront Area Plan — Canadian Brownfields Network (Brownie Awards)
  • 2019 – Finalist, Open for Business Awards — Recognized for fostering small business success and adopting best practices
  • 2011 – Most Small Business Friendly Community Award — Vancouver Island / Coast Region
  • 2011 – Community Excellence Awards – Partnerships (Honourable Mention) — Union of BC Municipalities
Community & Culture
  • 2018 – Best Community Celebration (Population Under 100,000) — Public Works Association of BC (PWABC)
  • 2017 – Canada’s Greatest Street (1st Avenue) — Canadian Institute of Planners (Great Places in Canada)
  • 2017, 2007 – Guinness World Record — Largest Street Hockey Tournament in One Day
  • 2003 – Communities in Bloom – First Place Award (Population 5,001–10,000)
  • 2002 – Communities in Bloom – Special Mention, Floral Displays (Population 5,001–20,000)
Engineering & Infrastructure
  • 2018 – Award for Engineering Excellence for the Wastewater Treatment Plant — Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC-BC)
  • 2007 – Green City Awards Finalist
  • 2007 – “Get Active” Step Challenge Award — Vancouver Island Health Authority
Environmental Leadership
  • 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 – Canada’s Greenest Employers — Canada’s Top 100 (Canada’s Top 100)
  • 2007 – Sustainable Communities Award – Solid Waste Category for the Organic Curb-Side Collection Program — Federation of Canadian Municipalities
  • 2006 – Community Excellence Award – Best Practices Category for the Organic Waste Collection Program — Union of BC Municipalities
  • 2006 – Public Sector Recognition Award for environmental stewardship — Recycling Council of British Columbia
Planning & Policy
  • 2024 – Excellence in Policy Planning – Small Town & Rural Areas Award for the new Official Community Plan — Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC)
  • 2018 – Excellence in Policy Planning – Small Town & Rural Areas Award for the Waterfront Area Plan — Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC)
  • 2009 – Canadian Institute of Planners Award in Excellence (Rural / Small Town Planning) — Ladysmith Sustainable Community Visioning Project