City of Vancouver
March 1, 2017- Seventeen exceptional citizens of Vancouver have been honoured at the annual Awards of Excellence ceremony, a City of Vancouver program that acknowledges outstanding civic achievements made by individuals, organizations and businesses. These awards celebrated the accomplishments of the people and groups whose efforts make Vancouver excellent. 

“I’m honoured to recognize this year’s Awards of Excellence recipients who have inspired a greener, healthier, more accessible and inclusive city,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “All nominees have dedicated their time to public service and we are incredibly grateful for the vital role they play in making our city an exceptional place to live and work.”

Nominations for five awards were open to everyone, from organizations making a difference in communities, tireless social leaders, and community groups building capacity, and enterprising youth and children. The sixth category, the Mayor’s Achievement Award, is not open for public nominations and recipients are selected by Mayor Robertson. The winners are as follows:

  • Civic Volunteer Award:
    • Individual: Lorna Gibbs
    • Youth: Shawna Turai
    • Organization: Brock Fahrni Volunteer Team
  • Greenest City Leadership Award:
    • Individual: Dr. Tara Moreau
    • Youth: Alvin Chan
    • Organization: Binners’ Project – Tides Canada Initiatives
  • Healthy City for All Award:
    • Individual: Dr. William (Bill) MacEwan
    • Youth: Vivian Tsang
    • Organization: Hastings Sunrise Community Policing Centre
  • Diversity and Inclusion Award:
    • Individual: Zool Suleman
    • Organization: Out On Screen Film and Video Society’s Out in Schools
  • Accessible City Award:
    • Individual: Trevor Mills
    • Organization: Physical Activity Research Centre (PARC)
  • Mayor’s Achievement Award:
    • Individual: Maxine Davis
    • Youth: Jesse Costucci-Phillips
    • Organization: Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia
  • Freedom of the City Award:
    • Mike Harcourt

Mayor Gregor Robertson and members of the Vancouver City Council were at the ceremony to present the awards.