2007 Green City Award Winners Announced
Seven outstanding communities were selected as recipients of the provincial government’s inaugural Green City Awards, for demonstrating leadership and action in a range of environmental sustainability initiatives.
Premier Gordon Campbell announced the winning communities Sept. 26, 2007 at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver.
The $2.5 million Green City Awards program commits $500,000 in cash awards each year, over five years, for leading green communities.
- Read complete news release and backgrounder
- Complete list of finalists
- To view videos of the finalists, go to the Community Gallery.
The 2007 Green City Award winners showed excellence across a wide range of sustainability criteria.
The winners and highlights from their submissions are:
- Nanaimo Regional District is noted for its development pattern including urban containment and emphasis on regional transit, solid and liquid waste management;
- Capital Regional District – Salt Spring Island for action on its official community plan which promotes compact, pedestrian friendly development;
- Town of Oliver for dealing effectively with the challenges of water management including reclaiming 100 per cent of wastewater and using it for agricultural purposes;
- Resort Municipality of Whistler for its exemplary planning and development which balances protection of the natural environment and tourism economy promotion;
- City of Dawson Creek for its community energy planning and actions including conservation and developing alternative sources;
- City of North Vancouver for implementing its official community plan which is based on smart growth principles; and
- City of Vancouver for the overall quality of its planning and urban design, resulting in high liveability and investment.
Nominated communities were evaluated on criteria including a triple bottom line — liveability, climate change, innovation and transferability.
The winning communities were chosen from 17 finalist local governments, based on input and review from Ministry of Community Services staff, other provincial ministries and an expert panel of leading specialists in sustainability and the green development sector.