October 5, 2005
City of Toronto wins 25 Awards at Public Sector Quality Fair
The City of Toronto has won 25 awards for outstanding achievement in program and service delivery at the 2005 Public Sector Quality Fair. The province-wide Fair showcases service excellence in government, health care and education and has given a ringing endorsement of City programming with Toronto's submissions receiving eight gold awards, nine silver and eight bronze.
"This is only the second year the City has participated in the Fair and to receive such widespread recognition from a jury of our peers is an incredible achievement," said Toronto Mayor David Miller. "I am very proud of the leadership, innovation, and professionalism of the women and men who deliver these programs."
"Our outstanding showing at this year's Public Sector Quality Fair is a welcome recognition of the excellence of the Toronto Public Service," said City Manager Shirley Hoy. "Our success at the Fair reflects our ongoing commitment to improve and enhance service to the public."
The award winning programs are assessed against stringent criteria and must demonstrate leadership, planning, citizen/client focus, partnership and creative programming. For example:
- Dine Safe is unique in North America by inspecting food establishments and including on site posting of inspection notices
- Computers for Children is a unique partnership between the City and students from the Malvern community that will have long-ranging effects across Toronto
- In the four years since the introduction of the Salt Management Plan, salt application rates on local roads have been reduced by as much as 35 - 50 per cent
- The Toronto EMS Regional Advanced Care Paramedic Training Program, now in its third year, is internationally renowned and is accredited by the Canadian Medical Association
This year's Gold Award winners are Toronto's Food Premises Inspection and Disclosure System (Dine Safe), Toronto Heart Health Partnership's Strategic Planning Process for Phase II of the Ontario Heart Health Program: Taking Action for Healthy Living, Shelter Standards Quality Assurance Review, Real Time Internet Payment for City Services, Toronto Fun Online, Partnering to Enhance a Learning Organization: Working to Shape the City, Salt Management Plan, and Children's Garden and Exploring Toronto Programs.
The 2005 Public Sector Quality Fair will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2005 at the National Trade Centre at Exhibition Place. This year's theme is "The Power of Partnership." City Manager Shirley Hoy will be the luncheon speaker at the Fair.
For more background information on the Public Sector Quality Fair (PDF 78 Kb)
