Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. The following is a partial list of these awards and the associations or organizations that have awarded them.

2011  |   2010  |   2009  |   2008  |   2007  |   2006  |   2005  |   2004

2011

City of Toronto

The City of Toronto's Lawrence Allen Revitalization Plan received an Excellence in Planning Award in the Municipal Statutory Planning Studies, Reports and Documents category from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI). The award was presented at a ceremony in Ottawa on October 13. The OPPI also recognized the City's Avenues & Mid-Rise Buildings Study with a 2011 Excellence in Planning award in the Community Planning and Development Studies/Reports category.

Toronto ranked #12 in among the top cities to live, work and play for the innovation economy in the Innovation Cities™ Top 100 Index of global innovation economy, conducted by the Australian consulting innovation analysts, 2thinknow. Toronto was the only top 25 ranked city, and second to only Boston (#1), San Francisco (#7) and Washington DC (#23) of North American cities ranked in the study.

Toronto in the top 10 American Cities of the Future
In its first American Cities of the Future 2011/12 report, fDiIntelligence (a division of the Financial Times) awarded Toronto seven top 10 rankings including city of the future (#4), economic potential (#3), infrastructure (#5) and quality of life. fDiIntelligence provides industry leading insight into globalization that allow organizations to make informed decisions about foreign direct investment and associated activities.

In the March 2011 Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 9), Toronto has risen from 12th place to equal 10th with Sydney, Australia and is considered the clear leader in Canada. Toronto remains among the top three global leaders in North America. The GFCI 9 report evaluated the competitiveness of 75 financial centres worldwide.

The Economist Intelligence Unit again ranked Toronto fourth in the world in 2011 for liveability, following Vancouver, Vienna and Melbourne. This is the second time Toronto has received this ranking from the Economist Intelligent Unit. The annual survey rates 140 cities worldwide across five categories: stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.

The City placed second in the fourth annual Cities of Opportunity, a report from Price Waterhouse Coopers and the Partnership for New York City. This year, the report covers 26 cities and presents in-depth results covering all 10 indicators and 66 variables. The city received high marks for livability.

For the second year in a row, the City of Toronto was named the most sustainable large city in Canada, according to Corporate Knights Magazine. Corporate Knights assessed cities using five categories: Ecological Integrity, Economic Security, Governance and Empowerment, Infrastructure and Built Environment, and Social Well-Being.

The City of Toronto received two awards from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). The City's communications campaigns for Solid Waste Management were selected to receive the 2011 Gold Communications Excellence Award and the 2011 Bronze Marketing Excellence Award.

The City of Toronto's Walking Strategy won an award from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for excellence, leadership and innovation in the transportation category. The program aims to build a physical and cultural environment that supports and encourages walking.

Animal Services

The Summit for Urban Animal Strategies has recognized the City of Toronto's Animal Services with a 2011 Summit for Urban Strategies Award in the "Animal Homing" category. This award recognizes innovation, commitment and extraordinary effort in "homing" animals through adoption, partnership and fostering programs.

Children’s Services

Children's Services was recognized for Municipal Child Care Services by the University of Guelph-Humber for contributions to the field of early learning through the provision of placements and support for students.

City Clerk's Office

City Clerk's new browser application http://www.toronto.ca/council has won multiple awards for improving access to local government through the use of technology, including the 2011 Willis Award for Innovation for a community with a population over 100,000 by the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA); the EA Danby Award for Excellence in Municipal Administration for cities with more than 20,000 residents; and the Municipal Information Systems Association (MISA) Ontario Award to recognize significant initiatives in the category of Service to Citizens.

Economic Development and Culture

BizPal Team won the 2011 GTEC Distinction Award in the Excellence in the Public Service Delivery Category.

Toronto Film and Television Office (TFTO) Brochure placed third for ""Direct Marketing Piece" - Annual International Locations Trade Show at The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) Marketing Awards.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The City of Toronto's Emergency Medical Services (Toronto EMS) has won the coveted 2011 International Trauma Life Support Patient Care Competition held recently in Nashville, Tennessee. The Toronto EMS team competed against six teams from Canada, the United States, Japan and Slovenia.

Toronto Employment and Social Services

TESS won the Crystal Award from George Brown College in recognition of the professional placement opportunities TESS provided to 32 Career and Work Counselor Program Students.

Facilities Management

Nathan Phillips Square Revitalization - Podium Roof Gardens received honourable mention under the Small Open Spaces category at the 2011 Toronto Urban Design Awards.

Design, Construction & Asset Preservation/Energy & Strategic Initiatives received the 2011 Regional Honours Award from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects for the Nathan Philips Square Podium Green Roof Garden.

Facilities Operations, Corporate Security/Facility Operations was recognized as one of the 500 best managed security organizations in the world by Security Magazine. Dwaine Nichol also received the CSO Compass Award.

Toronto Fire Services

City of Toronto Fire Services has been named the winner of the 2011 International Tony Pini Award for "Diversity and Inclusion in the Fire Service." Toronto Fire Services will receive the award at the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Fire Rescue International Conference on August 25 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Toronto Fire Service Career Preparation Course, a collaboration of TFS, Toronto Employment & Social Services, and Parks, Forestry and Recreation, received the City Manager's Award for Toronto Public Service Excellence - Cross-Corporate Project Award.

Long Term Care Homes & Services 

Lakeshore Lodge won the 2011 Diamond Award in the Etobicoke Guardian's Survey, Best Retirement Residence, and the 2011 Platinum Award from the Bloor West Villager.

All 10 of the City's long-term care homes have been recognized with inaugural Residents First Awards. Each home has been involved in quality improvement initiatives. Residents First is an innovative and comprehensive quality improvement initiative that supports long-term care homes in Ontario in providing an environment for their residents that enhances their quality of life.

Seneca College Award for Contribution, Commitment and Dedication to Clinical Nursing Education, 2011.

Make A Chair Available presented by Toronto Employment & Social Services for offering the greatest quantity of employment opportunities to individuals receiving assistance, 2011.

Innovation and Excellence Award in Supporting Seniors from the Ontario Association of Non-profit Homes and Services for Seniors.

Parks, Forestry and Recreation

Toronto Fire Service Career Preparation Course, a collaboration of  TFS, Toronto Employment & Social Services and Parks, Forestry and Recreation, received the City Manager's Award for Toronto Public Service Excellence - Cross-Corporate Project Award.

City Planning

Toronto Urban Design Streetscape Manual received the City Manager's Award for Toronto Public Service Excellence - Cross-Corporate Project Team Award.

Toronto Public Health

Sylvanus Thompson won the Health Environments - National Sanitation Foundation - Food Safety Award 2011.

Chronic Disease Prevention and partner organization Creating Health Education won the CHCH Community Partnership Award from the Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts at George Brown College. The award is presented to an organization or organizational leaders who exemplify high standards in contributing to furthering Hospitality and Culinary Arts training in the Greater Toronto Area.

Dinesafe restaurant inspection and disclosure program won the Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award for providing outstanding food protection services.

2010

Affordable Housing Office

Harold Green Building (Verdiroc Development Corporation) won the Housing Award Best practices in Affordable Housing: Recognizing Leadership from the Private Sector from Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation

60 Richmond St. East won the PUG Award for Best New Residential Building.

Children’s Services

Children’s Services received a Diversity Award from COSTI.

CSIS on the Web won the Excellence in Municipal System Award at the Municipal Information Systems Association Conference.

City Planning

Jeff Cantos and Christian Ventresca won the U of T Outstanding Service Award. The award recognizes Jeff and Christian's active involvement in the Planning Alumni Committee (PAC), which is dedicated to enriching the learning experiences of graduate planning students.

Bird-Friendly Development Guidelines won the Excellence in Planning Award in the Communication/Public Education category from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI). This award recognizes innovation, creativity, professionalism, problem-solving and communications initiatives within the Province's planning profession.

Bird-Friendly Development Working Group and Development Guidelines won the CUI Award for City Planning Publication. The guidelines incorporate the needs of migratory birds into the Site Plan Review process with respect to lighting, glass and other bird-friendly design features.

City Planning & Toronto Building

Building Green in Toronto - Toronto Green Standard and Toronto Green Roof By-law won the National Municipal Environment Award at the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) Environmental Awards, earning the City national recognition.

Economic Development and Culture

"Doors Open Toronto" Museums and Heritage Services won Outstanding Achievement (Marketing Category) from the Canadian Museum Association.

Dream Up Small Business Forum won the Business Development Event Campaign Marketing Award from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario.

Brownfields Redevelopment of the Wychwood Project (Cultural Affairs) won the Municipal Award for Sustainability - Adaptive Reuse of the Industrial Heritage Wychwood Car Barns from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

311 Toronto received a bronze award in the First Annual Lagan Innovation Awards program (Fall 2010). The award was presented for 311 Toronto's innovative approach to the use and design of the Knowledge Base. As the largest and most extensive user of Lagan's knowledge solution, 311 had to creatively modify the software to make it work effectively for the City.

EMS

EMS team won the Silver Award at the International Trauma Life Support Competition in Reno, Nevada.

Jennifer Shield, John Klich, Dr. Michael Feldman, Maud Huiskamp, and Don Reid won the Dutch Open-Ambulance Competition. Twenty-four Dutch teams as well as one team each from Belgium, Germany, Canada, Israel and Norway completed a day long test of their pre-hospital medical skills. Canada’s entry, Toronto EMS was the overall winner.

Rahul Singh was named one of Time Magazine's Top 40 under 40 for his volunteer work. In his role as executive director and founder of Global Medic, a not-for-profit foundation formed in honour of a close friend, he helps to strengthen the delivery of emergency medical services to the developing world. Most recently, his work in Haiti brought him national and international attention and honours resulting in his nomination and then selection by Time Magazine as one of the world's top 100 most influential leaders. He was also honoured as one of Canada's Top 40 under 40.

Information Technology

GIS (Geographic Information System) won the Award of Excellence from ESRI Canada for its outstanding achievements in the application of the geographic information system. The City recently used GIS to provide municipal information to the public as part of its open data initiative.

Long-Term Care Homes & Services

Dimitra Jonavovich (Nurse) - Castleview Wychwood Towers, received a nomination for Excellence in Nursing for the Annual Nightingale Award and won Honourable Mention in the Toronto Star (May 8, 2010).

True Davidson Acres won an Award of Recognition for "Bringing Generations Together" from Toronto Inter-generational Partnerships. For two consecutive years, this long-term care home has been recognized for its commitment and creativity in inter-generational programming.

Parks, Forestry & Recreation

“Prescription for Physical Activity” - Recreation Branch - (spearheaded by Mari Caravaggio) won the 2010 PRO Innovation Award from PRO/Parks and Recreation Ontario.

Janet Hilts - Supervisor, Community Recreation - ARC Programs won the 2010 HIGH FIVE Champion Award from PRO/Parks and Recreation Ontario. This award is presented to an outstanding individual who has supported and inspired the implementation of HIGH FIVE in their organizations.

“Get Growing Toronto! Urban Agriculture in our City” - The City of Toronto’s Feature Garden - (Collaborative effort with Toronto Environment Office; Transportation Services (Public Realm); Toronto Community Housing; Toronto Water; City Planning; Solid Waste Management; and Toronto Public Health) won for Outstanding use of Annuals and Perennials at Canada Blooms.

Parks & Recreation won the Corporate Partner Award for support in the Fields of Gold Program from the Canadian Cancer Society.

Solid Waste Management Services

Each year the Newspaper Advertising Extra Awards honour outstanding newspaper advertising in Canada. Solid Waste Management won bronze for their "Proper Disposal of Propane Tanks" advertisement in the Public Services and Advocacy Category.

Toronto Fire Services

Chief William Stewart was named Full Time Fire Chief of the Year by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. The award recognizes outstanding contributions made to the betterment of the individual's community and of the fire services industry. Chief Stewart began his 37-year career with Toronto Fire Service as an operations fire fighter, progressing through the ranks to assume the role of Fire Chief in May 2003.

Pipes and Drums Band won the Honourable Lincoln Alexander Pipe Band Award.

Toronto Public Health

“Get Growing Toronto! Urban Agriculture in our City” - The City of Toronto’s Feature Garden - (Collaborative effort with Toronto Environment Office; Transportation Services (Public Realm); Toronto Community Housing; Toronto Water; City Planning; Solid Waste Management; and Parks, Forestry & Recreation) won for Outstanding use of Annuals and Perennials - * Best Overall Use of Plant Material at Canada Blooms. *Universal Access Award (recognizing the most accessible feature garden)

Toronto Water

The Water Meter Program won the IT Award of Excellence. The program involves the replacement of all old water meters in residences and businesses with modern meters that use radio frequency transmitters to send consumption data from the meters to data collection units and onto the City's data centre.

Mike D'Andrea won the GTSWCA (Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association) Infrastructure Award of Excellence.

The City's Basement Flooding Protection Program won the 2010 Watershed Award from the FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) and Insurance Bureau of Canada. This new annual awards program recognizes municipal achievements and leadership in watershed management, adaptation to climate change and sustainable community development.

City of Toronto

The City was selected as one of Greater Toronto's top 90 Employers in 2010.

2009

Streets to Homes - IPAC Gold Award

WychwoodCar Barns - Best of Show Award/Ontario Association of Architects

NuitBlanche - Best Art Event/NOW Magazine's Critics' Pick

Parks, Forestry & Recreation's "City Within A Park" Celebrating 175 Years - won three awards at Canada Blooms

Facilities & Real Estate's Arenas Energy Retrofit project won the award for 2009 Energy Project of the Year: International presented by the Association of Energy Engineers

Government Finance Officers Association
The Finance Division received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) award for the Financial Reporting Program (CAnFR Program) for its 2008 Annual Financial Report. This award reflects North American best practices for annual financial reporting. Winners of the prestigious award are recognized for exceeding requirements as set by the Public Sector Accounting Board of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, and for producing comprehensive annual financial reports with the highest level of transparency and full disclosure.

Economic Developers Association of Canada's president's award was presented to Carl Knipfel, manager of marketing in the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism division

Canadian Urban Institute's 2009 Urban Leadership Award in the City Soul category was presented to Doors Open Toronto staff. Karen Black, Manager of Museum Services and Jane French, Project Manager, were recognized for their role in bringing Doors Open to North America and inspiring cities across Canada and the USA to open their doors in celebration of their notable, unique buildings.

2009 Showcase Ontario awards

Diamond Awards:

• Employment and Social Services division for the Web Access to Your Services (WAYS) system. WAYS was designed to improve access to services for clients of the Ontario Works program. It provides a fast, hassle-free experience for the applicant and features an anonymous eligibility estimator, an online appointment scheduler, and information on services and benefits.
• Toronto Emergency Medical Services for the Electronic Patient Care Reporting System that dramatically improves their ability to respond to community and global health issues

• Shelter, Support and Housing Administration for service directories: Welcome Home and Guide to Services
• Court Services for Toronto Courts Online Scheduling Inquiry
• Children's Services for CSIS on the Web
• Facilities and Real Estate for Solar Utility
• Employment and Social Services for Employment Services System

2008

Public Sector Quality Fair
In 2008, the Toronto Public Service won 45 Public Sector Quality Fair awards.

Joe Pennachetti recipient of 2008 Excellence in Municipal Finance Award
City Manager Joe Pennachetti is the 2008 recipient of the Excellence in Municipal Finance Award. The Municipal Finance Officers' Association of Ontario presents the award annually to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the municipal sector in the field of finance. Joe is well known for his long-standing commitment to developing comprehensive, long-term financial plans for the municipalities where he has worked and is known for his innovative thinking. Joe's willingness to share his experiences, materials and ideas with his colleagues makes him a natural leader. As a result, the association has benefited from the leadership of the City of Toronto on a number of issues such as legislative reform, property taxation, new revenue sources and long-range financial planning.

2008 Ontario Lieutenant Governor's Medal of Distinction in Public Administration awarded to Shirley Hoy
On November 27, 2008, Lieutenant Governor David C. Onley presented Shirley Hoy with the Lieutenant Governor's Medal of Distinction in Public Administration. This prestigious medal is awarded annually to an individual who has shown distinguished leadership in public administration, or who, by writings and other endeavours, has made a significant contribution in the field of public administration in Ontario. The selection criteria for the Medal of Distinction include leadership, innovation and creativity, accomplishment and impact, dedication and sustained effort and contribution to the profession and the community.

2007

Public Sector Quality Fair
In 2007, the Toronto Public Service won 24 Public Sector Quality Fair awards.

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)-CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Award
For green roof initiatives such as the Green Roof Incentive Pilot Program

Urban Leadership Award for City Initiatives by the Canadian Urban Institute
Award given for Nuit Blanche 2006 --the city's free all-night exploration of Toronto through contemporary art

Crystal Award by the Radio Marketing Bureau of Canada
The award recognizes the best in Canadian radio advertising and was awarded to the City for its gum litter campaign under the Clean and Beautiful City initiative.

Toronto ranked #1 bu fDi magazine
fDi magazine (Foreign Direct Investment) ranked Toronto's quality of life as #1 in North America.

2006

ESM Web
Gold Award for Innovation in Geographic Information Systems from Urban and Regional Information System Association, Ontario Chapter.

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)-CH2M HILL Sustainable Community Award
Solid waste leadership

Public Sector Quality Fair
In 2006, the Toronto Public Service won 17 Public Sector Quality Fair awards.

2005

Best Canadian City for Foreign Direct Investment Promotion
Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) Magazine

Best Canadian City fr IT and Telecoms
Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) Magazine

Best Canadian City for Quality of Life
Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) Magazine

Best Canadian City for Transport
Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) Magazine

Canadian City of the Future
Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) Magazine

Community Links Program - Fudger House
Innovation & Excellence - Supporting Seniors, Ontario Association of Non-profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS)

kids@computers Scholarship Project
Willis Award for Innovation, Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA)

Public Sector Quality Fair
In 2005, the Toronto Public Service won 25 Public Sector Quality Fair awards.

Role Model - Cummer Lodge
George Brown College

Stand up for Kids Awards
Awarded to Toronto Public Health

Toronto Community Service Volunteer Award, Housing and Homelessness Support Services category
Awarded to Toronto Public Health for Caring Alliance

Toronto Mono Viewer 2 (TMV2)
Citation by Toronto Police Services, Emergency Task Force to Mapping Services

Toronto Social Services Data Mart Project
Excellence in Municipal Systems Award, Municipal Information Systems Association (MISA)

Toronto Water Integrated Network Skeletonizations (TWINS)
Bentley Empowered (BE) Award of Excellence, Geospatial Category - Public Works

2004

2004 Public Communications Achievement Award, American Water Works Association
Awarded to Toronto Water

3D Topographic Mapping Program
Bentley Empowered (BE) Award of Excellence, Geospatial Category - Extreme Mapping

Certificate of Merit from Canadian Public Health Association
Awarded to Toronto Public Health for exception contribution in managing the SARS crisis

City of Toronto - Building Construction Dates Map
Award of Excellence in Cartography, International Cartographic Association

City of Toronto - Enterprise Stereoscopic Model (ESM) and Toronto Mono Viewer (TMV)
Best Municipal GIS Challenge - Silver Award - Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA)

City of Toronto SARS Economic Recovery Program
Certificate of Excellence - Silver - Public Sector Quality Fair

Film Cube
Information Technology: Best of Show, Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC)

kids@computers Scholarship Project
Certificate of Excellence - Silver - Public Sector Quality Fair

Outstanding Achievement Award from Ontario Produce Marketing Association
Awarded to Toronto Public Health and Highland Farms partnership

Public Sector Quality Fair
In 2004, the Toronto Public Service won 8 Public Sector Quality Fair awards.

The Robertson House Young Pregnant Mothers Program
Certificate of Excellence - Silver - Public Sector Quality Fair

Toronto4 Film and Television Production CD-ROM
Astrid Award - Design - International Academy of Communications Arts and Sciences/Mer/Comm Inc.

Toronto, the Place to Live, Work, Invest CD-ROM
Information Technology: Best of Show, Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC)

Toronto You Belong Here Campaign
ACE (Achieving Communications Excellence) Awards, Canadian Public Relations Society

Water Utility Mapping Program (NOMINEE)
Geospatial Category, AEC GIS Vision (Nominee)