The Call for Submissions for the 2026 Awards is now open!
Awards (and being nominated) can be a great way to show a member of your team that you appreciate their efforts! There are SO MANY amazing people working in public works that deserve to be recognized!
The deadline to submit an application is August 14th, 2026, in an effort to announce this year’s winners at the PWABC/BCMSA Joint Conference.
We have simplified the nomination process! Awards for communities of all sizes – don’t be shy!
Nomination Process:
- Email to awards@pwabc.ca
- Contact information for who is being nominated, who is doing the nomination and your organization and the specific award
- Include any material starting with a compelling story of the impact of the nominee, project or celebration. Application can include pictures, videos, and (social) media posts – this is a license to be as creative as you want to be.
- Before 6 pm Friday, August 14th, 2026
We encourage large and small municipalities to nominate those in our supporting vendor and consulting industries, who work hard, demonstrate excellence and passion for serving our communities!
Presentations: PWABC will work with all award recipients for an appropriate time/location for the award presentations. This could include physical or virtual presentations at conferences, council meeting or other appropriate meeting/ceremony
For additional information, please contact: awards@pwabc.ca
Awards to Individuals
Women’s Public Works Ambassador Award
Purpose: The Women’s Public Works Ambassador Award is an employee of a Federal, Provincial, Regional or Municipal Agency involved in public works or an engineering or consulting firm that supports public works.
For this purpose, public works is defined as the design, construction, maintenance, operation, or management of facilities and programs such as public utilities, solid waste collection and/or disposal systems, streets and/or highways, water and/or sewer systems, mass transit, airports, public buildings, production and distribution of natural gas or electric power, telephone systems, flood control, etc.
Eligibility: This individual need not be a PWABC/PWAC/APWA member.
Selection Criteria:
- Applicants must self-identify as female;
- Employed in Public Works for at least one year in BC;
- Applicants must act as role models to encourage women to pursue and/or remain in Public Works as a profession; and
- Public Works excellence, and recognition of achievement within the profession, business or industry, or education sector that has set a benchmark for public works professionals to strive for.
Outstanding Public Works Employee Award
Purpose: The Outstanding Public Works Employee award is for one individual employed by a Federal, Provincial, Regional or Municipal Agency involved in public works. This individual need not be a PWABC/PWAC/APWA member.
For this purpose, public works is defined as the design, construction, maintenance, operation, or management of facilities and programs such as public utilities, solid waste collection and/or disposal systems, streets and/or highways, water and/or sewer systems, mass transit, airports, public buildings, production and distribution of natural gas or electric power, telephone systems, flood control, etc.
Eligibility: This individual need not be a PWABC/PWAC/APWA member.
Selection Criteria:
- Employment history;
- Outstanding achievements during the past three years in BC;
Which could include but is not limited to innovations/improvements, community service, and participation in organizations
- Promotion of Public Works as a profession; and
- Overall value to their organization
PWABC Manager of the Year Award
Purpose: To be awarded to the manager/supervisor who, in the opinion of the Awards Committee, best exemplifies the spirit and professionalism of the Association.
Eligibility: Nominee must be a member of PWABC/PWAC/APWA.
Selection Criteria:
- Number of years in public works
- Technical accomplishments that could include; design and/or coordination of major infrastructure projects, managerial accomplishments /initiatives /innovation
- ‘Non technical’ professional involvement could include:
publications or presentations to conferences, community service, support of public works education efforts
- PWABC member, active in year of award
PWABC Professional - Dedicated Service Award
Purpose: To be awarded to a private-sector leader for a far-reaching positive impact on local or provincial public works programs, services or policies through distinguished service and commitment.
Eligibility: Non-government members of PWABC who are recognized as leaders working in a public works-related field or special endeavour.
Selection Criteria:
- Outstanding achievements during the past five years in BC that could include: membership and participation in organizations; Initiative/Innovations/Improvements; Community Service;
- Promotion of Public Works as a profession
Emerging Leader of the Year Award
Purpose: To recognize and encourage young leaders within the public works sector in British Columbia. The award acknowledges the efforts and contributions of young leaders within their organizations, their communities, and the PWABC.
Eligibility: Candidates must be less than 40 years old on the deadline for submission date.
Selection Criteria:
Candidate has demonstrated leadership qualities within their organization regardless of their position title. This may include:
- Mentoring or developing other staff,
- Implementing innovative processes,
- Demonstrating exceptional public relations.
- Demonstrated a continuing commitment to advancing their knowledge, skills and abilities through pursuit of continuing education.
- Helped enhance the profile of the public works profession through involvement in related professional associations.
- Strives to enhance their community through volunteer projects or initiatives.
Awards to Municipalities
Project of the Year Award
Purpose: To be awarded to the municipality which, in the opinion of the Awards committee constructs a major and complex public works or utilities project, which deserves special merit because of its unique features or complexity relative to the resources of the community.
Eligibility: Municipality must be a member of PWABC/CPWA/APWA. The project must have been “substantially completed” and available for public and/or agency use within two calendar years prior to nomination.
If a project has multiple phases or segments, then “substantially completed” will be construed as that point when the final phase or segment is 90% completed and available for public and/or agency use.
Two projects may be selected if there are qualified candidates in both smaller and larger communities.
A project may only be nominated once for recognition as Project of the Year.
Selection Criteria:
- Safety record
- Provides an environmental, climate resilience or social benefit
- Complexity and/or innovation in design
- Success of public engagement program
- Financing complexity including on time and budget (within allowable tolerances)
- Environmental protection measures taken during construction
- Quality of final works
CPWA National Public Works Week Award
🏆 Did your community celebrate National Public Works Week?
PWABC is inviting municipalities and public works organizations across British Columbia to submit their National Public Works Week activities for consideration in the 2026 CPWA National Public Works Week Awards Program.
Whether you hosted open houses, equipment displays, educational events, staff engagement activities, community outreach initiatives, or something completely unique, we want to hear about it!
📅 Submit your completed nomination package to awards@pwabc.ca by June 23, 2026.
This deadline allows PWABC time to evaluate submissions and select BC’s nominee before the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) national submission deadline of June 30.
The nomination form is attached to this post and includes all submission requirements.
Let’s showcase the incredible work being done by public works professionals across British Columbia and highlight the positive impact our profession has on the communities we serve.
Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your submissions!