Prince George City Council approved the framework for a Citizen Recognition Program at last night’s (Monday) meeting.
In November last year, Prince George City Council have the green light to establish a Citizen Recognition Medal Program following a contentious debate.
Council then chose the members to sit on the program’s Committee in January. This committee has been meeting monthly since March.
Under this program, the award, named the Prince George Medal of Excellence and Good Citizenship, will recognize up to three individuals every year for exceptional contributions to the community in areas of leadership, innovation, impact, courage, and generosity. Active elected officials, individuals currently running for public office in the year of nomination, and City of Prince George staff are not eligible for nomination.
These recipients would be awarded a custom-designed medal with ribbon in Prince George flag colours, and a matching lapel pin.
There is also a legacy garden component in which the City would provide a donation of $1,000 per recipient to the David Douglas Botanical Garden Society in honour of each recipient for a portion of the garden, along with a commemorative plaque for the location.
A recognition event would also be held to celebrate the recipients at a special Council meeting, where they receive the medal, pin and certificate with the garden location, with a reception to follow.
The program would be managed by the Prince George Community Foundation, including nomination intake, adjudication, and coordination with the proposed recipients being approved by City Council.
At last night’s meeting, City Council approved an initial start up budget to design, procure and install assets, as well as an on-going yearly budget of up to $10,000 to cover all aspects of the program.
“I believe that we didn’t just sort of tidy up the City process and create something solid for the future, but we also captured something that the Prince George Community Foundation was struggling with,” said Councillor Susan Scott, who chaired the Select Committee on Citizen Recognition Program.
“I spent many years as part of the Citizen of the Year committee, and it was hard work, and it was overcome by a lack of volunteers. This is a way to keep going, and keep recognizing people.'”
Councillor Trudy Klassen brought up previous awards, asking what would be done with older awards at City Hall.
The Committee members said this was not discussed by the Committee, saying it was not as part of their terms of reference.
“Can we bring this matter to Council as a whole for discussion? It’s quite important,” said Mayor Simon Yu.
“The past recognition of all the great citizens in the past, their place in history must be retained in some way.”
Director of Civic Facilities and Events Andy Beesley told Council they are working on that process, and are hoping to bring something back to Council “sooner than later.”
Nominations are expected to start in January 2026, with the award presentations expected in mid-spring.
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