Kathleen Llewellyn-Thomas Civic Service Award

Kathleen Llewellyn-Thomas Civic Service Award

The Canadian Urban Institute is pleased to announce the Kathleen Llewellyn-Thomas (KLT) Civic Service Award. 
The newly established KLT Award honors the legacy of a dedicated municipal employee and inspirational city-builder.
This award will recognize a municipal employee or community leader whose steadfast commitment to public service has profoundly and enduringly enhanced the quality of the built environment, benefiting both the community and the individuals who rely on it.
Our cities are shaped by champions who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to making them better places to live, work, and play. The KLT Award celebrates these inspiring leaders—those who think creatively, act boldly, and drive meaningful change in our urban environments.
Nominations are open from Thursday, Monday 9, 2024 until Sunday October 13, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Submit your nomination

About Kathleen Llewellyn-Thomas 

As a uniquely gifted engineer, Kathleen brought a poet’s heart and a keen mind to designing, building, and managing inclusive urban communities. Across 40 years of public service, Kathleen broke ground for women in her field and left an indelible mark on three of Canada’s largest urban regions – The City of Toronto and York Region, Halifax Regional Municipality, and the City of Vancouver. Kathleen served for many years on the Board of the Canadian Urban Institute, which established this award to honor her significant contributions to city-building across the nation.

Nominee Eligibility

  • Nominees must be a resident of Canada.
  • Nominees must be a public servant, city building professional, and/or civic or community leader representing any community, or communities, in Canada.
  • Nominees must have made a significant and sustained contribution to the quality of the built environment or the social environment in one or more towns/cities/municipalities across Canada.

Expected Qualities and Attributes of the Nominee

  • Steadfast dedication to public service and/or city/community building.
  • Profound and enduring outcomes that can be clearly identified as a direct result of the recipient’s work.
  • Demonstration of values-based leadership.
  • Commitment to interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches.
  • A strategic thinker and delivery professional, who understands leve
Nominate an urban champion

Key Dates

  • Nominations open: Thursday, September 5, 2024
  • Nominations close: Sunday October 13, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET 
  • Award winner notified: Early November, 2024 
  • Award presentation: Thursday December 5, 2024 at the State of Cities Summit in Ottawa

Selection Process

An award selection committee composed of a current and former Canadian Urban Institute Board members will review the nomination submissions and make a selection. Only individuals selected for the award will be contacted.

Award Presentation Details

The award winner will be invited to attend the Canadian Urban Institute’s State of Cities Summit on Thursday December 5, 2024 where they will receive their award. Transportation and accommodation will be provided.

Public Service Defined

For the KLT Award, public service refers to actions and efforts made by individuals to benefit society and contribute to the common good. It involves addressing the needs and concerns of communities, enhancing the quality of life, and promoting social welfare. This can include volunteer work, charitable activities, community building, education, environmental stewardship, and various initiatives that aim to improve the well-being of others without seeking personal gain. Public service in this broader sense emphasizes a commitment to making a positive impact on society and fostering a sense of collective responsibility.

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