Eleven individuals and groups have been chosen as the winners of this year's Urban Leadership Awards program for making Canada's cities healthier, safer, and more dynamic places to live and work.  (Continue reading full posting, or Download the full release here) 

Ranging from a project aimed at providing education to remanded youth to a centre that cultivates technology entrepreneurship, to individuals who have dedicated years to revitalizing the core of their cities or building the capacity of their communities, the winners this year once again demonstrated creativity, resourcefulness, and persistence to improving quality of life in cities across Canada. 

Selection of this year's winners was done by a cross-disciplinary jury, under the chairmanship of CUI Board Member Rupen Seoni.  "We had impressive nominations from all across the country to select from" said Mr. Seoni.  "We ended up with recipients that represent Eastern, Western, and Central Canada which is wonderful because it demonstrates that no matter where you live; there are amazing people out there who are applying their passion to making their communities and cities better places to live." 

The jury also awarded a City Champion award in recognition of Stephen Dupuis's legacy of leadership, community and vision for the home building and development industry in the GTA.  The award acknowledges his impact on the many issues that affect the industry and their numerous consumers across the region, including his passionate advocacy for affordable homeownership. 

The awards ceremony to honour this year's exceptional urban leaders will be held on June 8th from 11:30 am-2:30-pm at the Toronto Board of Trade.  (First Canadian Place)  Join us for lunch at this downtown location before seeing the following awards presented: 

2012 Urban Leadership Award Winners 

City Soul
Ruth Howard, Jumblies Theatre: for inspiring creative community-building and fostering social connections through Jumblies' distinctive blend of art and community development.

Local Hero
Dr. Joseph Du, Winnipeg Chinatown Development Corporation: for his sustained leadership to revitalize both the Winnipeg Chinatown and the Winnipeg Chinese Community, which has attracted investment, development, and new families back to Winnipeg's core area.

Global City
Waterloo Accelerator Centre: for cultivating technology entrepreneurship and transforming the Waterloo region into a recognized cluster for innovation and commercialization within the high-technology and information communications technology (ICT) industries 

Innovation
STEP Home: for bringing together a collaborative of 12 programs through 10 agencies at 19 sites to provide options and supports to end persistent homelessness in Waterloo Region

Prosperity
Attainable Home Calgary Corporation: for expanding the supply of affordable, adequate housing while retaining and recruiting the skilled workforce essential to the sustainability and growth of Calgary

Renewal
Andy Fillmore, Halifax Regional Municipality: for bringing about a unique collaborative approach to city building projects in Halifax

Safety and Resilience
Amadeusz and The Look at My Life Project: for providing remanded young people with the support and opportunity to positively change their lives through education 

Youth
Hibaq Gelle, Youth Health Action Network (YHAN) with Toronto Public Health:  for mobilizing youth around the globe with her passionate advocacy and leadership in support of the Somalian community both in Africa and Canada

David Crombie Award
Joseph Mancinelli : in recognition of his significant contribution to the public realm over many years in his role with LiUNA (Labourers' International Union of North America)

Jane Jacobs Lifetime Achievement Award
Anne Golden: for her long-standing leadership in public policy, her academic work and her varied leadership experience in business, not-for-profit and government sectors

For more information about this year's Urban Leadership Awards Program and to buy tickets for the ceremony, please see the event page here. The complete press release can be downloaded here.

About the Urban Leadership Awards Program
Since its inception in 2004, the Urban Leadership Awards program has been paying tribute to individuals, groups and organizations that have made a profound and lasting impact on the quality of life in Canada's cities and urban regions.

The awards program is also a fundraiser for the Institute in support of our internship program, dedicated to providing undergraduate scholars with practical work experience.

Source: Canadian Urban Institute web site