By Victor Kaisar

New Recognition Medal

Citizen recognition medal program beginning to take shape

Jan 12, 2025 | 2:30 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — The City of Prince George is one step closer to implementing a new citizen recognition medal program in 2026.

City Councillors will vote on a series of proposed rules for the select committee that will develop the program during their meeting on Monday, Jan. 13.

In addition to naming four councillors to the committee, staff are also asking for approval to begin looking for three members of the public who will shape what the medal program will look like.

“Administration will conduct a recruitment campaign from January 16, 2025 to February 20, 2025,” a staff report said. “Appointments will be made at the closed Council meeting on March 10, 2025.”

“Following these appointments, Administration expects the inaugural meeting of the Committee to take place during the last week of March and monthly thereafter.”

New Recognition Medal

Citizen recognition medal program beginning to take shape

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This seven-member committee will decide things like how people can be nominated for the citizen recognition medal, how many people can be nominated each year, and what the ceremony and the medal itself will look like among other things.

The committee is expected to be done its work by September, at which point council will decide whether to move ahead with the medal program or not.

The idea of a medal was put forward as a Notice of Motion by Councillor Kyle Sampson, and supported by Councillors Cori Ramsay and Tim Bennett, they argue that the medal is a way to “shine a spotlight on those folks who truly embody the spirit of Prince George.”

Sampson said in November that while City Council is able to confer Freedom of the City – the highest honour a municipality can bestow – onto people, it is generally reserved for “extremely rare and unique circumstances.”

“An annual recognition medal program would give the City of PG the opportunity to consistently celebrate and acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of those who go above and beyond, often without expecting anything in return,” Sampson said.

He also said he envisions that the program will honour Prince George residents who have made significant contributions to the community in areas such as, but not limited to, arts, sports, volunteerism, philanthropy, social services, or heroism.

Mayor Simon Yu joined Councillors Brian Skakun and Trudy Klassen in voting against the creation of the new medal program in November after some spirited debated at City Hall.