Linda J. Petelka, B.Sc., Acting Director of Business and Technical Services, Public Works Department, Region of Halton, Ontario, and an APWA 2009 Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year was recently honored at luncheon in Mississauga, Ontario.

Canadian Public Works Association President W. Gary Losier of New Brunswick and APWA President-Elect Larry Koehle of Ontario were among the guests at the event held to honor Ms. Petelka's achievements in public works. Also attending were local public officials, Linda's co-workers, and CPWA Ontario Chapter representatives.

APWA annually recognizes 10 of the most outstanding public works professionals from across the U.S. and Canada for their professionalism, expertise and career-long dedication and service. Marking the 50th anniversary of the award, the distinction is among the most coveted and prestigious presented by the Association.

Petelka is the first woman as a Canadian citizen to receive APWA’s Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year Award in the award’s 50-year history.

The Canadian Public Works Association announces the Call for Submissions for the 2009 CPWA National Public Works Week Award.

This award is for Canadian municipalities, agencies, or organizations who celebrated the recent May 17-23, 2009 National Public Works Week by hosting events that highlighted public works.

The 2009 NPWW Awards will be made in the following five categories: first-time entry, small centre, medium centre, large centre, and metropolitan centre. Population guidelines for these categories are noted on the linked general information and criteria for judging below. First-time entries should be noted as such and will be entered in the first-time entry category.

If your agency, jurisdiction or city celebrated NPWW this year, we encourage you to submit an application. Attached you will find the rating criteria used by evaluating committee when reviewing submissions. It will be helpful in assisting you as you compile information about your event. General information and criteria for judging submissions for the award are available in English and French on the link below.

Winners in each category will be awarded an award plaque which a CPWA Representative will present at a Town Hall/City Council meeting or other event hosted by the winning municipality.


Deadlines for submission are: July 15th, 2009.

To enter, please submit your event summary in quadruplicate (4 copies) and mail so to be received by July 15th, 2009 to:

Gail Ann Clark, Canadian Public Works Association, 1401 K Street, 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20005, USA

Should you have questions regarding your award submission, please contact gclark@apwa.net or (202) 218-6732.

We look forward to your submissions!

Paul Smeltzer, Chairman, National Public Works Week, Canadian Public Works Association

Infrastructure Canada est fière d’annoncer le lancement de le nouveau cyberbulletin, Créer des emplois : Des résultats concrets.

"Ce bulletin présentera de l’information sur le plan d’infrastructure Chantiers Canada, les progrès réalisés et les résultats obtenus. Nous sommes ravis de communiquer des renseignements concernant ce plan historique aux Canadiens, en particulier aux principaux intervenants et dirigeants des organisations provinciales, territoriales et municipales, et aux personnes participant à la recherche, à la planification et au développement relatifs à l’infrastructure."

Pour recevoir le bulletin électronique de Créer des emplois : Des résultats concrets par courriel:

Infrastructure Canada has released a new e-Newsletter entitled Creating Jobs, Delivering Results intended update subscribers on investment in infrastructure and other related issues.

CPWA encourages CPWA Members to access the attached link and subscribe to the free e-Newsletter. The information is provided in English and French.

According to INFC, the e-Newsletter is intended to report to Canadians on "the steps that the Government of Canada is taking to accelerate infrastructure funding and stimulate the economy through the infrastructure components of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The Government of Canada is working with provinces, territories and municipalities to speed up project funding, streamline approvals and get shovels in the ground faster. "

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. has relayed his Greetings for National Public Works Week 2009 which will be celebrated on May 17 - 23, 2009 throughout Canada.

"The week of May 17 - 23, 2009, provides an opportunity for all Canadians to recognize the professional contributions of men and women across the country who design, build, operate and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known as public works. This year’s theme — Revitalize, Reinvest and Renew — is a fitting tie-in to the Government of Canada’s new investments in infrastructure. Public works professionals will play an invaluable role in developing and implementing infrastructure projects that will help build a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and more prosperous, safer communities."

A copy of Prime Minister Harper's letter (English/Francais) is attached for your review. The letter and a photo of the Prime Minister can be forwarded to you by e-mail at your request. Please contact Gail Clark for a copy at gclark@apwa.net

National Public Works Week is celebrated in the United States during the same week of May 17-23, 2009.

Saskatchewan has designated the week of May 17-23, 2009 as National Public Works Week in the Province. In the announcement letter, Minister of Government Services Dan D'Autremont commented on the work of the APWA Saskatchewan Chapter as below:

"As Minister of Government Services, I am well aware of the valuable work of public work professionals in our communities. I appreciate the activities of the Saskatchewan Chapter of the Canadian Public Works Association does to promote public awareness of the importance of quality public works in our day to day lives."

A copy of the certificate designating Public Works Week is attached.

APWA has named Linda J. Petelka, Manager of Business and Infrastructure Services, Region of Halton, ON, as one of the Top Ten Public Works Leaders for 2009. Ms. Petelka was selected as one of a group of ten outstanding leaders in public works in North America.

APWA's most coveted and prestigious "Top Ten Public Works Leader" designation is bestowed upon honorees who are carefully selected for their professionalism, expertise, leadership, and their personal dedication to improving the quality of life in their community through advancement of public works services and technology.

A summary of Ms. Petelka's many contributions to public works and infrastructure are outlined in the attached document.

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer has proclaimed the week of May 17-23, 2009 as National Public Works Week for the Province of Manitoba.

Noting that "it is in the public interest for the citizens and civic leaders of this country to gain knowledge of and to maintain a progressive interest in the public works needs and programs..," the Premier joins other Provinces in recognizing "public works infrastructure, facilities and services are of vital importance to the health, safety, and well-being of the people of this country."

A copy of the Proclamation is attached.

CPWA has been closely following the Government's stimulus program as it relates to investment in infrastructure. The Government has now announced the Guidelines that will be used in distributing the new $4 billion in stimulus funds targeted for infrastructure.

A link to the Infrastructure Canada website is provided below. The Guidelines, including eligible categories and criteria for projects, are detailed on this site:

The Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island, has designated the week of May 17-23, 2009 as National Public Works Week.

The Proclamation urges all people of PEI to join with representatives of government agencies in activities and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to public works engineers and administrators and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to the national health and welfare.

A copy of the proclamation is attached.

In an open letter to Municipal Councils throughout Canada, Federation of Canadian Municipalities President Jean Perrault and Finance Minister John Baird provided an update to municipalities on the development and implementation of new federal infrastructure programs.

Included in this report is a message to municipalities on "what you can do" which outlines suggestions to access stimulus funding for infrastructure.

FCM and the Government of Canada have promised to continue to update municipalities on progress.

Use the attached link to access the letter:

With the 2009 CPWA/APWA National Public Works Week of May 17-23, 2009 fast approaching, CPWA encourages your municipality's involvement in celebrating National Public Works Week, May 17-23, 2009. National Public Works Week is celebrated throughout North America by both CPWA and APWA members and others involved in public works.

The purpose of CPWA National Public Works Week is to reach a wide audience with information about the crucial role that public works plays in the quality of community life. Equally important is promoting the choice of public works as a career choice for the working force of the future.

For 2009, we are embracing the theme of the campaign “Revitalize, Reinvest, Renew." This theme is especially relevant as investment in infrastructure plays a lead role in revitalizing the economy. There has never been a better time for your community to call attention to the role that public works plays on an ongoing basis in sustaining the health and vitality of our communities.

CPWA will once again host our National Public Works Week contest, accepting your community's summary submission in early July. The categories for submission and judging criteria (in English and French) for entries are attached. This year, we are introducing a "first time entrants" category as another incentive to join in the celebration. A "Call for Submissions" of your summary of activities will arrive at a later date.

Should you have questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact: Gail Clark at: gclark@apwa.net or at: 202-218-6732

You may find additional "how to" information on National Public Works Week on the APWA Website: National Public Works Week How-To Guide

Enjoy your National Public Works Week celebrations!

Paul Smeltzer
Chairman, National Public Works Week '09
Canadian Public Works Association