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The Town of Innisfil has received national recognition for its “People First” program from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA).  The Town was presented with the 2024 CAMA Municipal Inspiring Workplace Award, in the 20,001 to 100,000-population category.

“CAMA is pleased to recognize the municipal excellence being demonstrated by Innisfil with their People First program,” says Tony Kulbisky, CAMA President, CAMA Representative for Alberta and CAO for Westlock County, AB. “Their approach shows exactly why investing in municipal employees is one of the best investments a local government can make.”

Innisfil has raised the bar of what people can expect from local government. The Town is dedicated to helping the community grow in a sustainable way to become a place that is connected physically, socially, culturally, and digitally.

To do this, their “people first” approach is focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and growing people who have the skills, strengths and abilities and right attitude to meet current and future community needs. This includes talent-focused activities and programs that support short-term and long-term objectives and align with the Town’s culture, mission, vision, and values.

What makes Innisfil’s program unique and innovative is working collaboratively with external organizations for talent management to not only grow and develop together but create long-lasting relationships within the community. 

In 2023, The Town received a grant from the Ontario government in partnership with Schulich Executive Education Centre.  This program focused on business operations and trained 100 employees and was extended to 100 community members.

The Town’s people focused programs, initiatives and policies are anything but traditional. The Town offers unique employee experiences from a casual dress code, a creative onboarding program for new employees, ability to bring your pet into the workplace, extensive opportunities for personal and professional development, and flexible work arrangements to meet personal and family needs.  This allows employees to be their best self, belong and excel.

Innisfil’s people first approach continues to support a strong culture that invests in people.

“Innovation doesn’t usually come from a lightening bolt idea. At its core, innovation is about solving difficult problems and finding innovative solutions to challenges,” says Francesca Figliuzzi , Director of People & Talent for the Town of Innisfil. “Municipal organizations, especially smaller ones, who are faced with the challenge of a limited operating budget need to think outside the box.”

A total of 45 submissions were received for this year’s awards program. To find out more about the Town of Innisfil’s award, as well as the other 2024 CAMA Awards of Excellence winners, visit www.camacam.ca/awards and look for the award recipients’ link.