DocumentsAppendixAug 26, 2025Pages 34–35
Appendix A – Proposed "Heart of the City Policy" (POL-0184-ADMIN)
Text of the proposed Heart of the City Policy (POL-0184-ADMIN) describing purpose, eligibility, process (nomination, unanimous closed meeting vote), and benefits (deemed elector status, framed certificate, website profile, heart-shaped plaque).
Key facts
- Policy number: POL-0184-ADMIN
- Conferral authority: section 158, Community Charter
- Benefits to recipient: deemed an elector (may vote), framed certificate signed by Councillors, website profile, customized heart-shaped plaque
- Awarding process: Council nominates; unanimous vote required in Closed meeting; Council will rise and report the decision
HEART OF THE CITY POLICY
Council Policy: POL- 0184-ADMIN
Amendment # N/A
Original Policy: N/A
Amended: N/A
Presiding Council Member, Scott Goodmanson
Date: Signature:
1) PURPOSE
The City of Langford values and recognizes those distinguished persons who have made significant contributions to the City or elevated the City’s esteem through their outstanding achievements.
The Heart of the City is conferred pursuant to section 158 of the Community Charter and is the highest honour the City of Langford can award.
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and a process for awarding the Heart of the City.
2) ELIGIBILITY
a) The Heart of the City may be conferred upon an individual who:
i. has demonstrated exceptional and sustained service to the City in areas such as public service, volunteerism, arts and culture, education, business, or civic leadership, or
ii. has elevated the esteem of the City through their outstanding achievements.
b) The Heart of the City may not be conferred posthumously.
c) The Heart of the City may not be conferred on an elected official who actively holds office at the time the honour is awarded.
3) PROCESS
a) Members of Council may nominate an individual for the Heart of the City award. Staff will prepare a report for consideration at a closed Council meeting.
b) Council may confer the Heart of the City on an individual by unanimous vote at a Closed meeting of Council.
c) Council will rise and report on the decision to award the Heart of the City to a recipient.
d) Recipients of the Heart of the City will be recognized and presented with a framed Heart of the City certificate signed by each Councillor at a public ceremony, which will take place either in the Council Chambers or at a different location within the City.
4) BENEFITS
a) The recipient of the Heart of the City is:
i. deemed to be an elector of the City, and as such may vote in an election for mayor or councillor, even if not otherwise a resident of the City, and
ii. if the person is a Canadian citizen, is deemed to be qualified to be nominated, be elected and hold office on the council.
b) In addition to the framed certificate and public ceremony, recipients will be recognized with:
i. a profile on the City of Langford website with a description of the recipients’ achievements, and
ii. the installation of a customized heart-shaped plaque celebrating the recipients’ achievements, to be placed at a location determined in collaboration with the recipient or their representative.
Adopted by Council
Meeting Date:
CERTIFIED CORRECT
ADMINISTRATOR DATE: