The Municipality of Port Hope is proud to announce that it has received an award for Community Relations Campaign of the Year at the 2025 Achieving Communications Excellence (ACE) Awards, hosted by the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Toronto Chapter.
This award recognizes the success of the ‘Port Hope Digs Walton’ campaign — a communications and engagement strategy developed to support residents, businesses, and the broader community during Phase 2 of the Walton Street reconstruction project.
“This recognition is a testament to the strength and spirit of our community,” noted Mayor Olena Hankivsky. “The Port Hope Digs Walton campaign reflects our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and keeping our residents informed and engaged throughout this important infrastructure project. I appreciate the hard work of our team and the continued support and resilience of our residents and businesses.”
Led by the Municipality and supported by the project consultants, the campaign partnered with community and business leaders to ensure open and transparent communication throughout a complex and disruptive infrastructure project. By maintaining a strong social media presence, providing real-time updates, and promoting local businesses, the campaign helped sustain a vibrant, connected community during construction.
“Receiving the ACE Award for Community Relations Campaign of the Year is a proud moment for our organization,” added Brian Gilmer, Director, Corporate Services. “The success of the Port Hope Digs Walton campaign is the result of thoughtful strategy, creative execution, and a critical understanding of our community’s needs. This award reinforces the value of clear, consistent communication in building trust and connection during times of change.”
The ACE Awards celebrate outstanding public relations and strategic communications work across the Greater Toronto Area. Submissions are reviewed by a panel of industry leaders and evaluated on creativity, innovation, and measurable impact. The 2025 competition received more than 150 entries from across the region.
The Municipality of Port Hope extends its gratitude to the CPRS Toronto Chapter for this recognition and acknowledges the continued support of residents, businesses, and staff as the Walton Street reconstruction project progresses toward completion. Like all major infrastructure initiatives, this project has faced its share of challenges. However, the community’s resilience and collaboration have been instrumental in navigating these obstacles and maintaining momentum.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
