The Township of Hamilton is pleased to announce that it has received the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting (CAnFR) from the Government Finance Officers Association for its 2024 Annual Financial Report.
This marks the first time the Township has earned this distinguished recognition, which honours excellence in governmental accounting and financial reporting. The CAnFR is awarded to municipalities whose annual financial reports meet rigorous program standards, including clear communication of financial information and a demonstrated commitment to transparency and full disclosure.
In addition to this achievement, the Township has recently received the Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fourth consecutive year. Together, these two awards recognize excellence across the full financial cycle, from planning to reporting. The budget award reflects the Township’s commitment to preparing a clear, transparent, and high-quality financial plan that guides decision-making and communicates priorities to residents, while the CAnFR recognizes
financial statements that go beyond minimum accounting standards to demonstrate transparency, full disclosure, and accountability. Receiving both awards signifies that the Township is not only planning responsibly but also reporting results with integrity.
For residents, this provides confidence that public funds are being managed carefully, decisions are made thoughtfully, and financial information is communicated openly and clearly.
“This award is especially meaningful because it reflects the kind of organization we strive to be: careful, transparent, and community-focused. For the Township of Hamilton to earn this recognition for the first time is a real accomplishment, and it speaks to the dedication of staff who take seriously our responsibility to serve residents well.” – Brian Gilmer, Chief Administrative Officer
The application and evaluation process for the CAnFR is comprehensive and extends over several months. This achievement reflects the professionalism, diligence, and collaborative efforts of staff involved in the preparation and review of the Annual Financial Report. Special recognition is extended to Treasurer Nusrat Ahmed and the Finance team for their leadership and contributions to this accomplishment.
“This is a proud moment for the Township of Hamilton,” said Mayor Scott Jibb.
“For a community our size, receiving this kind of national recognition for the first time says a great deal about the care, commitment, and professionalism of our staff. Residents expect us to be responsible with every tax dollar, and this award reflects the hard work being done to keep our financial reporting clear,
transparent, and accountable.”
As a smaller municipality, this recognition carries particular significance for the Township of Hamilton. While GFOA financial reporting awards in Ontario are often associated with larger, urban centres, this achievement underscores that excellence in financial governance, transparency, and reporting is achievable at any scale. It highlights the Township’s ability to meet the same rigorous standards as larger
municipalities, reinforcing its commitment to strong, accountable financial practices.
The Government Finance Officers Association is an international organization representing public finance officials across North America. Through its awards programs, the GFOA promotes best practices in government financial management and recognizes municipalities that demonstrate excellence in budgeting and financial reporting.
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
