AWARD CATEGORIES

The PlanON Awards are the highest honour OPPI can bestow and for that reason there may be no awards presented in a given category. 

CELEBRATING PROJECTS

PlanON 2025 Vision Award
No limit to the number of awards that may be given in this category.

The PlanON Vision Award celebrates Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) and their teams who have demonstrated excellence in advancing the public interest by addressing key challenges facing the planning profession in Ontario, such as climate change, innovations in planning, affordable housing, transit, technology, inclusivity, and more. 
 
Submissions may include, but are not limited to:

• Master plans
• Indigenous insights
• Community improvement plans
• Urban design concepts
• Recognizing innovative approaches to project management
• Policy development
• Public engagement
• Data management throughout the planning process

 
The panel of jurors will decide how many awards will be bestowed in this category, including:

• Awards of Merit (submissions with scores of 80 to 89)
• Awards of Excellence (submissions with scores of 90 to 100)
• Project of the Year Award (selected from the Awards of Excellence recipients)

The coveted Project of the Year Award may be awarded at the jurors’ discretion and is the only award that will be kept secret until the PlanON Awards ceremony.

PlanON Public Education Award
Up to two (2) awards may be given in this category.

This award celebrates professional planners who have made meaningful contributions to advance public education within or outside the planning profession in Ontario. Submissions could include technical booklets, publications, pamphlets, newsletters, brochures, audio-visual presentations, workshops, online information, open houses, and more. 

PlanON Innovative Research Award
Up to two (2) awards may be given in this category.

This award celebrates innovative academic researchers within the planning profession who, through scholarly activities, including academic papers, research, or publications, have the ability to positively impact the future of the planning profession in Ontario. Submissions should contain evidence-based research that provides a fresh perspective or defines emerging areas of planning, while also offering insight into new focus areas for planners. 
 

CELEBRATING PEOPLE

PlanON Emerging Leadership Award
One (1) award may be given in this category.

This award celebrates the future leaders of tomorrow within the planning profession by recognizing professionals in the first seven (7) years of their careers, who exemplify the qualities of leadership, collaboration, professionalism, and/or empowering others. Submissions should include any noteworthy contributions made to the planning profession during their time working as planners in Ontario. 
 
PlanON RPP Leadership Award
One (1) award may be given in this category.

This award celebrates the trailblazers within the planning profession by recognizing Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) who exemplify the qualities of leadership, collaboration, professionalism, and/or empowering others. Submissions should include any noteworthy contributions made to the planning profession during their time working as planners in Ontario. 
 
PlanON Volunteer Service Award
Up to two (2) awards may be given in this category. 

The OPPI Volunteer Service Award recognizes the extraordinary service and significant contribution of OPPI volunteers. The awards recognize volunteers who have raised awareness for the planning profession, mentored students, or nurtured relationships, been involved with a special project or program, and more.

ELIGIBILITY

AWARD	ELIGIBILITY	QUESTIONS	ATTACHMENTS
CELEBRAING PROJECTS
PlanON 2025 Vision Award	Teams with at least one Full OPPI member in good standing The OPPI member must have played a substantial role in the project (as team leader, senior planner, etc.) Submissions must be for projects within the province of Ontario Project must be built, implemented, adopted, approved, published, etc. and completed within the past five years (2020 – 2025) Applicants must certify that their client is aware of and supports the submission Applicants must own or have approval to share intellectual property for promotion purposes	What contributions did the OPPI member(s) make to the overall success of this project? How did this work tackle and aim to solve the most important issues facing the planning profession in Ontario, such as climate change, affordable housing, technology, inclusivity, innovation? How did this work exemplify principles of good planning in the public interest such as, considering diverse voices, allied professionals, environmental impacts, short-term needs and long-term vision, and more? How did this project consider evaluation as part of the project’s success, including any data/metrics that validate the project’s success? how did this project innovate a new concept or creatively refine existing techniques or procedures?	Up to two (2) supporting documents that clearly identify the work submitted One-page cover letter identifying which pages or information within the supporting documents jurors should review as part of the submission
PlanON Public Education Award	Individuals or teams with at least one Full or Candidate OPPI member in good standing Applicants must own or have approval to share intellectual property for promotion purposes	What contributions did the OPPI member(s) make to the overall success of this project/submission? Who was the target audience? How did this work advance public education about planning? How was success measured in this project, including any data/metrics that validate the project’s success?	Up to two (2) supporting documents that clearly identify the work submitted One-page cover letter identifying which pages or information within the supporting documents jurors should review as part of the submission
PlanON Innovative Research Award	Student, Pre-Candidate, Candidate, and Full OPPI members in good standing Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral theses are accepted Applicants must own or have approval to share intellectual property for promotion purposes	What contributions did the OPPI member(s) make to the overall success of this project? What emerging areas of planning or new focus areas were explored by your research? What are the implications of your research on the planning profession? How can the research positively impact the future of the planning profession in Ontario?	Up to two (2) supporting documents that clearly identify the work submitted One-page cover letter identifying which pages or information within the supporting documents jurors should review as part of the submission One (1) letter of support from the advising professor, if applicable
CELEBRAING PEOPLE
PlanON Emerging Leadership Award	Pre-Candidate, Candidate, or Full OPPI members in good standing with less than seven (7) years of planning work experience Previous recipients cannot be awarded again	What does being an emerging leader mean to you? How do you exemplify the qualities of leadership, collaboration, professionalism, and/or empowering others? What recent noteworthy contributions have you  made to the planning profession during the first seven years of your career as a planner in Ontario? Is there anything else the jurors should consider when reviewing your submission?	Two (2) letters of support from an employer or planning colleague Up to two (2) optional supporting documents
PlanON RPP Leadership Award	Full OPPI members, in good standing, with more than seven (7) years of planning work experience Previous recipients cannot be awarded again	What does being a leader mean to you? How do you exemplify the qualities of leadership, collaboration, professionalism, and/or empowering others? What recent noteworthy contributions have you made to the planning profession during your time as a planner in Ontario? Is there anything else the jurors should consider when reviewing your submission?	Two (2) letters of support from an employer or planning colleague Up to two (2) optional supporting documents
PlanON Volunteer Service Award	Any OPPI member in good standing Previous recipients cannot be awarded again	What does being an OPPI volunteer mean to you? What recent noteworthy contributions have you made in your time as an OPPI volunteer?  What qualities have you gained and/or shared in your time as an OPPI volunteer? Is there anything else the jurors should consider when reviewing your submission?	Submissions must be accompanied by two letters of support from an OPPI member Up to two (2) supporting documents

HOW TO SUBMIT

It's FREE to enter your submission to the PlanON Awards!

Applicants may make as many submissions to the PlanON Awards as they like.

1. Compile answers to all questions.
2. Gather all attachments and supporting materials.
3. Complete the online entry form - COMING SOON! 

JUROR PROFILES

The PlanON Awards are judged by a panel of jurors, consisting of OPPI members and allied professionals. The jury panel can be made of up individuals from within and outside the planning profession from diverse geographic areas, sectors, backgrounds, and demographics.  
 

PLANON AWARD WINNERS

2025 PlanON Award winners – COMING SOON!
2024 PlanON Award winners
2023 PlanON Award winners
 

 

Questions?
Contact communications@ontarioplanners.ca.