Selkirk’s Chief Administrative Officer, Duane Nicol, has been named recipient of the Lieutenant-Governor’s inaugural Award for Leadership in Municipal Administration and was honoured during a ceremony at Government House on Nov. 27.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Municipal Leadership is one of the highest honours bestowed upon a municipal administrator in Manitoba. This prestigious award recognizes visionary leaders whose innovation, integrity, and dedication have advanced municipal leadership and strengthened communities across the province. It celebrates individuals whose outstanding leadership and service have made a lasting impact on the lives of Manitobans.
Nicol was nominated for the award by Selkirk’s Mayor and Council. Mayor Larry Johannson says Nicol is most deserving and he’s proud of the city’s CAO for not just the award, but his dedication and commitment to the position and the community that has made it possible.
“This is a new award and it is fitting that Duane Nicol is the first recipient. Duane is a leader and his work as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Selkirk has made our city a leader in so many different ways,” Johannson said.
“Duane’s commitment to the environment, his belief in making our world better for the next generation, his passion for working smarter not harder and his genuine care and concern for his home community make him the logical choice. I’m so proud and honoured to have Duane Nicol as our CAO.”
Professional Growth in Selkirk
Before becoming the city’s CAO in 2014, Nicol was a Selkirk councillor, elected in 2002 at the age of 24, and at the time was the youngest person ever elected to Selkirk Council. John Buffie was also a rookie councillor in 2002, and says it’s been great watching his friend grow personally and professionally.
“It’s been an interesting ride I would say,” Coun. Buffie said.
“Being at opposite ends of the spectrum as far as political leanings go…interestingly enough over the years that’s never become a barrier for us. We’ve always been able to have good, thoughtful conversations about different positions politically and always walking away still being respectful and good friends, and I’ve really enjoyed that.”
Buffie says Nicol brings that same sensibility to his position as CAO. He is thoughtful about all situations, listens to all sides and is a natural leader.
“He has an ability to step back and evaluate things, to look at all the different sides to any situation…and I really admire him for that.”
Buffie says the nomination council submitted for Nicol details some of his accomplishments with the city, and they’re mind boggling. He believes the driving force for Nicol’s commitment is his love for his community.
“I really believe the way he’s been able to accomplish it all is true love for this community and what Selkirk means to him, and the vision that he has for this community. It’s a heart-felt vision that he has and that’s what drives him, that’s what gets him up every morning and spurs him on to the next challenge.”
Recognizing Excellence in Municipal Administration
Nicole Chychota, President of the Manitoba Municipal Administrators (MMA), said Nicol is the obvious selection for the new award.
“I’m thrilled that Duane is the first recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Leadership in Municipal Administration. Duane has been an extraordinary mentor and role model to many, inspiring and guiding our members with integrity and vision. His leadership has elevated our association to new heights, driving initiatives that support professional administration and setting the stage for future success. Duane’s unwavering commitment to his community and the profession is unmatched, making him a true embodiment of the values this award represents,” Chychota said.
The Manitoba Municipal Administrators is a professional association dedicated to supporting municipal administrators through education, networking, and advocacy, ensuring excellence in local government administration.
“It’s impossible to express in words how honoured I feel to have been nominated by Selkirk Council, not to mention being selected. I love my city, the work I get to do in its service, the people I get to do it with, and the profession that I’m in,”City of Selkirk CAO, Duane Nicol
For Nicol, the nomination by council was humbling, as was the news that he’d been selected as the inaugural winner.
“It’s impossible to express in words how honoured I feel to have been nominated by Selkirk Council, not to mention being selected. I love my city, the work I get to do in its service, the people I get to do it with, and the profession that I’m in,” Nicol said.
“In Selkirk, I am part of an amazing team, between a visionary and passionate Council and a dedicated and creative staff. At the MMA I am surrounded by a group of outstanding and thoughtful professionals who are just as passionate about local government as I am. Both environments make it easy to want to do more and raise the bar. I’m so grateful for the people around me and their tireless support.”
Leadership, Innovation, and Community Impact
The nomination required responses in five areas –how the nominee has improved the city through leadership, strategic initiatives and policy development; how they’ve demonstrated integrity, accountability and ethical principles in their professional conduct; how they’ve contributed to mentoring, training, knowledge sharing or advanced administrative and governance practices; innovative and effective approaches to service delivery led by the nominee; and how the nominee has contributed to policy development, research or influenced the development of public administration, governance, or service delivery.
As CAO for the City of Selkirk, Nicol is recognized for his visionary leadership and enduring commitment to building a resilient and sustainable community. Nicol has guided Selkirk through transformative and award-winning initiatives, including the city’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, the innovative CareerGPS program and the CitizenSupport service system. His dedication to ethical governance, environmental stewardship and long-term community well-being has positioned Selkirk as a leader in municipal innovation and excellence across Canada.
Nicol has been instrumental in the city’s reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the development of two key strategies – Climate Change Adaptation and Climate Change Mitigation, both of which are integrated into day-to-day city operations. He’s championed increasing active transportation routes, transit services, downtown revitalisation, and improving the city through its Capital Asset Management Program.
He promoted the city’s unique establishment and use of endowment funds which has led to a Family of Funds, held through the Selkirk & District Community Foundation. Over time, these endowments will grow and ensure long-term stable funding for the city’s parks, recreation, heritage, transit and now the Garry Theatre.
Advancing Municipal Excellence Across Manitoba
Within the Manitoba Municipal Administrators, Nicol has served as district director, vice-president, president and now past president. His leadership has been essential in the revitalization and renewing of the association. Nicol led the establishment of the Municipal Professional Development Bursary and creating the MMA Competency Framework, a comprehensive manual that articulates the key skills, knowledge, and behaviours necessary to excel in municipal administrator roles, providing a roadmap for professional development and success. As president he led the redevelopment of the association’s corporate by-laws, creating a new professional standards and system to hold members accountable. He also led the development of the MMA Member Code of Conduct and is leading the work to revamp the Certified Manitoba Municipal Administrator (CMMA) designation. Nicol currently serves as Chair of the MMA Professional Development Committee and spear-headed the creation of the MMA Leadership Summit, the association’s annual one-day leadership conference. These initiatives continue to elevate the professionalism and integrity of Manitoba’s municipal administration community.
For the past five years, Nicol has instructed the Leadership in Municipal Management course at the University of Manitoba, which is part of the CMMA program. Using his experience as both a former Councillor and CAO, Nicol supports the learning and development of Manitoba’s next professional municipal administrators.
Beyond his work with the MMA, Nicol has served on numerous local, provincial and national boards and committees including, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities Asset Management Leadership Committee, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Asset Management Technical Advisory Committee, NAMS Canada, and Canadian Network of Asset Managers. He is currently the chair of the Marine Museum of Manitoba and vice-chair of Efficiency Manitoba.
