Mississauga earns four awards for financial reporting

The City of Mississauga received three awards from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for its budget and financial reports. The awards are the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award. These awards show that the City prepares clear, high-quality financial information that meets North American standards. They also show Mississauga’s commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible financial management. The City also received the Financial Information Return (FIR) award for the first time from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) for its 2024 FIR.

The City’s budget and financial reports are important as they help guide priorities and the services residents use. These awards from GFOA and MMAH reflect years of careful planning, strong budgeting and responsible financial management by Mississauga City Council, the City’s leadership team and staff.

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

The City received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2026–2029 Business Plan & 2026 Budget. This is the 38th year in a row that Mississauga has earned this award. The award is presented to municipalities that show strong government budgeting.

The award recognizes budgets that are clear, complete and useful. It looks at how well the budget works as a financial plan, a policy document, a guide for the City’s work and priorities and a tool to help explain decisions to residents, businesses and other partners.

Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The City also received the Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2024 Financial and Sustainability Report. This is the 28th year in a row that the City has received this award.

To earn this award, governments must publish a financial report that goes beyond the basic requirements set by CPA Canada’s Public Sector Accounting Standards. Reports must be clear, open and easy to understand. They must also help readers understand the municipality’s financial story.

Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award

The City received the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for its 2024 Financial Report Highlights. The report is a shorter, easier-to-read version of the City’s 2024 Financial and Sustainability Report. This is the ninth year in a row that Mississauga has received this award. The award recognizes the City’s work to explain its finances in a clear and simple way. The report is reviewed for how easy it is to read, how it is shared, how creative it is and how useful it is for residents and businesses.

Financial Information Return Award

The City also received an award from the MMAH for its 2024 Financial Information Return (FIR). The FIR is how MMAH collects financial and statistical information from municipalities in Ontario. The FIR Award recognizes municipalities that submit financial information on time and make sure it is reliable and accurate. This is the first time the City has received this award.

Learn more about the City’s financial activities, including budget documents and financial reports on the City’s website.

Background

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) was founded in 1906. It represents more than 20,000 public finance officials in the United States and Canada. Its members work in federal, provincial, state and local government. GFOA’s goal is to support strong public finance.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) works with 444 municipalities across the Province of Ontario, and partners to support provincial-municipal relationships.

Quotes

“Mississauga has a long record of responsible financial management. These awards show we continue to hold ourselves to a high standard. For residents, that matters. You deserve to know how your tax dollars are managed and how City decisions support the services you rely on every day. I’m proud our budget and financial documents are being recognized for making complex information clear and easier to understand.” – Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish

“Clear financial planning and reporting help build public trust. The City’s Business Plan & Budget guides decisions about how we use limited resources, deliver services and plan for Mississauga’s future. This recognition from the GFOA and MMAH reflects the work of staff and Council, and our commitment to open, accountable financial reporting.” – Marisa Chiu, Commissioner of Corporate Services, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, City of Mississauga

Tags

• Awards and Recognition
• Budget and Taxes
• Finance and Revenue