The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) has received national recognition for excellence in planning following the adoption of its Housing Strategy earlier this year.
On July 9, 2026, the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) presented CBRM with a Canadian Award for Planning Excellence during the CIP National Conference in Montréal. The award acknowledges the municipality’s innovative and action‑oriented approach to addressing housing challenges and supporting increased housing supply. CIP is the national voice of Canada’s planning profession and represents planners from across the country.
Staff from CBRM’s Planning and Development Department accepted the award alongside members of the consultant team who contributed to the development of the strategy. CIP highlighted the strategy’s flexible, forward‑looking framework and its emphasis on practical tools that enable the municipality to respond effectively to evolving housing needs.
“We are incredibly proud of our consultant team for their dedication, expertise, and collaboration in making this Housing Strategy possible. An award‑winning plan is more than recognition of the work completed—it provides momentum for the important conversations we continue to have about housing,” said Tyson Simms, CBRM Director of Planning and Development.
CBRM’s Housing Strategy outlines a series of initiatives designed to support housing development and growth through collaboration, facilitation, and targeted municipal action. The strategy positions the municipality to play a more active role in enabling housing solutions across the region.
To learn more about the Canadian Institute of Planners and the 2026 Canadian Awards for Planning Excellence Winners, visit: https://www.cip-icu.ca/honours-awards/cape/winners/
Pictured (left to right): Consultant team members Lyndsay Francis, Samantha Murphy, and James Coons; CBRM staff members Karen Neville and Tyson Simms; and CIP President Lesly Cabott.