Portage mayor honoured with national leadership award
By: Cory Knutt
Date: June 9, 2026
Source: PortageOnline.com
Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox has been recognized with a national municipal leadership award, receiving the 2026 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Excellence in Municipal Leadership Award for her work on public safety, reconciliation and community engagement.
The award was handed out over the weekend at FCM’s 2026 annual conference and trade show in Edmonton.
“I was humbled to receive this award, and I really appreciate being nominated by this council,” Knox says.
She adds the recognition reflects the collective work of council, city staff and community partners across Portage la Prairie.
“I do believe, although I was the one standing on the stage, this award really goes to all of us because it’s about who we are as a community, not only around this council table, but our staff and our team and the partners that we have throughout the community that work with us,” Knox adds.
Knox points to ongoing work in the city around reconciliation and national advocacy issues as part of what contributed to the recognition.
“I think Portage La Prairie is doing a good job of not only working for ourselves in our community and our region, but pushing forward priorities for citizens across Canada, such as bail reform,” Knox continues.
She says the recognition will help support continued community work moving forward.
“We will use this in any way we can to continue to move Portage La Prairie forward even more,” Knox adds.
Council support and nomination
City councillors say Knox’s leadership played a key role in the nomination for the national award.
Joe Masi says council put forward Knox’s name based on a wide range of initiatives.
He points to work on bail reform, reconciliation efforts, and community engagement initiatives as part of the criteria considered for the award.
“When you look at the criteria for the award and for the things that the mayor has done on bail reform, there were a number of things,” Masi says. “It wasn’t just bail reform. Our apology to the Dakota Plains First Nation, our work with CEDI and having the powwow here.”
He also highlights Knox’s efforts to encourage more women to enter municipal politics and improve transparency at city hall.
Masi says Knox was the only recipient in the category this year, calling it a significant moment for the city.
He says the recognition reflects positively on both Knox and the broader community.
“It’s great… when Portage La Prairie is recognized like that,” Masi notes.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities represents local governments across Canada and advocates on issues affecting municipalities nationwide.
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