Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization that fosters friendly competition between Canadian communities to beautify their civic spaces. It was established in 1995 as a national competition between 29 communities, and has since expanded to include competitions in various categories, both nationally and provincially. The competition is also called Communities in Bloom.

In order to participate in the competition, a community must register with Communities in Bloom, and submit a payment dependent on the community's population. The payment also depends on whether the community participates in the provincial or national competition.

The competition is divided into six criteria:

  • Tidiness,
  • Environmental Awareness,
  • Heritage Conservation,
  • Urban Forestry,
  • Landscaped Areas, and
  • Floral Displays.

Each community is judged on their capacity to improve the community in these categories. Communities are awarded a Bloom Rating based on its achievements from one to five. Each community is also recognized for achievement in a particular area or through a specific initiative.

Category awards are also given for communities that show great strength in one category in particular.

National Awards

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The Communities in Bloom national awards have been hosted by various municipalities across Canada.

Year City
1995 Ottawa, ON
1996 Hull, QC
1997 Winnipeg, MB
1999 Halifax, NS
2000 Edmonton, AB
2001 Saint John, NB
2002 Kelowna, BC
2003 Stratford, ON
2004 Charlottetown, PE
2005 Saskatoon, SK
2006 Brandon, MB
2007 Greater Moncton Region, NB
2008 Lethbridge, AB
2009 Vaughan, ON
2010 Halifax Regional Municipality, NS
2011 National Battlefields Commission

(Quebec City), QC

2012 Edmonton & Capital Region, AB
2013 National Capital Commission (Ottawa, ON)
2014 Charlottetown, PEI
2015 Kamloops, BC

See also

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