Donna Waddell, a former CAO and director of corporate services for the City of Charlottetown, has won the 2026 Bruce H. Yeo Award from the Federation of PEI Municipalities (FPEIM). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to municipal government in Prince Edward Island.
“Donna exemplified the professionalism and dedication that strong municipal government depends on,” said FPEIM President Bruce MacDougall, who presented the award at Charlottetown City Hall this week. “She earned tremendous respect for her knowledge, integrity, and willingness to help others. Her many contributions and years of service have had a lasting impact on the city and the municipal community of PEI.”
Waddell’s municipal career began in 1986 as executive director of FPEIM. She then became administrator of the Community of West Royalty in 1989. With the newly amalgamated City of Charlottetown, she served as director of corporate services beginning in 1995, and later as CAO from 2015 to 2016 and interim CAO from 2022 to 2023. She played a key role in municipal projects including transit system implementation, the Smart Communities initiative, and the Charlottetown Area Municipalities Act.
“Her leadership, dedication, and corporate knowledge have been instrumental in forming the city we know today,” said Sue Fraser, a former interim CAO and director of community services who nominated Waddell for the award.
Waddell said municipal work could be challenging but also incredibly rewarding. “You can see a project through from start to finish — whether you are constructing a building or starting a transit system,” she said.
She found particular motivation in witnessing the difference that municipal services made in people’s lives. “There is such a sense of satisfaction when you receive a comment from the public about how great the firefighters or the police were in their time of need. Municipal government really does offer the services closest to the people.”
| 2026 | Donna Waddell, former CAO, City of Charlottetown |
| 2025 | Shelley LaVie, CAO, Town of Souris |
| 2024 | Councillor Ivan Gallant, Town of Kensington |
| 2023 | David MacAdam, former Mayor, Rural Municipality of Morel |
| 2022 | Geoff Baker, CAO, Town of Kensington |
| 2021 | Peter Meggs, former Councillor, Town of Cornwall |
| 2020 | late Ralph Thompson, former Commissioner on Land and Local Governance |
| 2019 | David Dunphy, former Mayor, Town of Stratford |
| 2018 | Councillor Terry Bernard, City of Charlottetown |
| 2017 | Mayor Clifford Lee, City of Charlottetown |
| 2016 | Late Wade Williams, former Deputy Mayor, Town of Georgetown |
| 2015 | Former Mayor Michael Farmer, Town of Stratford |
| 2014 | Deputy Mayor Stu MacFadyen, City of Charlottetown |
| 2013 | Chairperson Terry McGrath, Community of Hunter River |
| 2012 | Mayor Richard Collins, Town of Montague |
| 2011 | CAO Robert Hughes, Town of Stratford |
| 2010 | Chairperson Faye Fraser, Community of Murray Harbour |
| 2009 | Councillor Irene Dawson, Town of Cornwall |
| 2008 | Deputy Mayor Steve MacDonald, Town of Stratford |
| 2007 | Mayor Basil Stewart, City of Summerside |
| 2006 | Harry Gaudet, former Administrator, City of Charlottetown |
| 2005 | Dianne Dowling, Administrator, Community of New Haven-Riverdale |
| 2004 | George MacDonald, former Mayor, City of Charlottetown |
| 2003 | Brenda MacDonald, Administrator, Resort Municipality |
| 2002 | Mayor Gerald McCarville, Town of Kensington |
| 2001 | Noel Wilson, former Chairperson of the Community of Cardigan |
| 2000 | Kingsley Lewis, Provincial Public Servant |
| 1999 | George Likely, Provincial Public Servant |
| 1998 | Don Smeltzer, Executive Director, MMTDB |
| 1997 | Phil Wood, Planner |
This award is granted annually by the Federation of PEI Municipalities to a full-time undergraduate student at the University of Prince Edward Island who exemplifies an interest in a career in Public Administration, is majoring in Political Studies, and obtained the highest average in his/her previous year of study.
Award Recipients
| 2024 | Joshua Maduka |
| 2018 | Dustin Jewell |
| 2016 | Ross Grant MacEwen |
| 2015 | Christian Gallant |
| 2014 | Travis William Gordon |
| 2013 | Janet E. McQuaid |
| 2012 | Lindsay Handren |
| 2011 | Holly MacInnis |
| 2011 | Ian Ritchie |
| 2010 | Shelley Louise Cole-Arbing |
| 2010 | David L. Ellis |
| 2010 | Christina Ann Fontaine |
| 2009 | Timothy Joseph Cullen |
| 2008 | Susan Jayne Frizzell |
| 2007 | Mike Patrick Keliher |
| 2006 | Christopher W Gillis |
| 2005 | Lauren Heather Perry |
| 2004 | Stefanie Anne Moore |
| 2003 | Sjors Reijers |
| 2002 | Heather Cox Diamond |
| 2001 | Barbara A Mayhew |
| 2000 | Kent Myron Turner |
The Rural Municipality of Murray Harbour has been recognized for its tireless efforts to improve the quality of life of its residents.
The Federation of PEI Municipalities (FPEIM) recently presented the rural municipality with the 2026 Municipal Achievement Award.
“Murray Harbour shows all of us how municipalities build strong communities in real and tangible ways,” said FPEIM President Bruce MacDougall. “The municipal council has worked to create spaces and facilities that residents enjoy, invested in services that residents rely on, and supported activities that bring people together.”
Over the past three years, council has secured funding for infrastructure projects that support the community. They include Heritage Park, a fishermen’s memorial, community centre upgrades, a community fridge, a community garden, Rail Head Park improvements, outdoor exercise equipment, and upgrades to recreation areas — including a soccer field, basketball nets, dog parks, and an outdoor rink. At the same time, councillors have lent their time and energy to activities such as Community School, seniors’ Christmas dinners, and community newsletters.
“While much of the recognition and gratitude comes from the community, it is extra special to be recognized by FPEIM,” said Councillor Pam Oickle, who accepted the award on council’s behalf along with CAO Anne Harnesk. “The Rural Municipality of Murray Harbour is honoured to receive this award.”
The presentation took place at the FPEIM annual general meeting in the City of Summerside.
| 2026 | Rural Municipality of Murray Harbour |
| 2025 | Rural Municipality of Miltonvale Park |
| 2024 | Town of Kensington |
| 2023 | City of Summerside |
| 2022 | Rural Municipality of Tyne Valley |
| 2021 | No award presented |
| 2020 | No award presented |
| 2019 | No award presented |
| 2018 | City of Charlottetown |
| 2017 | Community of Hunter River |
| 2016 | Town of Stratford |
| 2015 | Town of Stratford |
| 2014 | No award presented |
| 2013 | Community of Tignish |
| 2012 | No award presented |
| 2011 | Community of Murray Harbour |
| 2010 | Community of Victoria, Town of Stratford |
| 2009 | Community of Kinkora |
| 2008 | Community of Miltonvale Park, City of Summerside |
| 2007 | Resort Municipality |
| 2006 | Community of Tyne Valley |
| 2005 | Community of Tignish |
| 2004 | Town of Kensington, Town of Cornwall |
| 2003 | Resort Municipality |
| 2002 | Community of O’Leary, City of Charlottetown |