One of Kitimat’s longest-serving public officials has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her decades of public service and municipal leadership.
Joanne Monaghan was nominated by Kitimat Council for the national honour, citing her unwavering commitment to the community and local governance.
“She has been a tireless advocate for Kitimat and worked for decades to make Kitimat the community it is today,” the District of Kitimat said in a statement.
Eligibility for the medal requires recipients to have made a significant contribution to Canada, their community, or to have achieved distinction abroad that reflects credit on the country.
Monaghan entered public life in 1980 when she was elected to Kitimat council as an alderman, a title later updated to councillor. She held that position until 2008, when she became the municipality’s first female mayor, serving until 2014.
Her influence extended far beyond municipal hall. Monaghan held executive roles with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Union of B.C. Municipalities and the then-North Central Municipal Association. She also chaired the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, co-chaired the University of Northern British Columbia Advisory Committee, and served on numerous boards and associations.
During her tenure as UBCM president—one of only three women to hold the post—she signed a provincial consultation protocol requiring the B.C. government to formally consult with municipalities and regional districts before enacting legislation that affects them.
A pivotal moment during her time as mayor came when Kitimat council initially voted down the proposal to host LNG Canada. Monaghan said her support for the project solidified as she accompanied company delegates to the airport—an act she believes helped secure Kitimat’s role in the development. “I think that’s one of the reasons for this,” she said.
Monaghan said the Coronation Medal came as a surprise. “I’m very honoured. I never thought I’d get something like this.”
She credits her parents for instilling a deep sense of duty to help others. “If anyone was in distress, I felt it as an honour to help them. That’s one of the reasons they said I got the award. To me, that’s a little strange, as I believe that’s a thing that just needs to be done. When people need help, you help them.”
Her contributions extended beyond politics. She volunteered with the Northern Development Initiative Trust, led outreach workshops abroad on women in politics, and ran several local businesses for decades.
In 2017, she received the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Role of Honour award in recognition of her 18 years on the board and executive.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal is awarded to Canadians whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact on their communities or the country.
