This award recognizes employees of the Public Service of Canada who have demonstrated excellence, professionalism and leadership in serving Canadians. Their accomplishments are examples of the important work performed by the men and women of the Public Service.

The Public Service is Canada's largest, most diverse and complex institution, with more lines of business and more points of service than any other organization in the country. It plays a crucial role in positioning Canada for success in today's global economy. The Public Service of Canada would not be the vibrant national institution it is today if it wasn't for individuals like these award winners-individuals who have dedicated themselves to their work and demonstrated innovation, professionalism and leadership.

I want to thank all 208 recipients of this year's Public Service Award of Excellence for their commitment and dedication to the Public Service. They are a source of inspiration to their peers and to future public servants.

The Right Honourable Prime Minister

Stephen Harper

Message from Wayne G. Wouters

Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

It is an honour for me to officially recognize the exceptional contributions of this year's Public Service Award of Excellence recipients.

In their day-to-day work, these public servants demonstrate excellence in serving Canadians while reflecting the values, ethics and priorities of the federal public service. From helping to celebrate veterans to providing income security for Canadians, and from helping the government become more environmentally friendly to supporting Canadians deployed in Afghanistan, this year's recipients embody the spirit of what it means to be a public servant.

This year, two new award categories have been added, including the Joan Atkinson Award. Joan Atkinson, who passed away last December, was a career public servant who demonstrated courage, wisdom and compassion throughout her 30 years of service and became the type of professional that many of us aspire to be. This new award pays tribute to her exemplary abilities and leadership.

As Clerk of the Privy Council and on behalf of the entire Public Service of Canada, I am privileged to congratulate all of the recipients. They should feel proud of what they have accomplished.

Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet

Wayne G. Wouters

Special Recognition – Judith LaRocque

Judith LaRocque, Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage, was recognized for her outstanding contribution and personal commitment to public service, for the coordination of the government's efforts for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

Recipient: Judith LaRocque, VIPs: Wayne Wouters

Special Recognition – Colonel Arthur Smith

Colonel Arthur Harcourt "Harky" Carrington Smith was recognized for his 57 years of dedicated service to the public service.

Recipient: Colonel Arthur Smith, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Robert Fonberg, Major General Ian Poulter

Recipients for 2010

Joan Atkinson Award
Outstanding Career
Excellence in Policy
Exemplary Contribution Under Extraordinary Circumstances
Management Excellence
Excellence in Citizen-Focused Service Delivery
Innovation
Employment Equity and Diversity
Youth
Official Languages

Joan Atkinson Award

Claudette Deschênes • Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Canadians thank Claudette Deschênes for her exceptional contribution to the Public Service of Canada, marked by courage, wisdom and compassion.

Recipient: Claudette Deschênes, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Melissa Atkinson, Neil Yeates Throughout her career, Ms. Deschênes' ability to maintain a sense of humour while tackling challenges head-on has earned her the respect of ministers, senior officials, partners and employees. Never afraid to speak frankly, she nevertheless remains respectful of people, regardless of their position. She is willing to take a stand, even if unpopular, on issues that are important to her department and the federal government as a whole.

With an infectious smile and genuine interest in people, Ms. Deschênes has guided various organizations through major transitions and difficult issues. She is always open to exploring and evaluating all options, and works well with others to find practical solutions. She consistently takes that extra step to make sure difficult situations are clearly explained and understood by everyone involved. Her leadership abilities and focus on collaboration have led to significant accomplishments.

Ms. Deschênes is committed to promoting workplace well-being and strives to create an environment in which ongoing dialogue can occur. She is very generous with her time and willing to give of herself. Dedicated to helping people achieve their full potential, she has mentored and counselled many employees, even going so far as to look for new and exciting job opportunities for them.

With her combination of personal qualities, exceptional abilities and superior leadership skills, Ms. Deschênes is a worthy choice to be the first recipient of this award. She epitomizes all the qualities demonstrated by Joan Atkinson.

Ms. Dechêsnes' career sends a clear message that an individual can make a significant and important contribution to the Public Service of Canada.

Nominated by Neil Yeates, Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and his management team.

Outstanding Career

Patricia Brennan • Public Safety Canada

Canadians applaud Patricia Brennan for helping to make the Public Service of Canada a highly efficient and professional workplace during her more than 20 years of public service.

Recipient: Patricia Brennan, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, William Baker Ms. Brennan has gained the respect of all her colleagues in her various administrative positions, first at Health Canada and then at the Manitoba Regional Office of Public Safety Canada. Through the efficient execution of her duties, she creates focus and organization. This work is done with a sensitivity and kindness that impress her colleagues.

Her ability to coordinate an office "from the ground up" has a direct and very positive impact on productivity. Within six months of arriving at the Manitoba Regional Office, she had helped create the measured, professional environment that was needed to deal with multi-agency issues related to emergency management and disaster recovery. She has a reputation for accuracy and integrity, and she is also noted for the quality of her advice, based on her in-depth knowledge of finance and administration.

Ms. Brennan also inspired her colleagues through her commitment to mentoring young people. She was a volunteer mentor for youth-at-risk and assisted in guiding some of the 9,000 applicants over an eight-year period, many of them now enjoying full-time careers in the Public Service. She was also instrumental in founding the Manitoba mentor network, which helps youth gain motivation, experience and skills.

She has a profound effect on her colleagues. When asked what her secret is, she explains that she has tried to keep learning every single day of her career and that mentoring has taught her a lot about how to lead and motivate people.

Ms. Brennan embodies Public Service values and ethics, and has been a source of inspiration for her colleagues and for youth.

Nominated by Cameron Buchanan, Regional Director, Manitoba Regional Office, Emergency Management and National Security Branch, Public Safety Canada.

Dr. Robert B. Cormier • National Crime Prevention Centre, Public Safety Canada

Canadians owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Robert Cormier for a career dedicated to improving our correctional and justice systems.

Recipient: Robert Cormier, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, William Baker When meeting Dr. Cormier, one is struck by his humanity. He always looks for the best in people and is motivated by a desire to see people succeed. A natural leader, he has touched the lives of many. In fact, one could say that service to others defines his 35 years in the Public Service of Canada.

Those years began at the former Department of the Solicitor General. Dr. Cormier, who trained as a psychologist, provided psychological services to prison inmates and conducted research to improve correctional policy and practice. His research has always respected diverging views and been conducted with the greatest integrity. He is well respected internationally and has established one of the best research teams in the world. The research, under Dr. Cormier's supervision, has provided a strong base of evidence for our correctional policies.

He has focused on understanding the behaviour of offenders and preventing future occurrences of criminal activity. His interest in the successful reintegration of inmates into society led to his passion for restorative justice, which emphasizes healing in victims and meaningful accountability of offenders. He has contributed significantly to this field of research and played a key role in elaborating the United Nations' principles of restorative justice.

To Dr. Cormier, being a civil servant is a great honour and responsibility. In his daily work, he lives by his strong values and ethics, and inspires commitment in other public servants. His genuine and respectful approach with both colleagues and offenders creates an environment of trust.

Canadians salute Dr. Cormier for an outstanding career, which has contributed significantly to healthier, safer communities.

Nominated by Daniel Sansfaçon, Director, Policy, Research and Evaluation Division, National Crime Prevention Centre, Public Safety Canada.

R. Sinclair Donnelly • Public Safety Canada

Canadians celebrate R. Sinclair Donnelly for his outstanding commitment to defending Canada with honour and distinction for over half a century.

Recipient: R. Sinclair Donnelly, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, W. Baker Mr. Donnelly is one of the longest-serving public servants in the history of our country. For 56 years, he has protected our nation and its citizens through his work as a soldier in the military and as a civilian with Public Safety Canada.

Mr. Donnelly joined the Canadian Forces in 1951 and served 36 years at home and abroad. He was sought out for his sound advice and his determination to improve the effectiveness of the military. After retiring from the Forces, he joined the former Department of Emergency Preparedness, where he made significant contributions to improving civil emergency response, both domestically and among allied nations. As a representative of Canada, he has had a far-reaching international influence, earning respect and praise.

During the 1990s, he was instrumental in developing the Canadian National Exercise (CANATEX) series of national emergency exercises, which brought together all levels of government. The application he developed led to financial savings and was considered leading-edge technology. His knowledge and advice have been essential during emergencies such as the 1998 Eastern Canada ice storm, the September 11 terrorist attacks and the August 2003 power blackout.

Mr. Donnelly is passionate about mentoring and sharing his vast knowledge, especially with the next generation of public servants to help them meet the challenges of the future. He has motivated his mentees to continuously look for new challenges and embrace them as opportunities.

In his long and illustrious career, Mr. Donnelly has served his country well, and says he would like nothing better than to continue serving for another 56 years.

Nominated by Pat Davies, Exercise Manager, and Allan Hubley, Senior Program Officer, Emergency Management and National Security Branch, Public Safety Canada.

Tony Keeshig • Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

The Public Service of Canada commends Tony Keeshig for his dedication to promoting harmonious labour relations throughout his career.

For 35 years, Mr. Keeshig worked as a labour relations expert at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), where he transformed the union-management culture from confrontation to cooperation. As a result of his leadership skills, INAC today enjoys one of the most productive and balanced working environments in the federal government.

A person of gentleness, wisdom and honesty, Mr. Keeshig treats everyone with respect and dignity. He has a wonderful ability to find the common thread in two opposing viewpoints and to help adversaries see that common ground, turning opponents into working partners. As a negotiator, he is tough, but also compassionate. Everyone is regarded as equal, regardless of position in the organization.

Mr. Keeshig drew on the integrity and professionalism of others to achieve a respectful and healthy working environment at INAC. By establishing a process in which all parties were heard, he ensured that they worked together toward a solution. He inspired managers to excel in their handling of workplace issues, so that most issues are now resolved at the first level of management. He also promoted team-building skills, most notably on the National Union-Management Consultation Committee and in various staff relations workshops.

Mr. Keeshig is revered by the thousands of colleagues he has worked with and coached over the years. He has received two awards-the Queen's Jubilee Commemorative Medal and the Deputy Minister's Pride and Recognition Award.

Tony Keeshig has exemplified the values and ethics of the Public Service of Canada throughout his career.

Nominated by Marielle Doyon, Director General, Human Resources and Workplace Services Branch, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

George F. Redling • Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

The Public Service of Canada recognizes George Redling for his lifelong dedication to public policy.

Recipient: George Redling, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Michelle d'Auray On a daily basis, Mr. Redling demonstrates his integrity and commitment to public service. He has consistently delivered highly effective policies and services. His remarkable ability to clearly define a problem and propose practical solutions has earned him the respect of colleagues and the trust of ministers.

Mr. Redling's leadership and vision have led to a greater awareness of the importance of regulations and their impact on Canadians and Canada's trading partners. For more than 11 years, virtually every regulatory proposal considered by Treasury Board ministers was presented by Mr. Redling, accompanied with expert and thoughtful advice. Under his tutelage, his staff reviewed all regulations to challenge whether they balanced the need to minimize regulatory burden with the need to protect Canadians and the environment.

In fact, he was the catalyst for the efforts to reform federal regulations, which led to the Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation in 2007. This directive has established Canada as a world leader in regulatory governance. In addition, he was influential in integrating the concept of "value for money" into the Government's financial management practices.

Mr. Redling's accomplishments in the regulatory field have also had a profound impact on the regulatory function internationally. He is highly regarded for his expertise and has been called upon to chair various committees of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Always respectful of colleagues and staff, he has been called "a true gentleman." He is dedicated to effective management and works hard to identify, recruit and develop talented employees. In fact, many of his recruits have advanced into senior positions.

Mr. Redling's career in service to Canada has been truly inspiring and embodies the values and ethics that strengthen the Public Service.

Nominated by Michael Presley, Assistant Secretary, Regulatory Affairs, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Excellence in Policy

Discover Canada Citizenship Guide Team • Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Joyce A. Adubofuor, Anna Arneson, Raylene Baker, Mondher BenHassine, Jae Won Chung, Lisa Cronier-Gabel, Justin Dumais, Amélie Duplessis-Giroux, Agata M. Frankowicz, Andrew Griffith, Patrick A. Guillot, Ümit Mustafa Kiziltan, Alanna MacDougall

Canadians can thank the Discover Canada Citizenship Guide Team for telling Canada's story in a simple and compelling way and for making citizenship more meaningful.

Recipient: Discover Canada Citizenship Guide Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Neil Yeates Canada's citizenship guide, which helps newcomers prepare for the citizenship test and informs Canadians about their rights and responsibilities, had not been revised since 1995. The job assigned to the Discover Canada Citizenship Guide Team was immense. How do you accurately reflect Canadian values and expectations of citizenship- How do you decide what key events form Canada's history and whose interpretation of these events to use-

Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship is a first-class publication. Written in simple language, the text is authoritative and honest, and respects the reader. It conveys, without embellishment, a great deal of information about such key areas as Canada's history, geography, industry, business and society. It also highlights the important issues and values that have played and will continue to play a part in shaping this country, without ignoring difficult issues, such as cultural practices that are not acceptable in Canada and our involvement in the three major wars of the last century.

One of the keys to the team's success was the strong relationships it developed. Consulting broadly across departments and with outside experts helped ensure the integrity and balance of the guide, as well as its credibility. Another key was the team's focus on risk mitigation. Although the team was responsive to comments and criticisms, it found the right balance between acceptance and rejection of the various content and language issues that arose.

The Discover Canada Citizenship Guide Team deserves our praise for this excellent guide that gives new and established Canadians a real sense of our country.

Nominated by Les Linklater, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy, Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

H1N1 Policy Team • Public Health Agency of Canada, Privy Council Office and Health Canada

Gina Charos, Alixanderia Clymans, Carolyn J. Finlayson, Tricia Geddes (PCO), James Gilbert, Lisa Gomes, Glenn Mason (PCO), Barbara Moran (HC), Caroline Pitfield (HC), Stephanie Priest (HC), Nicholas Robinson, Jennifer Saxe, Steven Schwendt (HC), Tara Shannon (PCO), Mélanie-Anne Way

The H1N1 Policy Team is to be commended for its efforts to protect the health of Canadians during the H1N1 crisis.

Recipient: H1N1 Policy Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Glenda Yeates The H1N1 pandemic presented a significant challenge for public health and public policy in Canada. Due to the efforts of the H1N1 Policy Team, the Government of Canada was better positioned to respond effectively to this challenge. The team collaborated with key stakeholders, including the international community, and ensured that senior policy officials had timely access to clear information.

The team worked in a high-pressure environment, dealing with a quickly evolving situation. Each and every team member made considerable personal sacrifices to ensure that the best decisions for the health and safety of Canadians were made.

The team quickly became the go-to group for innovative solutions to complex problems. Understanding the risks of a reactive approach, it developed a framework to allow for advanced planning. It played a key role in securing sufficient vaccine and making it accessible to every Canadian who needed and wanted it, well ahead of most countries.

One of the biggest challenges was the significant amount of technical and scientific information and data that was constantly being updated. Team members became very skilled at breaking down this data, extracting the policy implications and preparing effective briefing materials for ministers. This was critical for effective crisis management.

The team was also instrumental in ensuring a government-wide approach to the crisis. It engaged stakeholders and facilitated critical decision making around federal, provincial and territorial tables. Likewise, the team was able to draw on well-established international partnerships to gather intelligence and maintain Canada's position on the world stage.

Through its strategic thinking, innovation and action management, the H1N1 Policy Team ensured an effective national response to the H1N1 situation, protecting the health of Canadians and Canada's international reputation.

Nominated by Jane Billings, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Health Agency of Canada.

Hélène Laurendeau • Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Hélène Laurendeau used excellent negotiation and policy-building skills to help develop legislation with significant impacts on the Public Service of Canada.

Recipient: Hélène Laurendeau, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Michelle d'Auray In 2009, Ms. Laurendeau was involved in developing two important pieces of legislation: the Public Service Equitable Compensation Act modernized the Public Service pay-equity system under the principle of equal pay for work of equal value; the Expenditure Restraint Act set increases in the rates of pay of public servants while maintaining collective bargaining. These two pieces of legislation were developed under very tight deadlines. The beginning of the global economic crisis also complicated this task.

Ms. Laurendeau was crucial in helping the Government manoeuvre through the complex and delicate development of these acts. She brought together many divergent interests and built an extraordinary team by engaging her colleagues in the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, the Privy Council Office and other departments. Guided by her in-depth policy knowledge and experience, she led her team in crafting sound policy approaches that could withstand the scrutiny of parliamentary committees.

At the same time, Ms. Laurendeau and her team were able to successfully negotiate 26 collective agreements that were acceptable to the bargaining agents, the Government and many other key interest groups. These agreements ensured fairness while respecting fiscal restraint. Key to this success were Ms. Laurendeau's abilities as a negotiator and her sense of fairness. She earned the trust and respect of her superiors and her peers on both sides of the table.

Ms. Laurendeau has achieved excellence in policy for her essential contribution to the development of two pieces of legislation that benefit Canadians while balancing the interests of the Government and employees across the Public Service.

Nominated by Monique Lebel-Ducharme, Executive Director, Strategic Communications and Parliamentary Relations, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Ian C. MacDonald • Department of Finance Canada

Canada was able to help developing countries respond to the 2009 global economic crisis because of Ian MacDonald's outstanding skill in developing policy.

Recipient: Ian MacDonald, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Graham Flack At the height of the economic crisis, private capital became increasingly scarce, especially in developing and emerging markets. This created a growing pressure on the multilateral development banks, such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to respond quickly to fill the gap. At the same time, the development banks were facing their own borrowing and lending constraints.

This is when Ian MacDonald stepped in. He conceived a simple but highly innovative way to allow the IDB to take advantage of Canada's strong credit rating. Canada's offer of time-limited callable capital permitted the IDB to increase its lending. Callable capital serves as guarantees that are subject to call only as and when required by the bank to meet its obligations.

Mr. MacDonald took his innovative idea from conception to reality in a matter of weeks, which is very unusual but was essential under the circumstances. He successfully led negotiations with domestic and international stakeholders to complete the legal framework and pave the way for approval. His ability to work with other organizations allowed Canada to quickly position itself as a leader in responding to the financial crisis in the Americas and, later, in Africa through a related partnership with the African Development Bank.

Today, the idea of temporary capital is of much interest and is being actively explored at other development banks. Mr. MacDonald's innovation remains one of the most important achievements in Canada's foreign policy drive to improve relations with the Americas.

Thanks to Ian MacDonald, Latin American and African countries were able to promote economic growth and recovery during the financial crisis, and Canada has improved its leadership position at G20 and G8 discussions.

Nominated by Graham Flack, Assistant Deputy Minister, International Trade and Finance, Department of Finance Canada.

Exemplary Contribution Under Extraordinary Circumstances

Cliff Central Heating and Cooling Plant Emergency Response Team • Public Works and Government Services Canada

Jim Albers, Luc Bazinet, Mike Cavan, Brian F. Cooke, Hélène Gauthier, Ralph Greenough, Brian Kendall, Lucie Lanctôt, Wally Leonard, Luc R. Martin, Ivan Mavretic, William Montgomery, Guy Nantel, Michael Poulin, Robert Rowe, John Shannon, Tomasz Smetny-Sowa, Thomas Sutton, Pierre Vaillancourt

Thanks to the emergency response team, the Government of Canada and the private sector were able to continue essential services after the explosion of a boiler at the Cliff Central Heating and Cooling Plant.

Recipient: Cliff Central Heating and Cooling Plant ERT, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, F. Guimont The explosion caused the immediate loss of all heating and cooling services from this plant, affecting 52 key buildings in Ottawa, including the Parliament, Bank of Canada and Supreme Court of Canada buildings. It also injured three individuals, one fatally.

Despite the trauma of losing a colleague, the emergency response team reacted immediately. The team worked long and hard to coordinate the delivery of steam and chilled water. Throughout the emergency, the team did not waver in its commitment to ensuring that Parliament remained operational, critical government services remained available and more than 50,000 building occupants experienced minimal disruption.

Team members demonstrated patience and sensitivity in responding to the different needs of clients. A SWAT team visited each building to meet with operations staff, providing guidance on and creative approaches for reducing the use of steam. Daily situation reports allowed clients to prioritize their daily operations.

Clients were very appreciative of the team's efforts. For instance, the National Arts Centre thanked the team for helping it maintain operations during its busiest time of year. The Library of Parliament praised the team's technical ability in balancing the strict environmental controls necessary to ensure the preservation of the Main Library's highly valuable and historic rare book collection.

The Cliff Central Heating and Cooling Plant Emergency Response Team did an incredible job and is more than deserving of the Public Service Award of Excellence for Exemplary Contribution Under Extraordinary Circumstances.

Nominated by Mark Campbell, Director General, National Capital Area Operations Sector, Public Works and Government Services Canada.

Haiti Earthquake Team • Interdepartmental Task Force on Natural Disasters Abroad

Isabelle Bérard (CIDA), Martin Bolduc (CBSA), Debora A. Brown (DFAIT), A/Commr Mike Cabana (RMCP), Cmdre D.C. Gardam (DND), Rénald Gilbert (CIC), Elissa A. Golberg (DFAIT), James Lambert (DFAIT), BGen Guy Laroche, OMM, MSC, CD (DND), Bob Lesser (PS), Matthew Levin (PCO), Leslie E. Norton (CIDA), Serge Paquette (DFAIT), Gilles Rivard (DFAIT), Françoise Secours (CSC)

Canadians are grateful to the Haiti Earthquake Team for its outstanding contribution to Canada's relief effort following the Haiti earthquake.

Recipient: Haiti Earthquake Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Neil Yeates, Morris Rosenberg, William Baker Within one hour of the earthquake, the Haiti Earthquake Team sprang into action, rapidly and effectively. Team members worked ceaselessly over the days and weeks that followed to alleviate the pain and suffering of the Haitian people and to assist Canadian citizens and their families affected by the disaster.

The team was led by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada but had members from many departments. Each of the managers mentioned above led teams of people who worked night and day. To all of these civil servants, Canada extends its appreciation through this award of excellence.

The interdepartmental team worked together to ensure that the response was a significant and effective whole-of-government effort. Nearly 2,000 Canadian Forces and civilian personnel were rapidly deployed to Haiti, and some 5,000 Canadians and Haitian children were evacuated. Team members were responsible for transporting and distributing thousands of tonnes of humanitarian supplies and treating over 21,000 patients. They searched for survivors, identified the dead and cleared roads. Back in Canada, they managed the hundreds of volunteers, liaised with families and addressed complex adoption issues.

A notable success story was the organization of a major international conference in Montréal with only a few days' notice. The conference brought key international players together to review the situation in Haiti and plan for early recovery and long-term reconstruction. Thanks to the team's efforts, Canada was the first country to promote strong international collaboration.

The leadership and dedication shown by the Haiti Earthquake Team in its response to the Haiti earthquake disaster exemplify the ideals and values of the Public Service and of Canadians as a whole.

This team is composed of members from the following organizations (in alphabetical order): Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian International Development Agency, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Correctional Service Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, National Defence, Privy Council Office, Public Safety Canada and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Nominated by Kerry Buck, Assistant Deputy Minister, Programs and Departmental Security, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.

Management Excellence

Deborah Danis • Canada Revenue Agency

Deborah Danis has shown outstanding leadership and consistently exceeded expectations in achieving Canada Revenue Agency goals and objectives.

Recipient: Deborah Danis, VIPs: Daphne Meredith, Linda Lizotte-MacPherson Ms. Danis has had a significant impact on thousands of employees. An enthusiastic leader and innovative thinker, she is highly respected and adored by those who have worked with or for her. Her ability to develop a vision and to communicate it has enabled her to achieve considerable success in her endeavours.

Her leadership was clearly demonstrated during a project to change the organizational structure of local offices to better support Agency initiatives, an endeavour that had failed several times before. Through her passion and commitment to move this difficult file forward, she was able to engage her peers, within the region and at headquarters, as well as the unions to bring the project to a successful conclusion.

Ms. Danis also has a unique knack for developing and fostering collaborative relationships. She is sought out by her colleagues and is involved in many regional and national committees. Her consultative style ensures that the needs of all stakeholders are addressed.

Proactive and supportive of her staff, Ms. Danis focuses on development and continuous learning. She takes the time to meet one-on-one with her managers and consults frequently with employees through meetings and learning events. She also mentors and coaches many people at various levels, and implements enhanced learning strategies and forums for all levels of her team. Her caring attitude toward her employees has been critical in bringing about a positive change in the office culture.

Deborah Danis is an outstanding leader whose commitment and dedication to Canada Revenue Agency goals and to the Public Service as a whole is exemplary of excellence in management.

Nominated by Manish Goel, Assistant Director, Audit Division, Toronto North Tax Services Office, Canada Revenue Agency.

Michael Egan • Veterans Affairs Canada

The Public Service of Canada applauds Michael Egan for his excellence in all areas of management.

Recipient: Michael Egan, VIPs: Daphne Meredith, Suzanne Tining Mr. Egan led a mental health team that was responsible for designing, developing and implementing the Mental Health Strategy at Veterans Affairs Canada. He has been the consistent force in making the mental health file a priority within and across organizations, and achieving its long-term objectives.

The real proof of Mr. Egan's excellence as a manager is the fact that his team nominated him for this award. The other proof is that his small unit has accomplished a mountain of change over the years to improve the lives of veterans and their families, particularly in the area of mental health.

His team cites his ability to create a respectful and empowering environment where employees are inspired to exceed expectations. A caring and supportive person, Mr. Egan exemplifies a good work-life balance and encourages his employees to find perspective.

A true manager, he leads by encouraging and facilitating. He provides direction as needed and empowers his team to develop creative approaches to service delivery. The resulting environment of respect and creativity has led to high morale and high productivity.

As well, with his clear understanding of organizational and human dynamics, he strategically positions the team to its best advantage within the organization. Mr. Egan maintains strong relations with his colleagues and partners, and ensures that a collaborative approach achieves results.

Mr. Egan's greatest ability, however, is to anticipate and envision the needs of the future and then engage team members and partners in delivering that future. The end result is success in achieving his vision of improved mental health programs and services at Veterans Affairs Canada and across the country.

Mr. Egan is the perfect model of a Public Service manager.

Nominated by the Mental Health Directorate, Veterans Affairs Canada.

Daniel Ross • National Defence

Mr. Ross's leadership excellence has helped make the Canadian men and women in combat safer and more effective.

Recipient: Daniel Ross, VIPs: Daphne Meredith, Robert Fonberg, Major General Ian Poulter Managing procurement for a large and vital organization is not easy. Mr. Ross, however, has done better than just maintaining a well-functioning team. Under his leadership, his team is now recognized for excellence in service delivery and is a forward-looking and adaptable force in the department.

The achievements of his team include an unprecedented number of defence purchases, especially for Canada's land, air and sea fleets. Most importantly, it delivered essential equipment in response to the urgent combat and life-saving needs of the men and women serving Canada in Afghanistan. Mr. Ross recently received a commendation from the Chief of the Defence Staff for his leadership in this work, which has saved many lives.

At the same time, Mr. Ross led several fundamental changes to modernize the department's procurement process and logistics structure. He worked to bring the entire range of his group's activities into a coherent focus aligned with government priorities. The impact of this work can be seen most strikingly in the "Mounted Soldier Survivability" initiative that has made it a priority to identify and mitigate vehicle vulnerabilities, thereby saving lives and reducing injuries.

His dynamic management of human resources has helped to ensure an engaged and sustainable workforce. A number of his creative initiatives are now used department-wide. In addition, as learning champion, Mr. Ross has transformed the department into a learning organization.

Thanks to Daniel Ross, National Defence is prepared for the challenges of the future.

Nominated by Robert Fonberg, Deputy Minister, National Defence.

Excellence in Citizen-Focused Service Delivery

Aboriginal Birth Registration Initiative Team • Service Canada

Robert Blaquière (ServiceOntario), Suzanne Dupont, Jodie Dyer, Asim Hussain (ServiceOntario), Amanda Kakekaspan, Curtis Lockett, Harriet McKay, Anna Marie Nowitski, Marie-Claude Ravenelle, June Trout

The service-oriented approach of the Aboriginal Birth Registration Initiative Team is improving access to birth certificate and birth registration services for Aboriginal people in remote northern communities in Ontario.

Recipient: Aboriginal Birth Registration Initiative Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Janice Charette The team is helping Aboriginal people access Ontario's birth registration process by providing them and health care workers in their communities with information about the process. This outreach has become an integral part of the regular visits by Service Canada staff to provide Government of Canada services to remote northern Ontario Aboriginal communities.

Registration of a birth is essential in Canada today; it creates a permanent identity record that is needed to obtain a health card, Indian status and a Social Insurance Number, which are essential to access services critical to well-being. To address this issue, ServiceOntario and Service Canada officials worked with Aboriginal leaders, health clinic staff, and other federal and provincial partners. This broad collaboration, in the spirit of "making it easier," led to a service model that is sustainable and cost-effective.

The initiative has led to an immediate increase in the number of birth registrations. The in-person support provided by the team has been critical to this success. Another factor in the initiative's success is that, for the first time, communications are being provided in Ojibway and Oji-Cree, and local Aboriginal people have been trained to offer direct citizen services in these languages. This has increased Service Canada's representation in local labour markets, thereby improving employment equity in the federal public service.

Canadians applaud the Aboriginal Birth Registration Initiative Team for showing how to offer essential Government services in a cost-effective and culturally appropriate manner.

Nominated by Mary Crescenzi, Senior Executive Director, Citizen Services Branch and Labour Market Social Development Programs Branch, Ontario Region, Service Canada.

Bundled Birth Services Team • Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Patricia C. Beamish (ServCan), Nathalie Bédard (HRSDC), Michèle Bélanger-Petrucci (HRSDC), John R. Farine (ServCan), Kealey Ann Field, Jim Hay, Richard Laplante, Terry LeBlanc, Patrick A. Lychak, Erin MacLean (HRSDC), Andrée Mathieu (ServCan), Heather O'Driscoll, Jack Pearson, Dani Srour (ServCan)

The Bundled Birth Services Team worked hard to ensure that parents of newborn children in Nova Scotia had a streamlined and efficient way to access government services.

Recipient: Bundled Birth Services Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, J. Charette, Linda Lizotte-MacPherson Members of the team worked to eliminate the need to fill out three separate forms. Parents in Nova Scotia can now indicate on the birth registration form issued by the hospital that information about themselves and their child may be sent to the Canada Revenue Agency and Service Canada.

Parents are enthusiastic about the service and have overwhelmingly accepted this new service option. The Canada Revenue Agency registers the child for all child benefit programs, such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit and the Universal Child Care Benefit. Service Canada issues a Social Insurance Number, which facilitates access to various federal programs.

To make this service possible, the team worked in partnership with various levels of government. It used an existing infrastructure (National Routing System) to ensure that data was securely and reliably transferred. Differing technologies, legislation and mandates were challenging, but the team overcame these obstacles to successfully implement the service.

The service saves significant time and reduces duplication of effort for both citizens and government. In addition, the system improves the integrity of the data, since the information is provided directly by an authoritative source. The service is also environmentally friendly, decreasing the paper burden for both citizens and government.

All in all, Bundled Birth Services is a win-win solution. It respects citizen choice, securely manages personal information, improves service delivery and enhances the integrity of the data and resulting delivery of benefits.

By offering services to citizens how, when and where they want them, the Bundled Birth Services Team has exemplified excellence in delivering services focused on citizens.

Nominated by George Arsenijevic, Assistant Commissioner, Assessment and Benefit Services Branch, Canada Revenue Agency.

Financial Literacy Team • Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and Department of Finance Canada

Martine Bélanger, Susan Murray (FIN), Émilie René, Jane Rooney, Jérémie Ryan

More Canadian youth are now ready to face the financial challenges that lie ahead, thanks to the Financial Literacy Team.

Recipient: Financial Literacy Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Ursula Menke The team created an interactive online world called The City that engages students, in a fun way, in lifelong lessons about money. For each of the topics, fictional characters deal with real-life financial problems that students are encouraged to discuss and solve. In addition, various hands-on activities help students understand basic concepts such as credit, debt and financial planning, and practice life skills, including protecting themselves from identity theft, frauds and scams.

To develop the program, the Financial Literacy Team transformed the award-winning course The City Financial Life Skills Resource, developed by the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC). Working with the BCSC, not-for-profit organizations, and provincial and territorial ministries of education, the team ensured that The City connected to youth. In addition, the team used its limited federal funds to leverage additional resources from its partners to make the program truly national.

Given the ingenuity and effectiveness of the program, it's not surprising that The City is used by approximately 13,000 students and is part of the secondary school curriculums in seven Canadian provinces and territories. The City is being adapted for college students, Aboriginals and new immigrants. It has even sparked international interest; Australia, New Zealand and Jamaica are interested in integrating the program into their curriculums, with the help of the Financial Literacy Team. There is no doubt that this dedicated and innovative team will continue to promote this excellent program.

Canada can be grateful that the Financial Literacy Team is helping students learn to navigate the financial realities of our society.

Nominated by Joseph Christian de Pencier, Senior Counsel, Department of Justice Canada.

First Nations Action and Support Team • Health Canada

Hertha Holland, Annie Howard, Carole Patrick, Jennifer Robinson, Judith Stein

The members of the First Nations Action and Support Team (FAST) have had unparalleled success in helping youth in northern British Columbia choose life.

Recipient: First Nations Action and Support Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Glenda Yeates Suicide is a significant concern in Aboriginal communities. The FAST initiative addressed this issue head-on in the Hazelton area of northern British Columbia, which had an especially high rate of youth suicide. The team's efforts to educate, train and support the communities in this region have had significant positive results, reducing the suicide rate to zero in two years.

One of the main elements of the team's successful approach to suicide prevention is peer support. First Nations youth are taught three simple steps: ask, listen and look for red flags, and act by getting help. They are given the signs to watch for. Another element is rapid response to critical incidents; to achieve this, FAST brought together paraprofessionals from 15 First Nations communities. They developed best practices that integrate traditional Aboriginal healing practices with mainstream western approaches.

A third key element is mobilizing the community. FAST members worked with the communities as well as First Nations leaders, health care providers and provincial partners. They sought innovative ways to address immediate issues, based on the needs and resources of each community.

The FAST approach makes more efficient use of resources and reduces fragmentation of care. It strengthens linkages between all sectors, with a continuous system of care and improved working relationships among health care providers. This approach can be used by other regions, adapting it to the particular needs of each community.

With its vision of helping First Nations youth embrace life through constructive activities, the First Nations Action and Support Team has given Canada an excellent model of suicide prevention.

Nominated by Carole Patrick, Regional Consultant, Mental Health, First Nations and Inuit Health, Health Canada.

New EI Measures Systems Implementation Team • Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Mary Aaftink, Russell Allen, Anthony Boonstra, Garry J. Butchart, Sandra Clark, Stella Cormier-Clavel, Brenda Flood, Bhaskar Gupta, Brian Inouye, Jamil Jamal, Jack McCarthy, Richard Minguy, Tina Moffatt, Ian R. Pitt, Terry Vipond

Canadians owe a debt of gratitude to this Human Resources and Skills Development Canada team for ensuring that the Employment Insurance (EI) program met their needs accurately and as quickly as possible, despite the economic downturn.

Recipient: New EI Measures Systems Implementation Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, J. Charette The New EI Measures Systems Implementation Team was responsible for making adjustments to the benefit payment system that were necessary to implement the changes to the Employment Insurance program announced in Canada's Economic Action Plan. The new benefits required complex adjustments to the system, for which there was considerable risk of error.

Despite the scale of this task, which would normally have taken months, the team worked very quickly to implement solutions so that the changes could be made within the tight time frames. Adding to the difficulty of the task were regular modifications to the mandate and scope of the project. However, because of the team's dedication and resourcefulness, all adjustments were completed successfully and within the established deadlines.

At the same time, the team also had to make sure that there was no impact on normal operations, despite a considerable increase in the number of claims. This included ensuring the accurate and timely release of approximately 600,000 weekly EI payments and the quick resolution of any issues.

The team's success was directly related to its ability to adapt and work collaboratively with others toward a common purpose. In the face of intense pressure and with no room for error, the team members were professional, collaborative and innovative.

With their extraordinary dedication and solution-focused approach, members of the New EI Measures Systems Implementation Team have set a high standard of excellence in delivering services to Canadians.

Nominated by Sue Foster, Acting Director General, Policy, Appeals and Quality, Service Canada.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program – Olympic Team

Elizabeth K. Alt (CIC), Greg Anstruther (ServCan), Lucie Charette (HRSDC), Jason Daigle (CBSA), Rob Daly (HRSDC), Paul Desautels (CIC), Robinson Garland (HRSDC), Carolyn M. Hackland (HRSDC), Lynn Hehir (CIC), Linda Lamoureux (HRSDC), Marilyn Leonidas (ServCan), Don MacKay (CBSA), Steve Pageau (HRSDC), Angela Rea (HRSDC), Sheila Thomas (CIC), Salam Touma (HRSDC), Tara D. Willetts (CIC)

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program-Olympic Team made a significant contribution to ensuring that the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were a shining example of cooperation.

Recipient: Temporary Foreign Worker Program – Olympic Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, J. Charette, Neil Yeates Thousands of workers were needed to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games such a success. Many of these were, by necessity, foreign workers. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program-Olympic Team streamlined the normal process for hiring foreign workers, making it easy for employers to obtain the labour force they needed in plenty of time to keep their business running smoothly during the Games.

With energy and enthusiasm, the team overcame regulatory limitations, conflicting mandates and a very rigid deadline to develop an innovative process unique to the Olympics. Despite its innovation, however, the team ensured that the integrity of the Canadian immigration system, Canadian jobs and the rights of foreign workers were protected.

The real success story, however, is the good will of all involved who worked together to bridge various mandates and priorities. This was a true exercise in coordination and consensus building between headquarters and the region, among various levels of government and with a diverse group of stakeholders. The team also had to deal with an extremely sensitive and politically charged environment since its proposed process required Cabinet approval.

Throughout the project, the team remained positive and created strong relations with all partners. It developed an efficient and effective process that respected each organization's mandate and resulted in a one-stop-shop experience for businesses. Some of the measures put in place could easily influence how regular business is done in the future.

In showing us all how to work together to achieve a dream and how innovation can lead to added efficiencies and better service to Canadians, this team epitomizes excellence in citizen-centred service.

This team is composed of members from the following organizations (in alphabetical order): Canada Border Services Agency, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Service Canada.

Nominated by James Sutherland, Director General, Branch Management and Integrity, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

Innovation

Human Resources and Field Operations Team, Afghanistan

Stefanie Beck (DFAIT), Capt Hugo Boilard (DND), Michael Collins (CIDA), Hanane Ellaiti (DFAIT), Troy D. Grant, Captain CD1 (DND), Julanar R. Green (DFAIT), Susan Gregson (DFAIT), Susan Harrison (DND), Jennifer Hart (PCO), Tudor Hera (DFAIT), Glen R. Hodgins (DFAIT), Bob Johnston (CIDA), Sgt Steve Kerr (RCMP), Martin Maltby (CSC), David B. Muirhead (RCMP), Joanne Nolan (CIDA), Rae Raymond (DFAIT), Lee Redpath (CSC), Renetta Siemens (DFAIT), Robyn Simard (DFAIT), Paul A. Young (RCMP)

The Human Resources and Field Operations Team has created innovative practices to support Canada's mission in Afghanistan.

Recipient: Human Resources and Field Operations Team, Afghanistan, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Morris Rosenberg, Margaret Biggs, Greta Bossenmaier When Parliament decided to expand the mandate of Canada's mission in Afghanistan in 2008, the number of deployed civilians grew significantly in just over a year. A whole-of-government effort was needed to support these civilians in one of the most dangerous and complex environments in the world.

The work of this team was remarkable in scope. In a very short time, it developed creative and innovative strategies to meet the special human resources and operational needs of civilian staff. Team members put aside departmental interests and worked collaboratively to create common standards for staffing, learning and support activities. They considered the well-being of the civilians in Afghanistan and their needs here at home, including career management, family support and reintegration into Canadian society.

In particular, the team developed innovative methods for selecting personnel and for training and preparing them for the war zone. A completely new approach to compensation was also needed, so the team designed packages geared to the level of hardship, including rest and relaxation measures. In addition, it strengthened employee assistance programs and developed a strong strategy for managing critical incidents.

The team's innovative work surpassed expectations and had an immediate impact on the deployed Canadian civilians and the Afghanistan mission as a whole. It also transformed how departments work together and will serve as a model for future missions undertaken by the Government of Canada. Many of our allies have followed this example as they expand their own civilian teams.

Canadians can thank the members of the whole-of-government Human Resources and Field Operations Team for ensuring the well-being of our citizens in Afghanistan.

This team is composed of members from the following organizations (in alphabetical order): the Canadian International Development Agency, Correctional Service Canada, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, National Defence, the Privy Council Office and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Nominated by Greta Bossenmaier, Deputy Minister, Afghanistan Task Force, Privy Council Office.

Joint Management Team • Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Paul Albert, Michel Boissonnault, Carole Doiron, Roch Fortin, Carl Haché, Sylvain Leclerc, Roland Richard

The Joint Management Team has restored a climate of co-operation on the Acadian Peninsula through proactive communication.

Recipient: Joint Management Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Al Nause The coastal communities of the Acadian Peninsula, which are primarily dependent on fishing, have been tension-filled for a good many years. The beginning of lobster season would usher in a number of incidents that ranged from simple misdemeanours to criminal offences. Although officials of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) would monitor the situation closely, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) would get involved. The fishermen, however, would object to this intervention and, as a result, relations between the DFO, the RCMP and the fishermen were strained, countless complaints were made, and the image of the region was seriously tarnished.

At this point, the Joint Management Team became involved and began a two-year conciliation process. The team adopted a proactive and innovative approach in which 30 members of the RCMP were given training on the basics of the fishing industry. They were also invited on board fishing boats to observe first-hand the realities of this type of work. The initiative generated positive and respectful relationships between the three groups.

The members of the team and police officers then visited the villages to better identify local needs and understand the challenges facing DFO officers. Long before the beginning of the lobster season, the team organized meetings so that fishermen could express their concerns. In addition, the team used mediation to settle conflicts among fishermen and disputes between fishermen and DFO officers.

Today, healthy working relationships between the Acadian Peninsula fishermen, the DFO and the RCMP have been restored. The number of incidents has decreased, dropping from 5,000 in 2007 to 124 in 2009. The province's police force has also saved millions of dollars.

The Joint Management Team was able to gain the co-operation of the Acadian Peninsula fishermen and helped restore security and goodwill in the coastal communities.

Nominated by Patrice Ferron, Community Programs Officer, Acadian Peninsula, Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Khalid Meniaï • Canada Border Services Agency

Thanks to Khalid Meniaï's innovative spirit, paper consumption and greenhouse gas emissions will soon be declining in the federal government and across Canada.

Recipient: Khalid Meniaï, VIPs: Daphne Meredith, Luc Portelance An avid environmentalist, Mr. Meniaï wanted to find solutions to help cut paper consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On his own initiative, he developed two truly extraordinary tools that look promising at both the regional and national levels.

He created a paper calculator that sketches a portrait of the amount of paper used and assesses the environmental impact of this consumption and the possibilities for reducing it. He also designed a greenhouse gas emissions calculator (GHG calculator) that evaluates the means of transportation used by employees from the standpoint of sustainable development. This calculator measures the quantity of CO² emitted and gas consumed based on the means of transportation.

Mr. Meniaï has demonstrated commitment, dedication, initiative and persistence in creating these two tools. He devoted considerable effort, consulting colleagues and carrying out research. His consultations showed him how worthwhile these tools could be.

Their potential is significant. They raise awareness about the need to cut down on the amount of paper used and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The paper calculator has led to a considerable decrease in paper consumption. It is now available throughout the Public Service. As for the GHG calculator, it has made employees more aware of their ecological footprint.

Mr. Meniaï has shown that personal initiative can have a significant impact on government departments and on Canada as a whole.

Nominated by Lorraine Frigon, Regional Director, Enforcement Division, Quebec Region,
Canada Border Services Agency.

RETScreen Version 4 Team, CanmetENERGY • Natural Resources Canada

Tommy Anderson, Kevin Bourque, Gregory J. Leng, Nathalie D. Meloche, Josée Ottavi, Dinesh S. Parakh, Julien Poirier, Amélie Richard, Farah Sheriff, Urban Ziegler

Canadians can be proud that the RETScreen Version 4 Team has significantly improved the future of clean energy worldwide.

Recipient: RETScreen Version 4 Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Cassie Doyle The RETScreen team is a small group of Public Service employees who develop and maintain the RETScreen software package, with the assistance of a large network of experts. RETScreen is recognized worldwide as a unique tool that has helped decision makers evaluate and implement clean energy solutions for many years. It covers renewable-energy and energy-efficient technologies for buildings, industry and power production. Provided free by the Government of Canada, it is particularly popular in developing countries.

This team has significantly improved the capabilities of the software, so much so that this version is rapidly becoming the global standard for analyzing clean energy projects. Much of the success of version 4 is due to the ongoing creativity, professionalism and dedication of each team member. While the team worked on version 4, it also continued to provide service to more than 229,000 users in 222 countries.

Already a remarkable product, RETScreen was made much more efficient; energy analysis that used to take weeks can now be done in a matter of minutes. Its database was expanded to include energy-efficiency measures in all types of existing buildings and climate data from locations around the globe. It was translated into 35 languages and allows multiple users to work together on a specific project in the language of their choice.

There is no doubt that this new version will enable more clean energy projects worldwide. It is expected that user savings globally will reach $13 billion by 2013.

The RETScreen Version 4 Team has demonstrated leadership and commitment, and has helped build Canada's international reputation as a serious player in enabling clean energy worldwide.

Nominated by Gilles Jean, Director General, CanmetENERGY, Natural Resources Canada.

2009 Remembrance Campaign Team • Veterans Affairs Canada

Amber Campbell, Jennifer Ellis, Jim Johnston, Scott MacLean, Teresa MacLean, Jennifer MacLeod, Robert MacLeod, Joseph Mokler

More young Canadians are remembering Canada's veterans, thanks to the innovative spirit of the 2009 Remembrance Campaign Team.

Recipient: 2009 Remembrance Campaign Team, VIPs: Daphne Meredith, Suzanne Tining The team developed new ways to encourage Canadians to honour our veterans. With the slogan "How will you remember-" the team issued a call to action for citizens to participate in remembrance activities and to show their pride in many different ways. One of the team's biggest triumphs was the creative use of social networking tools-a first for the Government of Canada.

Working with limited funding, the team created a website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. It met the tight deadlines and ensured coordination among the various partners. The team even prepared a special DVD with video clips, sound bites and photos to help youth develop their own audiovisual collages about what remembrance meant to them. The results were then featured on various social media sites.

Canadians responded enthusiastically, making 2009 the most successful campaign ever. The Facebook page drew many fans and the YouTube channel attracted millions of viewers. In addition, the use of social media drew considerable media attention, and visitors to Veterans Affairs Canada's website almost doubled. The campaign even garnered extraterrestrial interest! Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk, aboard the International Space Station, posted a message on YouTube.

A clear indication of the team's success is that Google and YouTube, as well as other government departments, are now using this social networking debut as a best practice for the use of social media by government. Ongoing exchanges on the Facebook page months after Remembrance Week show that the team's efforts are ensuring that Canadians will always remember.

The team's innovation and leadership has taken remembrance of our veterans to a whole new level and has made Veterans Affairs Canada a leader in online social networking.

Nominated by Sheri Ostridge, Director, Communications, Veterans Affairs Canada.

Employment Equity and Diversity

Dominique Alexandre • Canada Border Services Agency

Thanks to Dominique Alexandre, the Canada Border Services Agency in Quebec has a real ability to fulfill its responsibilities for employment equity and diversity.

Recipient: Dominique Alexandre, VIPs: Marie-Lucie Morin, Luc Portelance For many years, Ms. Alexandre has devoted herself to employment equity and diversity; in fact, she has made it her mission. Her reputation is rooted in hard work and expertise, and she is recognized in the interdepartmental network of coordinators, both regionally and nationally, for her mandate at the Agency.

Ms. Alexandre has always been passionate about employment equity and diversity, as her achievements show. Keeping in mind the Agency's operations and the reality of its budgets, she has proposed realistic initiatives. In addition, she launched the first Regional Diversity Advisory Committee to develop employment equity plans that led to tangible, everyday actions and practical solutions in the workplace. During training sessions, Ms. Alexandre ensured that the Agency's managers and human resources officials were aware of the Committee's importance and purpose.

Her strong skills and deep commitment to employment equity and diversity have allowed Ms. Alexandre to offer one-on-one coaching to new national and regional coordinators. This transfer of knowledge has enabled the Quebec Region to undertake a number of initiatives to raise employee awareness and promote acceptance of differences. Examples include annual participation in the Native Student Summer Employment Program and promotion of equity through posters, postcards and information sessions. Thanks to Ms. Alexandre, the Agency has made a name for itself as an inclusive workplace that is representative of the Canadian population.

Throughout her career, Dominique Alexandre has promoted employment equity and diversity for the benefit of all members of the Public Service and the Canadian public.

Nominated by Chantal Laurin, Director, Human Resources, Canada Border Services Agency.

Don Head and Correctional Service Canada

Under the leadership of Commissioner Don Head, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) has made great strides in becoming a more inclusive organization that respects and values diversity within its workforce and offender population.

Recipient: Don Head, VIPs: Marie-Lucie Morin, Marc-Arthur Hyppolite CSC is transforming its work environment into one in which employees welcome and honour cultural understanding. The agency has taken concrete steps to integrate ethnocultural awareness into all of its day-to-day operations.

The Employment Equity and Diversity Committee helps to facilitate cultural sensitivity in all human resources activities, business plans, practices and programs. As well, ethnocultural advisory committees in all regions and institutions are supported through funding to foster cross-cultural partnerships and communication.

CSC is committed to employing a skilled, diversified workforce that reflects the cultural diversity of the Canadian population. In staffing processes, it tries to ensure that the members of its selection committee are representative of the diversity of candidates being assessed. It has also implemented a leadership development program that addresses the unique needs of visible minority employees and helps them obtain the knowledge and experience necessary to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Cross-cultural sensitivity is particularly important in CSC institutions because there has been a significant increase in the number of ethnocultural offenders. Ethnocultural Services, a specific section within the agency's operational sector, ensures that correctional programs are culturally relevant and employees can interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. CSC also reaches out to ethnocultural community organizations to improve the success of reintegrating ethnocultural offenders upon their release.

Canadians can be proud of Mr. Head and Correctional Service Canada for creating an inclusive workplace for public servants and improving the lives of ethnocultural offenders.

Nominated by Marc-Arthur Hyppolite, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada.

Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Deaf and Hard of Hearing Working Group • Service Canada

Amanda Antle, Christine Beeraj, Jody Doyle, Scott Graham, Linda Handregan, Karen Hollahan, Paul M. Kelly, Ellen Manuel, Michelle McCarthy, John O'Reilly, Ruth Peach, Barbara Peters, Howard M. Saunders

The Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Deaf and Hard of Hearing Working Group has made groundbreaking progress toward improving the delivery of services to Canadians with hearing disabilities.

Recipient: Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Deaf and Hard of
Hearing Working Group, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Janice Charette For close to a year, the working group carried out a wide range of activities to develop a plan for the region to meet the particular access needs of deaf and hard of hearing people. Its work has put Service Canada at the forefront of Government efforts to improve service delivery to Canadians with hearing disabilities, and elements of its plan will be integrated into Service Canada's national policy.

Working with the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, the team identified the best ways to meet the particular challenges of this client group. During their research, team members learned that the deaf and hard of hearing are increasingly using new technology to communicate. In response, the working group improved direct access to Service Canada agents through innovative assistive devices, such as amplified phones and personal FM systems. It also conducted a pilot project using videoconferencing with a sign language interpreter at four service centres.

The working group's focus on practical ways to enhance service access for this client group was a key to its success. The group organized sessions to help regional service staff appreciate what it is like to be hard of hearing. It also developed protocols and processes, identified training needs and designed an evaluation framework.

The group's efforts so impressed the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association of Newfoundland and Labrador that it presented the group with two community recognition awards, one for accessibility and one for awareness.

This working group deserves Canadians' gratitude for leading the way in helping citizens with hearing disabilities communicate directly with the Government of Canada.

Nominated by Woodrow Francis, Regional Manager, Business Expertise Citizen Services, Service Canada.

Youth

Peter Liang • Statistics Canada

The Public Service of Canada commends Peter Liang for his commitment to improving service to Canadians by learning French and promoting the use of official languages at Statistics Canada.

Recipient: Peter Liang, VIPs: Marie-Lucie Morin, Munir Sheikh Peter Liang joined Statistics Canada in Vancouver as a communications officer. While working on the 2006 Census, he soon realized that, as a representative of the federal government, he needed to speak French to be able to provide Canadians with excellent service. With uncommon determination, he set about learning French, despite being in a unilingual region.

Mr. Liang used the resources provided by Statistics Canada in innovative ways. He also found other very effective methods for learning a new language, such as reading aloud in French, joining discussion groups within the francophone community and encouraging bilingual activities in his work environment. His efforts resulted in his achieving the C level on his very first attempt at the oral interaction exam, a unique achievement after only 18 months of study.

In the process, he became strongly committed to the values of linguistic duality and cultural diversity. He actively promoted the use of official languages in Statistics Canada's Vancouver office and served as Regional Coordinator for Official Languages. As a coordinator, he frequently organized activities in the workplace. He also participated in a working group to develop a regional action plan, which included information sharing with the Francophone community.

Mr. Liang has contributed significantly to changing the culture of his workplace. He has proven, through his leadership, that it is possible for both official languages to thrive, even in a unilingual environment.

Mr. Liang's leadership and commitment to serving Canadians are a source of inspiration to all public servants and proof of a bright future for the Public Service of Canada.

Nominated by Wayne Smith, Assistant Chief Statistician, Business and Trade Statistics Field, Statistics Canada.

Shanley McArthur • Public Safety Canada

In her short time in the Public Service, Shanley McArthur has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment in helping the Government of Canada make key decisions about Canada's mission in Afghanistan.

Recipient: Shanley McArthur, VIPs: Marie-Lucie Morin, William Baker The mission in Afghanistan involves various departments in a whole-of-government effort that is overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan. Ms. McArthur developed policy advice, which she provided to the Minister of Public Safety to support his participation on this Committee. On a day-to-day basis, she also responded to fundamental questions about Canada's involvement in Afghanistan from various stakeholders across the Government of Canada.

Ms. McArthur tackled the complexities of this file with an attitude that all things are possible. She became adept at juggling various pressures and synthesizing vast amounts of information into concise, strategic advice to senior officials. By always providing information and advice that they could trust, she quickly won their confidence.

Much of her work required extensive collaboration with partners and stakeholders, including the entire Public Safety portfolio. She ensured that consultations were useful and timely, and worked hard to achieve consensus. In so doing, she earned the respect and cooperation of her portfolio colleagues. She also put in place a number of processes to improve efficiency while working under tight deadlines and multiple demands.

Ms. McArthur confronts obstacles head-on, with good cheer and practical solutions. She is enthusiastically committed to Public Service renewal and inspires those around her. Having already had a lasting impact at Public Safety Canada, she has the potential to make a real difference in the Public Service of Canada.

Ms. McArthur has performed at an exceptionally high level early in her Public Service career and is an excellent role model for all public servants.

Nominated by Kristina Namiesniowski, Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy Branch, Public Safety Canada.

Official Languages

Lucie Beauchamp • Parks Canada

Thanks to Lucie Beauchamp's leadership and dedication, the French-speaking community in Alberta is active and vibrant.

Recipient: Lucie Beauchamp, VIPs: Marie-Lucie Morin, Pat Thomsen For over 15 years, Ms. Beauchamp has made it her mission to promote official languages and bilingualism in her workplace, in Jasper and in Alberta. Passionate about French culture, she has developed partnerships to increase awareness of French, such as the Discovery Trail project.

At work, she went above and beyond expectations in providing excellent language services throughout the region while ensuring a high quality of French written communications. She continually encourages her co-workers to improve their second language and even spends time helping them understand the culture, literature and language. More importantly, she gets them genuinely interested in bilingualism for its own merits rather than as a mere government obligation.

Thanks to Ms. Beauchamp's dynamic personality, Jasper National Park is a leader in bilingualism. She inspired her co-workers to make extraordinary efforts to promote official languages. Today, the thousands of Canadian and foreign visitors who come to the park each year are welcomed and receive services in the official language of their choice.

Ms. Beauchamp has also promoted official languages in the Jasper community. She is one of the founding members of the Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta, an association for Franco-Albertans, and has taken on a key role in establishing the only separate Francophone school, which has become a hub for Jasper's French-speaking community. In sharing and celebrating French culture, she has played a major role in preserving Jasper's bilingual character, which is no easy feat considering that only 15 percent of its population speaks French.

Through her passion and determination, Lucie Beauchamp has made a major contribution to changing the culture in her workplace and community.

Nominated by Wendy Niven, Team Leader, Jasper National Park of Canada, Parks Canada.

Hello! Bonjour! Team • Parks Canada

Lynne Decarie, Michelle Deshaies, Michel Latreille, Sylvie Lee

Thanks to the Hello! Bonjour! Team, Parks Canada is a leader in providing services to Canadians in the official language of their choice.

Recipient: Hello! Bonjour! Team, VIPs: Wayne Wouters, Pat Thomsen Parks Canada employees welcome millions of visitors every year to our national parks, historic sites and national marine conservation areas. The agency promises visitors that they will be greeted in both official languages.

The Hello! Bonjour! Team created a suite of tools to support this promise. The kit consists of a DVD, a workbook and a CD of audio exercises. It helps raise awareness among managers and employees about the importance of providing services to visitors in the official language of their choice. More importantly, however, the kit helps employees rapidly and easily learn the language skills they need to communicate well in their second language.

The kit has been a huge success. It is now an integral part of Parks Canada staff training. The DVD was seen by some 4,600 employees in 2009 and is distributed to all trainees at the beginning of each summer season. The Commissioner of Official Languages, Mr. Graham Fraser, has cited the DVD as an exemplary tool to promote official languages in the Public Service.

The kit has also been shared with a wide range of groups providing services to Canadians, including 13 Government of Canada organizations that have found it very easy to adapt to their own circumstances. It was even used to train employees for the 2010 Winter Olympics!

The Parks Canada team has demonstrated leadership and creativity in promoting the use of both official languages within the agency and the Public Service of Canada as a whole.

Nominated by Alan Latourelle, Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada.

The Honourable Stockwell Day with all individual recipients

Thank You

A special thank you to the organizations that participated in this program by submitting nominations:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Canada Border Services Agency
Canada Revenue Agency
Canada School of Public Service
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Canadian Forces
Canadian International Development Agency
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Canadian Space Agency
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Correctional Service Canada
Department of Finance Canada
Department of Justice Canada
Environment Canada
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Health Canada
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Industry Canada
Infrastructure Canada
National Defence
Natural Resources Canada
Office of the Comptroller General of Canada
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
Parks Canada
Privy Council Office
Public Health Agency of Canada
Public Safety Canada
Public Service Commission of Canada
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Service Canada
Statistics Canada
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Veterans Affairs Canada