No ceremony? No problem: The Celebrating Excellence Awards are going virtual for 2020!

May 29, 2020 – Defence Stories

Each year during National Public Service Week (NPSW), the Department of National Defence hosts the Celebrating Excellence Awards (CEA).  They are the highest expression of recognition within the Department of National Defence (DND). They highlight the accomplishments and hard work of the members of our Defence Team, and celebrate DND  and the CAF’s greatest strength – its people!

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the proceedings will work differently this year. The Corporate Awards and Recognition Secretariat (CARS), with support from Deputy Minister (DM) Thomas and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Vance, are pleased to announce that the 2020 Celebrating Excellence Awards will take place virtually from June 15-19.

In lieu of the traditional in-person ceremony, each of the five CEAs will be announced via a combination of video and Maple Leaf article. This year there are 28 winners spread across the five awards categories.

Virtual Celebrating Excellence Awards schedule

• Monday (June 15) - DM/CDS Excellence in Defence Award
• Tuesday (June 16) - DM/CDS Team Impact Award
• Wednesday (June 17) - DM/CDS Gen Tom Lawson Team Builder Award    
• Thursday (June 18) - DM Award of Excellence
• Friday (June 19) – CDS Distinguished Achievement Award

We invite all Defence Team Members to support your colleagues during NPSW and tune into the virtual Celebrating Excellence Awards!

Speaking of recognition for awesome co-workers…

Do you know a colleague deserving of recognition for their achievements in supporting the Department of National Defence? Lift their spirits with a Virtual Shout-Out!

A Virtual Shout-Out is a few sentences recognizing a colleague for a job well done! Shout-Outs will be posted to the new Defence Team “Virtual Shout-Out” Bulletin Board on The Maple Leaf, HR Go RH app and the Defence Team intranet.

Please e-mail all requests for shout outs to the CARS. Please also provide the email(s) of the person(s) being recognized. Please note, shout-Out recipients will be given the option to “opt out” of having their message displayed on the Bulletin Board, and submissions can remain anonymous.