[ Backgrounder ]December 1, 2003GATINEAU, Qc - The sixth annual Head of the Public Service Award ceremony was held today, honouring 414 public service employees for their individual and team accomplishments.The Head of the Public Service Award program recognizes the commitment of men and women who, motivated by the desire to serve Canadians and accepting the day-to-day challenges of serving the public good, have performed at the highest level."Those we are honouring today are leaders in their respective fields and are examples of what the Public Service of Canada strives for: loyalty, integrity, energy, enthusiasm and excellence," said Alex Himelfarb, Clerk of the Privy Council, Secretary to the Cabinet, and Head of the Public Service. "It gives me great pleasure to publicly recognize these outstanding women and men who contribute on a daily basis to provide the best possible service to Canadians."In a ceremony at the Hilton Lac-Leamy, 20 awards were presented to recipients in seven categories:Excellence in Policy;Excellence in Service Transformation;Official Languages;Values and Ethics;Collaborative Working Relationships;Excellence in Service Delivery, and;Valuing and Supporting People.The winners were selected from among 129 groups and individuals nominated by public service employees at all levels, regionally and nationally. An interdepartmental committee chaired by Robert Wright, Associate Secretary to the Cabinet, Privy Council Office, selected the recipients.The Head of the Public Service Award is one of three award and recognition programs administered by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. The other two are the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Award of Excellence.The Head of the Public Service award is designed to recognize and reward federal government employees who demonstrate the qualities necessary to achieving the success of the Public Service of Canada in the future: team work, service, innovation, ethics and a dedication to valuing people.For additional information on the Head of the Public Service Award or on the 2003 recipients, visit our Web site at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/hr-rh/ar-pr/head_public/siglist_e.asp- 30 -For more information, contact:Mario Baril Media Relations Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (613) 957-2391IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.TTY (Telecommunications device for the hearing impaired) - (613) 957-9090BackgrounderRecipients of the 2003 Head of the Public Service AwardThe Head of the Public Service Award program was initiated in 1998 and is designed to recognize employees and teams of employees who best exemplify the qualities required for the Public Service of Canada to meet the challenges of the future. These qualities include innovation, teamwork, ethics, partnership, use of new technologies and consultation.Twenty awards were presented to 414 recipients chosen from among 129 nominations submitted by members of the Public Service of Canada.The following recipients received awards in seven categories: Category 1. Excellence in PolicyAndrei Sulzenko - Industry CanadaCategory 2. Excellence in Service TransformationSCRIBE Development Team - Environment CanadaCategory 3. Official LanguagesOfficial Languages Section 41 Implementation Team - Western Economic Diversification CanadaCategory 4. Values and EthicsBurnt Church Negotiating Team - Fisheries and Oceans CanadaCategory 5. Collaborative Working RelationshipsBob Adams - Human Resources Development CanadaAlternative Dispute Resolution Team - Immigration and Refugee Board, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and Department of Justice Canada Judith Spanglett - Department of National Defence Team Kimberley - Natural Resources Canada, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Department of Justice Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Category 6. Excellence in Service Delivery BSE Investigation and Response Team - Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Department of Finance, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Health Canada Lawrence Euteneier - Industry CanadaElizabeth Ptasznik - Health CanadaJeanette Sim - Human Resources Development CanadaSwissair Flight 111 Investigation Team - Transportation Safety Board of Canada Category 7. Valuing and Supporting People2001-2003 University Recruitment Committee - Department of FinanceWard Clapham - Royal Canadian Mounted PolicePeter Duchesne - National Library of CanadaSavithri Narayanan - Fisheries and Oceans CanadaZoe Raemer - Indian and Northern Affairs CanadaDale Sharkey - Veterans Review and Appeal BoardMonty Woodyard - Human Resources Development CanadaFor additional information on the Head of the Public Service Award or on the 2003 recipients, visit our Web site at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/hr-rh/ar-pr/head_public/siglist_e.asp
