The Public Service Award of Excellence 2021

Learn about the achievements of the 2021 recipients of the Public Service Award of Excellence.

On this page

• Message from the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet – 2021 Public Service Award of Excellence
• The Public Service Award of Excellence
• Excellence in Profession
• Exceptional Young Public Servants
• Exemplary Contribution under Extraordinary Circumstances
• Joan Atkinson Award for Public Sector Values in the Workplace
• Outstanding Career
• 2021 Selection Committee

Message from the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet – 2021 Public Service Award of Excellence

The Public Service Award of Excellence celebrates employees who have demonstrated excellence in achieving results for Canadians, and who truly reflect the values of the public service.

The recipients of the 2021 Public Service Award of Excellence are outstanding models of commitment, innovation, collaboration and leadership. Their efforts and successes shine a spotlight on the amazing work and fierce dedication of public servants from across the country. These public servants are an inspiration to us all.

Awards like this are an important reminder of both the power of the individual and of teamwork. As we all know, we can accomplish great things when we work together.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients. We are all proud of you.

The Public Service Award of Excellence

The Public Service Award of Excellence recognizes employees who have demonstrated excellence in achieving results for Canadians and who reflect the priorities of the public service, while demonstrating key leadership competencies. The award is open to individuals and teams at all levels.

This year, there are 13 individual and 15 team recipients of the 2021 Public Service Award of Excellence in five categories.

Excellence in Profession

Operationalization of Designated Safe Sampling Areas, Canada Border Services Agency

This team was instrumental in the implementation and operationalization of regional Designated Safe Sampling Areas at high-risk ports of entry. This innovative approach allows experts to handle highly toxic substances and provides timely scientific analysis and advice to inform operational decisions, which has been effective at combatting the Opioid crisis by enhancing drug detection capabilities at Canada’s borders. This new approach has led to the improved and safe flow of legitimate goods, an increase in enforcement-related activities, and optimized referrals to the CBSA Lab in Ottawa which will help improve the detection of new designer drugs and precursor chemicals.

Gender-based Analysis Plus Implementation Evaluation, Canadian Space Agency

The team responsible for the evaluation of the implementation of gender-based analysis plus at the Canadian Space Agency has done an exceptional and innovative work, as this was the first evaluation of GBA Plus in the Government of Canada. The evaluation report provided a tremendous amount of information for decision makers and identified best practices and well thought out recommendations. The team acted proactively by collaborating, building trust and demonstrating respect, transparency and professionalism with all stakeholders. The evaluation report and infographic summary were innovative and of exceptional quality. Finally, it is impossible to ignore the professional ethics, honesty and integrity of the team.

Yvette-Marie Kieran, Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Canadian Coast Guard

Since 1998, Yvette-Marie has supported the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) on high-profile files, including the development of the WAHVA legislation, amendments to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and priority litigation such as the Cormorant and Kathryn Spirit. For many years, she has been the main contact for urgent after-hours requests. Yvette-Marie has actively participated with CCG in numerous exercises, and used her expertise in adult learning to develop and deliver training on environmental response, vessels of concern, and search and rescue. Yvette-Marie is valued for her knowledge of maritime law, her practical approach to solving problems, and her collegial professionalism.

Columbia River Treaty Negotiation Team, Global Affairs Canada

• Anna Sharkova (no photo)
• Stephen Gluck (no photo)

This team manages negotiations with the United States to modernize the Columbia River Treaty. They manage relationships with the United States, and domestic partners, including Indigenous nations from the Columbia River Basin. They have redefined how Global Affairs Canada and other departments engage First Nations and pursue reconciliation, which is now a government-wide responsibility. Relying on their knowledge and diplomatic skills, the team has, for possibly the first time in Canada, included Indigenous nations as members of the Canadian delegation in an international negotiation creating a blueprint for collaboration and a model for future Crown-Indigenous relations in international relations.

Eric Russo, Global Affairs Canada

Eric is currently in his fourth year as Readiness Program Manager in Ankara, Turkey.

Since 2010, he has worked in over 70 of our Canadian missions across the network and is frequently asked to be a guest speaker in FS-01 and new RPM training sessions.

In 2021, he deployed to both Kabul, Afghanistan and Kyiv, Ukraine to help develop, test, and implement mission closure plans. He also deployed to Kuwait in 2021 to help coordinate the evacuation of Afghan citizens.

He deployed to Tehran, Iran in 2020 to provide consular services after the downing of flight PS752.

Emilie Dessureault, Indigenous Services Canada

Emilie is a communications professional who has worked for the Government of Canada since 2017. With her strong skills in writing, analysis and project coordination, she is a source of inspiration and motivation for those around her. Through her calm and rigor, she embodies an exemplary level of professionalism that inspires her team. She is a model to follow for all young public servants who choose to join the public service, as well as for her experienced colleagues who wish to demonstrate more innovation on a daily basis.

Emilie has contributed to the implementation of many inspiring projects and has improved communications between the Government of Canada and the First Nations in Quebec.

Dr. Danica Stanimirovic, National Research Council of Canada

Dr. Danica Stanimirovic is an international leader in research and innovation aimed at surmounting the Blood Brain Barrier and the delivery of therapies to the human brain for the treatment of stroke, Alzheimer’s, etc. She has established NRC as a global leader in neuroscience research while holding scientific management roles and leading large interdisciplinary teams. Her impressive record includes: 180+ peer-reviewed publications, h-index 60, 23 international patents and $18 million in funding. Throughout her career, she has extraordinarily advanced knowledge and technologies critical for Canada’s economic and social well-being and inspired others to pursue interdisciplinary research in Canada.

Jonathan Shanks, Department of Justice Canada

Jonathan Shanks is the person that experts in the federal government turn to in order to receive authoritative advice on some of the most difficult and vexing legal and constitutional questions facing the country. This is a commonplace event, and such advice is sought regularly by the Machinery of Government Secretariat at the Privy Council Office, in addition to his Justice department colleagues in the Constitutional, Administrative and International Law Section as well as throughout the federal government. As a lawyer, Jonathan sets the gold standard in client service. He understands his clients, puts himself in their shoes and provides them with patient, savvy, reliable and superior professional advice.

Raziya Jamal, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Raziya Jamal’s 29 years of RCMP employment is exemplified as “E” Division’s Awards Coordinator, for the country’s largest division serving British Columbia. Raziya goes above and beyond as she regularly advocates for employee recognition. Her expertise is heavily relied upon nationally as she guides and mentors her colleagues. Raziya promotes awareness and credibility of the Awards Programs within the division through the dissemination of accurate and timely information about existing award programs, award nomination deadlines and new award programs. Raziya’s dedication to the Awards and Recognition program strengthens the esprit de corps within “E” Division, as well as organizationally.

Exceptional Young Public Servants

Austin Lemieux, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Despite being in a junior position, Austin’s leadership has been apparent since he was bridged in as a student in 2020 by not only his team members but also anyone who works with him. He has shown a boundless capacity to collaborate on creative solutions, promote innovation and achieve results. Whether leading one of his own files, or supporting other departments on whole of government priorities, Austin consistently goes above and beyond expectations for a junior level employee. He has been a true role model for everyone on the team, is proactive and works collaboratively. He seeks out solutions to difficult situations and ensures all perspectives are captured and included.

Indigenous Advisory Committee, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Mackenzie Deschambault, Colin Doucette and Amy Tarnowski have demonstrated extraordinary leadership that is inspiring others in advancing Indigenous cultural competency within their sector as the Chairs of the Indigenous Advisory Circle. These young public servants have shown exceptional dedication to advancing Diversity and Inclusion by organizing Indigenous cultural events, advancing human resource strategies to address barriers to recruitment and retention, and creating a safe space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous employees to come together to better understand the difficult history that Indigenous Peoples have faced in Canada.

Mock Memorandum to Cabinet (MC) Program, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Leith and Olga were the architects and drivers of the ISED inaugural Mock MC Program. The initiative was an exciting learning and development opportunity for analysts in the EC Development Program, allowing participants to work through the MC process, thinking through real-world policy issues, while bringing fresh new ideas to the table. Participants worked through the MC process under the guidance of coaches before presenting an MC to a panel of executives at the end of the program. The nominees conceptualized and organized the program, blazing trail for a new, dynamic learning initiative that fuelled and grew the policy community.

Dylan Peaks, Health Canada

As the manager of Cabinet Affairs with responsibilities for the health portfolio during a pandemic, Dylan thinks creatively and is nimble, demonstrating ethical decision-making, adaptability and commendable security and information stewardship. Dylan has leveraged collaboration and creative business practices to successfully deliver on the portfolio’s responsibilities and support the Ministers, while safeguarding the health and security of his staff. Dylan leads by example, proving to be a role model for his team. He is articulate, clear, and dependable, reflecting a high level of professionalism and integrity, particularly with management, the Deputy Minister, and even the Ministers’ offices.

Exemplary Contribution under Extraordinary Circumstances

GTAR Project Aegis Tent Pavilion Initiative, Canada Border Services Agency

In response to the urgent Afghan Resettlement plan, the team created a CBSA processing facility at LBPIA Signature North FBO. Within 24 hours of the decision to move processing off site, the team coordinated 15 temporary tents for CBSA, IRCC, and PHAC employees, with lights and fans powered by gas generators, a secure mobile CBSA network set up by ISTB with 15 laptops, printers and AFIS machines, with privacy screens, Plexiglas partitions. The pavilion also included 2 mobile washroom trailers, 1 wheelchair accessible toilet, an infant changing tent and refreshment area for arriving passengers, all with enhanced cleaners and security guards.

Atlantic Wildlife Emergency Response Team, Environment and Climate Change Canada

This team of experts improved Canada’s assessment method regarding the effects of oil spills on migratory birds.

They implemented Environment and Climate Change Canada’s new National Policy on Wildlife Emergency Response by providing expertise to the responsible party for the largest oil spill in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore industry.

Their work has underscored the value of Canada’s long-term seabird monitoring program in developing and validating modern analytical approaches to policy and management needs. It will also influence how Canada will respond to oil spills in the future, by collecting data and analyzing approaches to assess damages.

Return of two arbitrarily detained Canadians to Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Department of Justice Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Privy Council Office

On September 25, 2021, the televised arrival of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor back onto Canadian soil captivated Canadians and audiences around the world, and marked the dramatic conclusion of over 1,000 days of indescribable suffering and pain for both men and their families. The Government of Canada withstood enormous international and domestic political/economic pressures, firmly upholding core Canadian values and the integrity of our rule of law system, in achieving the ultimate resolution. This unprecedented whole-of-government effort necessitated the highest levels of dedication and leadership, garnering the respect of international partners, key stakeholders, and the Canadian public.

Operation Remote Immunity 3.0, Indigenous Services Canada

This team provided a scalable operational plan for COVID Mass Immunization Clinics in First Nations Communities, then delivered and administered vaccines. The delivery of mass immunizations clinics was an emergency response that required activation of clinic(s) where the needs of the people exceeded routine ISC immunization programs. This team was the lead organization for the roll out of COVID vaccines across Northern Ontario First Nation communities. They established mass immunization clinic sites, clinic supplies, vaccine cold chain, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, and staffing requirements for mass immunization clinics.

Canada Border Testing Program, Public Health Agency of Canada

As of February 21, 2021, the Government of Canada required all non-essential travelers arriving in Canada to have a COVID-19 test on arrival and day 10. The objective was to identify infected travelers so they could be isolated in order to prevent secondary transmission in Canadian communities. Staff from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Testing Directorate and National Microbiology Laboratory had a short time to stand up a new Canada Border Testing Program (CBTP) in environments where testing infrastructure did not exist before. As more Canadians became vaccinated, the team designed and implemented mandatory random testing in August 2021, providing for reliable data without having to test every vaccinated traveler.

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Task Force, Public Health Agency of Canada

In fall 2020, Canada was on the verge of launching the largest mass vaccination effort in the nation’s history. To position Canada for success, the Public Health Agency of Canada created the Vaccine Rollout Taskforce. The taskforce scaled up and brought together five areas of the Agency (immunization and vaccine surveillance, vaccine acquisitions, logistics, policy and stakeholder relations, and digital solutions) into one cohesive team. Under the leadership of the Agency’s President, the taskforce oversaw all aspects of the vaccine rollout. As a result of the work of the taskforce and its partners, Canada now has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world and over 82 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered nationally.

Regional Operations Leadership, Public Health Agency of Canada

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Regional Operations Leadership team has continuously pivoted its border operations and presence to respond to the evolving crisis and to mitigate the importation and spread of COVID-19. While 15 individuals are listed, many more contributed in a leadership role. Under their leadership, the Public Health Agency of Canada has screened 200,000 travellers, stood up designated quarantine facilities in 16 cities and lodged approximately 20,000 travellers, and oversaw the GAA program with more than 70 authorized hotels. Throughout the border measures implementation, Government of Canada priorities were also supported, including the Afghan Refugee Initiative, repatriation of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, and health screening and quarantine of temporary foreign workers and asylum seekers.

COVID-19 Gender-based Violence Emergency Funding Team, Women and Gender Equality Canada

As COVID-19 swept across Canada, rates of gender-based violence increased and women were isolated at home with abusers because of public health measures to curb the spread of infection. The COVID-19 GBV Funding Team worked quickly with partners to identify needs and to disseminate nearly $100 million to over 1,200 organizations. As a result of this work, over 1.3 million people experiencing violence had a place to turn to, and organizations were able to provide lifesaving supports. The work garnered the attention of CBC’s The National and of international organizations highlighting the Government of Canada as a leader in centering gender in the COVID-19 emergency response.

Joan Atkinson Award for Public Sector Values in the Workplace

Being Black in Canada, Communications Security Establishment

In the wake of the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Marie and Jonathan created a presentation called Being Black in Canada. It brings awareness to the discrimination that Black Canadians face, including within the public service, and is used to educate people, open a dialogue and hold people accountable.

Their presentation has been given over 20 times in both official languages and has reached over 1,400 public servants across the security and intelligence community, including in Canada’s Five Eyes partners.

Marie and Jonathan are leaders at CSE, and their presentation makes the public service a better place to work.

Leila El-Khatib, Employment and Social Development Canada

Leila El-Khatib created the Muslim Federal Employees Network (MFEN) in June 2021. Under her direct influence, MFEN has become one of the largest diversity and inclusion employee networks in the federal public service. MFEN provides a forum for Muslim employees and their non-Muslim allies to mobilize collective action to advance equity in the public service and deconstruct systemic barriers. Through her strategic planning and remarkable efforts, Leila has successfully positioned MFEN to play a key leadership role in supporting the Government of Canada to become a model of inclusion of Muslim public servants. In its short time, MFEN has already made substantial positive impacts.

Marking National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous Services Canada

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 57, this team implemented a virtual commemoration for public servants across Canada for the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This event brought together senior Indigenous speakers and federal public servants in a sharing circle overseen by an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper. This provided inter-cultural learning to help public servants understand the meaning of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; to better understand their roles in building reconciliation. This learning event was the largest gathering of public servants in the history of the public service, with 16,364 attendees.

Tara Hartley, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Tara played a crucial role in influencing and establishing a culture of diversity, inclusion and accessibility at Shared Services Canada. She led by example. Tara created and implemented a recruitment strategy that ensured the team was reflective of the population it served. Hiring a diverse workforce was not enough; she wanted everyone to feel included and respected. Her work influenced the development of an accessibility strategy that continues to be implemented. Tara is a strong advocate for official languages, and ensured all meetings were bilingual. Furthermore, she communicated directly with, and fully integrated, an employee who was Deaf by learning American Sign Language.

Outstanding Career

Duy Ai Kien, Global Affairs Canada

Throughout her career in the Canadian public service, Duy Ai Kien has made a significant contribution to various organizations, including the Department of Secretary of State, Status of Women Canada, the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies, Immigration and Citizenship Canada, and the Canadian International Development Agency. Most recently, as Deputy Director at Global Affairs Canada, she has been instrumental in advancing a feminist approach to international assistance for Canada, particularly during challenging moments. Over the past two years, she has tirelessly carried out thoughtful and meaningful work in advancing the intersectional approach to feminism that takes diversity and inclusion into account at the department.

Alan Thom, Public Health Agency of Canada

Alan has worked for the Government of Canada for a total of 32 years, spending 14 years at Public Services and Procurement Canada before joining the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in 2004. Alan possesses a strategic acumen and strong negotiation skills, which have been invaluable to Canada’s vaccine supply preparedness and response through two pandemics now. Alan played an instrumental role in the acquisition of H1N1 vaccines for Canada during the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, and most recently in the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The acquisition of these vaccines has helped to protect millions of Canadians against severe outcomes from these infectious diseases, including hospitalization and death.

Russell Carter, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Russell Carter’s career with Public Services and Procurement Canada is characterised by both his unwavering commitment to the responsibilities of his position and his ongoing effort to maintain a work environment that is healthy, accessible, and respectful. His dedication to these values throughout his career are exemplified through his volunteer activities as a regular member of both the Health and Safety Committees and shop steward to the Public Service Alliance Commission (PSAC). He also became a regional leader and mentor in the application of policies and practice associated with such matters as accessibility, leasing information, as-built drawings, fit-ups and moves.

2021 Selection Committee

President

• Dr. Siddika Mithani
  President
  Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Members

• Catherine Charron
  Manager, HR Transformation, Wellness and Transformation Division
  Statistics Canada
• Diane Girouard
  Senior Web Developer
  Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada
• Sam Macharia, PhD
  Director, Centralised Enabling Workplace Fund, Office of Public Service Accessibility
  Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
• Tim Pettipas
  Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet
  Privy Council of Canada

Secretary

• Mary Anne Stevens
  Senior Director, Workplace, Policies and Services, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer
  Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat