The contributions and accomplishments of B.C.'s interior and northern public service employees were recognized yesterday with the Premier's Innovation and Excellence Awards, announced Premier Christy Clark.

"I would like to personally thank each of these recipients for the inspiring work they do for the people, families and communities of British Columbia," said Premier Clark. "Because you take on challenges and strive to make a positive difference, communities across B.C. are benefiting from your work."

The Premier's Awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in all areas of public service including innovation, leadership and partnership. This year, five employees from the Interior and northern regions received awards in the Cross-Government Integration, Emerging Leader, Innovation, Leadership and Partnership categories.

"These awards honour those who have achieved great success in their fields," said Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government, whose ministry administers the awards. "Whether responding to emergencies, improving services, improving air quality or creating a mountain biking mecca in the Burns Lake and Smithers area, every accomplishment deserves our applause."

Staff at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and their partners received an award for their remarkable response and recovery efforts to the heavy rainstorm and floods in Bella Coola in 2010.

The Ministry of Environment and its partners are honoured in the partnership category for their determination to improve the health of citizens and the environment in Trail.

Recreation Sites and Trails BC: Partnerships with Burns Lake and Smithers Mountain Biking Associations were recognized for an innovate approach to connecting these two communities with mountain bike trails, thus placing these two locales on the international mountain biking map.

The Attorney General's Chris Nickerson received an award for his outstanding leadership with the court services branch in the north region. Joanne Hanson of the Ministry of Social Development earned recognition in the Emerging Leader category.

Premier Clark announced the recipients via streamlining online video presentation. Similar webcasts will honour Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island employees, with the final celebration being a provincial award ceremony in Victoria on May 31, 2011.

Videos of all Premier's Awards finalists can be viewed online on the BC Public Service YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5417CA826E651D19.

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 220-1640

Melody Wey
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 508-5030

BACKGROUNDER

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2011PREM0039-000440.pdf