The exceptional work of B.C.'s Lower Mainland public service employees was recognized yesterday with the Premier's Innovation and Excellence Awards, announced Premier Christy Clark.

"I am proud of the accomplishments of the BC Public Service and the great work they do every day for the people, families and communities of British Columbia," said Premier Clark. "Each of these individuals and teams has made remarkable things happen because of their hard work and determination."

The Premier's Awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in all areas of public service including innovation, leadership, partnership and service excellence. This year, six employees from the Lower Mainland received awards in the Cross-Government Integration, Emerging Leader, Innovation, Leadership, Partnership, and Service Excellence categories.

"A big congratulations to each of the six recipients honoured in this year's Lower Mainland Premier's Awards," said Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government Minister Stephanie Cadieux, whose ministry administers the awards. "The Premier's Awards provide an opportunity to do something we don't do often enough: recognize the great value the public service delivers for our citizens."

Staff at the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General received an award for their incredible work upholding public safety during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government and its partners were honoured in the partnership category for setting up Robson Square as the celebration site during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Workers' Advisers Office at the Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government was recognized for their service excellence with respect to helping B.C.'s workers with compensation appeals. In a doubleheader, the Workers' Advisers Office's Ramona Soares received an award for her exceptional leadership in improving client satisfaction, employee engagement and innovation within her team.

The Ministry of Health's Paul Mochrie received recognition in the emerging leader category for brokering a deal between the Province, the BC Pharmacy Association and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, saving the Province $380 million in annual generic drug costs.

The Province's Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Initiative was recognized for their ongoing efforts to make British Columbia a more welcoming place for new families and residents.

A similar presentation honoured interior and northern employees last week. Vancouver Island employees will be recognized via streaming online video presentation on May 5 and there will be 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=15679B69C4A9C932

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

Premier's Award honours Lower Mainland recipients

Six public service employees from the Lower Mainland area received awards in the following categories: Cross-Government Integration, Emerging Leader, Innovation, Leadership, Partnership and Service Excellence.

Organization Description Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Integrated Public Safety

CROSS GOVERNMENT INTEGRATION CATEGORY - Integrated Public Safety was established in 2006 when Vancouver won the bid to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Four years of public safety planning by this group kept 6,500 athletes and team officials, 20,704 volunteers, 12,356 accredited media members, 1.79 million ticket holders and local British Columbians safe during the Games. The unit co-ordinated the planning and operational readiness activities of more than 100 separate entities including all levels of government, first responders, health organizations, transportation providers and utilities. The exceptional level of leadership and stakeholder engagement has created a legacy of heightened preparedness in these agencies. Many activities have been sustained and will be expanded upon, providing long-term benefits to all British Columbians. Ministry of Health, Paul Mochrie, Executive Director

EMERGING LEADER - Prescription drugs are a big expense for British Columbians. However, thanks to Paul Mochrie and his dedicated team you will begin to see the price of generic drugs dropping over the next three years. Because of Paul's leadership in brokering a landmark deal between the Province, the BC Pharmacy Association and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Province will save $380 million in annual drug costs. Generic drug prices are currently about 65 per cent of the brand-name cost. Soon, though, the price will drop to 35 per cent of the brand price. Paul's focus and drive won the respect from all sides of the negotiation table and caught the attention of industry and governments across Canada. Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, Ministry of Social Development, Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Initiative INNOVATION - British Columbia is a more welcoming place for new families and residents thanks to the ongoing work of the Welcoming & Inclusive Communities Initiative.

This group of public servants assist communities with the growing diversity of their citizens. The innovative initiative, the first of its kind in the world, takes a bottom-up approach and recognizes that communities are best positioned to address local issues. Collaboration with new partners is a key focus, bringing together First Nations, immigrants, municipal governments, school districts, seniors, faith groups, youth, non-profits and others. From workplace tours for newcomers in Burnaby to Port Alberni where the superintendent of school district #70 proposed a policy to make anti-racism education mandatory, this initiative is reaching communities across the province. Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government, Ramona Soares, Executive Director - Workers' Advisers Office LEADERSHIP - With exceptional results, Ramona Soares has focused on her leadership within the BC Public Service on continuous improvement in client satisfaction, employee engagement and innovation. Since 2006, she has provided vision and energy to staff in need of encouragement and renewed purpose. She has fostered a culture of service excellence and accountability, while enabling a work-life balance and supporting professional development for her team. Ramona has developed an "Early Dispute Intervention" which has resulted in savings of more than $430,000 in four years. Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and partners, Robson Square Team

PARTNERSHIP - Kudos go to the team of people who developed the Robson Square celebration site for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Their work involved a major multi-year renewal restoration that needed to impress a world audience. An ice rink, a zip line, a 4-D theatre and an informative, high-tech B.C. Canada Pavilion were all part of the Olympic experience for the 1.5 million people who visited Robson Square during the Games. Shared Services BC established and effectively used working groups with the City of Vancouver, the University of British Columbia and the integrated security team, as well as the sheriffs, landlords and the Ministry of Attorney General in the adjacent building. Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government, Workers' Advisers Office SERVICE EXCELLENCE - The Workers' Advisers Office (WAO) provides advice, assistance and representation to workers with their compensation appeals. Using a multi-faceted approach to early intervention on WorkSafeBC appeals, the WAO has achieved the highest success rate of winning appeals within the compensation system. They have also reduced the cost of resolving a workers' compensation dispute between WorkSafeBC and the worker and have helped the worker earlier in the dispute process and achieved faster resolutions. Using a targeted approach to mitigate costly appeals, the WAO has saved more than $438,000 over the past four years. Also, the WAO has sustained one of the highest employee engagement scores in the BC Public Service and has earned a Top Work Unit award three years in a row. Operating on the premise that every idea has the potential to transform their business, the WAO empowers staff to develop innovative solutions.

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

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