The exceptional work of B.C.'s public service employees and teams whose contributions have made a positive difference in the province were recognized with the Premier's Innovation and Excellence Awards, presented by Premier Christy Clark.

"The recipients of these awards demonstrate the value that the professional public service brings to all of our lives, families and communities," said Premier Clark. "The external panel of judges for this program always tell us how impressed they are by the calibre of the nominees, and this year is no exception. By providing this recognition, we're proud to showcase the very best of the public service at work all across our province."

The annual provincial awards ceremony is the BC Public Service's highest recognition event. It acknowledges achievements in all areas of public service including Cross-Government Integration, Emerging Leader, Innovation, Leadership, Legacy, Organizational Excellence, Partnership and Service Excellence.

Drawn from 26 finalists, this year's eight provincial recipients are:

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Integrated Public Safety - Cross-Government Integration

• Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, Cheryl McLay - Emerging Leader
• Ministry of Environment, Denman Island Lane Acquisition - Innovation
• Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government, Ramona Soares, executive director, Workers' Advisers Office - Leadership
• Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Mike Proudfoot - Legacy
• Ministry of Finance, Olympic Games Secretariat - Organizational Excellence
• BC Public Service Agency, Aboriginal Youth Internship Program - Partnership
• Ministry of Health, Surgical Wait Times and Access Team, Acute Care and Performance Accountability Branch, Health Authorities Division - Service Excellence

"Over the past two months, we've presented regional awards to public service employees in the northern and interior, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island regions," said Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government Minister Stephanie Cadieux, whose ministry administers the awards. "All nominations are also considered for provincial awards and this year we have two recipients whose work received both a regional award and provincewide recognition. Well done."

Videos of all Premier's Awards finalists can be viewed online at:

BC Public Service YouTube channel.

A backgrounder follows.

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

Jeff Groot
Communications Manager
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 920-9203

Premier's Innovation and Excellence Awards 2010-11 provincial recipients

Eight public service employees from across the province received awards in the categories of Cross-Government Integration, Emerging Leader, Innovation, Leadership, Legacy, Organizational Excellence, Partnership and Service Excellence.

Organization Description

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Integrated Public Safety

CROSS GOVERNMENT INTEGRATION - 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 ticketholders 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 Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, Cheryl McLay

EMERGING LEADER - Cheryl McLay brings a spirit of innovation to her work with communities every day. She is recognized for creating enthusiasm and harnessing excellence for projects that make a difference on Vancouver Island. Cheryl was instrumental in eight local economic development projects in Port Alberni including the completion of upgrades to the Harbour Quay and the revitalization of the uptown area, and is credited with attracting $2 million in external funding for projects over the past two years. In Ladysmith, her leadership helped the Maritime Society successfully obtain $1 million in funding to develop its Community Marina Visitor Facility. Cheryl brings out the best in the people she works with and her enthusiasm inspires those around her.

Ministry of Environment, Denman Island Land Acquisition

INNOVATION - When an ecologically valuable piece of Denman Island property valued at $6.7 million came on the market, BC Parks used an innovative approach to acquire the over 500 hectares of land for $233,000. With traditional acquisition techniques (partnerships, donations and land exchanges) unavailable, BC Parks staff had to be creative.

By using carbon offsets and municipal rezoning, staff were able to create the largest provincial park on Denman Island, protecting wetlands and B.C.'s largest population of endangered Taylor's Checkerspot butterflies. Carbon offsets were used for the first time in Canada to acquire conservation lands and a municipal rezoning tool allowed the shifting of development densities, ensuring the land's protection. The result was the acquisition and protection of important land for a fraction of its value.

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 Transportation and Infrastructure, Mike Proudfoot LEGACY - Mike Proudfoot began his career as a paving aide 35 years ago and for the past four years has served as the assistant deputy minister, Highways Division. Mike's positive influence and open approach empowers others to take risks and think "outside the box". He delivers information with humour and passion, and is known as sincere, thoughtful and willing to engage groups of any size.

One of Mike's greatest legacies is the culture of support and success he has cultivated within the ministry. Mike is a leader in his profession, gaining peer-level acceptance from those in the wider transportation community, and a leader in supporting others. He embodies the spirit of leadership and believes that achieving a goal is a collective process, accomplished when teams of people are committed to a common vision.

Ministry of Finance, Olympic Games Secretariat

ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE - The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat (OGS) was charged with overseeing the Province's investment of $765 million and ensuring the vision of the Games was achieved. Their many memorable achievements include the Olympic Torch Relay Community Grant program, the BC International Media Centre - the most successful unaccredited media centre in Olympic Winter Games history - and Robson Square, the signature celebration site, which saw approximately 1.5 million people visit during the Games. OGS also ensured that B.C. communities benefited: approximately 74 per cent of the Province's total financial commitment was used to create legacy investments.

The 2010 Winter Games was one of the largest undertakings in British Columba's history and was an unprecedented success, thanks in large part to the dedication of this team.

BC Public Service Agency, Aboriginal Youth Internship Program

PARTNERSHIP - The Aboriginal Youth Internship Program (AYIP) is the first-of-its-kind program and reflects B.C.'s commitment to build a new relationship with First Nations and Aboriginal people. Developed by the BC Public Service Agency in partnership with the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, the program offers Aboriginal youth (18-29 years) the opportunity to acquire experience and leadership skills through a nine-month internship in a provincial ministry followed by a three-month placement in an Aboriginal organization.

Both the BC Public Service and Aboriginal organizations have seen great benefits from the interns' cultural sharing and experience, and many interns have also translated the program's achievements into success in their own lives and careers. Now in its fourth year, AYIP has established itself as "the best example of the New Relationship" according to Grand Chief Ed John of the First Nations Leadership Council.

Ministry of Health, Surgical Wait Times and Access Team, Acute Care and Performance Accountability Branch, Health Authorities Division

SERVICE EXCELLENCE - This team developed a strategy that led to significant improvement in quality services and patient care, reduction of surgical wait times, and the development and promotion of best practices.

Benefits include:

• Quicker surgery resulting in a faster return to daily activities, including work.
• Patients and families have accurate information to help them with planning.
• Reduced recovery times and length of patient stays in hospital.
• Reduced rates of adverse events due to quality improvement.
• Physicians have the information needed to prioritize patients and manage wait lists fairly.
• Greater confidence in the health system.

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

Jeff Groot
Communications Manager
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 920-9203