Premier Christy Clark honoured the exceptional dedication and accomplishments of British Columbia's public service employees and teams at the Premier's Innovation and Excellence Awards ceremony, an annual event recognizing the public service.

"Tonight is a time to celebrate the incredible talent and selfless dedication of British Columbia's public servants," said Premier Clark. "The Premier's awards ceremony gives me an opportunity to personally thank our committed employees who give their best efforts to create and improve on the systems we need to provide public services. It is important to acknowledge their achievements and to let them know we think they're important role models."

Public service employees and teams were recognized for new and better ways of providing services in six categories: Cross-Government Integration, Innovation, Organizational Excellence, Leadership, Legacy, and Partnership.

"With June 11 as the start of Public Service Week in B.C., where we recognize the contributions of public servants to our communities and our province, it's particularly special to recognize the outstanding work, dedication and legacy of these individuals and teams," said Finance Minister Kevin Falcon, whose ministry administers the awards. "I congratulate all of the finalists and winners on their well deserved awards and thank them for helping to improve the lives of British Columbians."

This year's six award recipients were selected by a group of external adjudicators. The winner of the Emerging Leader category was selected by the award finalists via electronic voting during the awards ceremony.

Learn More:

Videos of the Premier's Awards finalists can be viewed online at: http://www.youtube.com/user/BCPublicService#p/p

Contacts:

Sara MacIntyre
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
250 580-7701

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821

BACKGROUNDER

Premier's Innovation and Excellence Awards 2012-13 Provincial Recipients

Seven public service employees and teams from across British Columbia received awards for Innovation, Leadership, Partnership, Cross Government Integration, Legacy, Organizational Excellence, and Emerging Leader.

Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government, Service BC

Cross Government Integration Category - Over the past 18 months, Service BC's Amalgamation project has provided "one-stop shop" service delivery to five Northern and central B.C. communities. Service BC has streamlined delivery of a full-range of in-person government services and information to its customers. Integrating delivery of services in these communities required collaboration between Service BC and the ministries of Social Development, Attorney General and Natural Resource Operations.

Ministry of Justice, Guthrie House Therapeutic Community, Nanaimo Correctional Centre

Innovation Category - An innovative treatment program in the Nanaimo Correctional Centre is integrating offenders into their communities and reducing their criminal behaviours by up to 33 per cent, resulting in safer communities and lower costs for the criminal justice system. The Guthrie Therapeutic Community is a four-month substance abuse treatment program involving three phases: orientation, primary treatment and re-entry/transition. By teaching pro-social behaviours, corrections staff helps offenders to develop connections with their families and the communities where they live.

(flickr.com)

Organizational Excellence Category - Travellers in B.C. can access current information about changing road conditions by tapping into a site using their mobile devices. The DriveBC Mobile incorporates traveller information into a simple, accessible format displaying current road condition information such as road closures or delays or difficult road conditions. The site links to B.C. HighwayCams to display images from more than 170 webcams provincewide, as well as connecting to Environment Canada's weather forecasts.

Ministry of Forests, Dave Francis

Leadership Category - By working with First Nations, the forest industry and local government, Dave Francis built support for his creative ideas to meet challenges faced by a resource agency in a remote community. Dave has also been instrumental in maintaining jobs in the region by implementing employment programs that produced temporary jobs during the downturn in the forest industry.

(flickr.com)

Ministry of Finance, Phil Grewar

Legacy Category - Phil Grewar created a central office responsible for coordinating the government's risk management. As the province's first Director of Risk Management he implemented financial risk and loss control programs using private sector methods. The office has saved government close to $1 billion since 1986, enabling schools, universities, colleges and hospitals to devote more resources to delivering services.

Ministry of Social Development, Homelessness Intervention Program

Partnership Category - The Homelessness Intervention Project was implemented in March 2009 in response to a lack of coordination and planning in addressing homelessness. The project was launched in Surrey, Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna and Prince George with a target to house 1,800 chronically homeless people over 18 months. As of January 2011, almost 4,000 homeless people had been connected to housing with 85 per cent stably housed.

Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Tony Pesklevits

Emerging Leader Category - Besides being the well-liked local "go-to" guy, Tony's influence has extended far beyond his regional office to headquarters teams and other natural resource agency managers and staff. Tony has championed the vision of a strong and resilient region able to adapt to constant change and act as the "steward" of the Province's relationship with First Nations within the region. Tony played a lead role in bringing the Taku River Tlingit Strategic Engagement Agreement to conclusion and continues to take the lead role in ensuring its effective implementation. TRT is a unique, complex agreement requiring leadership and finesse.

Contacts:

Sara MacIntyre
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
250 580-7701

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821