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

"These awards are an opportunity to recognize and marvel at the ingenuity and passion of the B.C. public service," said Premier Clark. "Whether protecting our environment, making roads safer, or preserving our rich cultural heritage, the men and women behind B.C.'s public service make a real difference in people's lives. I am honoured to acknowledge their achievements, and I thank them for all they do for B.C."

Public-service employees were recognized for applying new, innovative ways of providing essential services in seven categories: Partnership, Legacy, Cross-Government Integration, Organizational Excellence, Leadership, Innovation and Emerging Leader.

• A unique partnership between the Tahltan and the Province resulted in the Tahltan Socio-cultural Working Group, a group shaping the development of B.C.'s northwest by balancing the benefits of economic and social development with cultural preservation.
• During his 31-year career, John Deniseger's work has resulted in unprecedented levels of collaboration between governments, academia, the private sector, First Nations and community groups to protect B.C.'s environment while developing the economy.
• The Red Chris Inter-Agency Team consolidated the process for reviewing mine projects in northwest B.C. to one streamlined process, significantly reducing the duplication of work and encouraging positive partnerships between groups and agencies. 
• The Vancouver Coastal Integration and Outreach Team is removing barriers to services for B.C.'s most vulnerable citizens by integrating services and resource delivery, and coming directly into communities in need throughout B.C.
• Award-winning team leader Paula Cousins' successful business case for reliable road-rehabilitation funding has resulted in savings while ensuring safe and reliable roads for British Columbians.
• Peter Bullock's team introduced an innovative approach to road stabilization that will be used across B.C., resulting in projects being completed at less than half the original time and cost.
• Aaron Canuel is a passionate leader who has established strong relationships in the Kootenay area, developing protocols, plans and partnerships between diverse groups to identify and implement operational improvements in conservation practices.

"Innovation is an important value of the B.C. Public Service, and each of today's recipients has combined their talent, innovation and enthusiasm to produce high-calibre results for British Columbians. As Finance Minister, I especially appreciate when this combination results in reduced costs," Finance Minister Michael de Jong said. "I congratulate each of the finalists and recipients on their well-deserved accolades."

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

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

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252?

Jamie Edwardson
Director of Communications
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821

A backgrounder follows.

BACKGROUNDER

Premier's Innovation and Excellence Awards 2013 Provincial Recipients

Seven public service employees from throughout British Columbia have received awards in Partnership, Legacy, Cross Government Integration, Organizational Excellence, Leadership, Innovations and Emerging Leader.

Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation PARTNERSHIP - The Tahltan Nation traditional territory spans the mineral-rich region near Dease Lake in northwest B.C., and in 2011 the Tahltan Central Council, BC Hydro and the Province opened the region to economic development by signing the Northwest Transmission Line Negotiation Framework Agreement. The Tahltan supported the economic development but also wanted to preserve their culture. A unique partnership formed between the Tahltan and the Province, the Tahltan Socio-cultural Working Group, a group shaping development of B.C.'s northwest by ensuring Tahltan participation in the growth of the regional economy, balancing the benefits of economic development with social development and cultural preservation.

Ministry of Environment LEGACY - Throughout his 31-year career with the Ministry of Environment, John Deniseger has been a pioneer of innovative approaches to environmental protection that have been adopted across B.C. By addressing critical issues related to the protection of B.C.'s environment and balancing it with economic benefits felt throughout B.C., his work has resulted in unprecedented levels of collaboration and partnership between governments, academia, the private sector, First Nations and community groups. John faces the challenge of balancing economic growth with the protection of our environment through sound science, passionate leadership and openness to change.

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations CROSS GOVERNMENT INTEGRATION - To begin construction of Red Chris Mine in northwest B.C. just south of Dease Lake, Imperial Metals needed eight permits from seven statutory decision-makers. The Red Chris Inter-Agency Team consolidated the process for reviewing mine projects by creating guidelines, carrying out a single First Nations consultation process and reviewing multiple permits through one streamlined process, significantly reducing the duplication of work and avoiding conflict between groups and agencies. The recently developed "Guide to Permitting Major Mines in British Columbia" remains an important legacy of this team's efforts and success.

Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE - The Vancouver Coastal Integration and Outreach Team moved beyond traditional service-delivery channels by bringing services directly into lower mainland communities to help those who cannot access services through traditional methods. The clients are those facing multiple barriers - people with a history of homelessness, criminal activity and mental-health or addiction issues. The outreach method integrates services and resources from other ministries and community agencies to provide holistic and individual support to clients by collaborating existing programs.

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure LEADERSHIP - Paula Cousins' emphasis on camaraderie and teamwork and her unique talent for coaching has resulted in her corporate and operational services team winning the prestigious 10 Best Places to Work award in 2010 and 2011. Her positive influence also benefits British Columbians and clients through her delivery of finance, information technology and contract services. Cousins led the technical entry-level and engineer-in-training programs, which hired more than 110 skilled employees, ensuring service excellence in road work as employees retire. Her successful business case for reliable road-rehabilitation funding has resulted in savings while ensuring safe and reliable roads for British Columbians.

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure INNOVATION - Geotechnical Design Engineer Peter Bullock and his team have introduced an innovative technique to road stabilization by combining design/build project delivery, where the design evolves with and through construction, and recent construction advancements. This technique has been used on seven sites on Vancouver Island with crews delivering a green product that increases driver safety with reduced road-maintenance costs, project completion times and traffic backlogs. Extremely effective, this method is now being used in other areas throughout the province.

Ministry of Environment EMERGING LEADER - Inspector Aaron Canuel of the Conservation Officer Service Branch in Cranbrook leads a team of seasoned professionals in seeking operational improvements and achieving corporate goals with the help of partner ministries. Instrumental in the development and negotiation of several Memoranda of Understanding, enforcement protocols, joint-forces operations and regional compliance plans for the Kootenay area, Aaron is highly regarded by his team as a passionate leader who engages his staff and fosters strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252?

Jamie Edwardson
Director of Communications
Ministry of Finance
250 356-2821