Exceptional service to British Columbians by provincial public service employees working in the Interior and North regions has been recognized with Premier’s Awards, Premier Christy Clark announced today.

“Public servants across the Interior and North put their hearts into making B.C. an even better place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Premier Christy Clark. “Each recipient of this award has found a creative way to deliver the important services British Columbians depend on. Thank you for the knowledge, passion, and dedication you bring to the job.”

More than 280 employees and teams from B.C.’s Interior and North regions were recognized for developing new, more efficient ways of providing services to B.C. communities.

• The collaborative effort of several agencies resulted in a streamlined approach to highest risk domestic violence cases, increasing the safety and security of B.C. families.
• The emergency management skills of one of B.C.’s longest-serving district managers have contributed to a safe and reliable highway system for all British Columbians.
• Another team has gone virtual, addressing justice administration issues using innovation and technology as a platform for success and saving an estimated $40,000 in 2013.
• A revolutionary consultation tool facilitates natural resource decisions made in B.C., saving time and taxpayer dollars while ensuring consistent First Nations consultation practices.

“By utilizing technology and combining it with teamwork and collaboration, today’s recipients have each found an innovative way to save time and taxpayer dollars in how they deliver important services for British Columbians” Finance Minister Michael de Jong said. “I thank each team for their unique contribution to the BC Public Service.”

This year’s regional recipients were selected by a group of independent adjudicators and announced via a streaming online video presentation. Webcasts held on Sept. 11 and 18, 2014, will honour Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland employees. The final celebration will take place in Victoria at a provincial awards ceremony.

Quick Facts:

• Public service employees from B.C.’s Northern and Interior regions have received awards in Partnership, Leadership, Organizational Excellence and Innovation categories.
• The nominations go through a two-part judging process.
• Initially all nominations are reviewed by external adjudicators who evaluate the nominations on a category-by-category basis.
• Adjudicators select the regional finalists, including regional Premier’s Award recipients.
• The adjudicators will also produce a short-list for the judges to review for provincial consideration.
• If a project has significant impact, or is widely adopted across multiple regions, then the nomination is considered at the final provincial awards ceremony.
• All of the Premier’s Award nominations are also considered at the provincial level.

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

A backgrounder follows. 

Media Contacts:

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

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

BACKGROUNDER

North/Interior Premier’s Award Regional Ceremony
Thursday, Sept.4, 2014

287 public service employees from B.C.’s Northern and Interior regions have received awards in Partnership, Leadership, Organizational Excellence and Innovation categories.

Organization: Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
Category Description
PARTNERSHIP - When eight public service and community agencies come together to enhance safety for high-risk domestic violence cases, the result is felt throughout the community. The North Okanagan Integrated Case Assessment Team (ICAT) is a collaboration between the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, local RCMP, the Vernon Women’s Transition House Society, Vernon Correction Services Canada, Community Corrections, Interior Health - Mental Health and Addictions, and RCMP Victim Services. Each agency plays a unique role by sharing information, identifying safety risks to the family and taking proactive measures to help keep B.C. families safe. ICAT created a best-practice, victim-centred approach to domestic violence cases where the victim is fully supported by several agencies without having to navigate each agency separately.

Organization: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Category Description
LEADERSHIP - Affectionately nicknamed “Master of Disaster,” Cariboo district manager Todd Hubner is known for his ability to swiftly and skilfully respond to emergencies that dramatically affect citizens. His cool demeanour under pressure has set him apart as a leader and as a mentor for staff. With a strong emphasis on building and fostering stakeholder relationships, Hubner provides thoughtful support to all in need — from district staff to the ministry and other stakeholders. Hubner leads by example, mentoring others and building highly effective teams — his outstanding leadership is reflected in consistently high Work Environment Survey scores, with the district being named as a top workplace in the BC Public Service. Stakeholders and local government seek Hubner out, viewing him as a trusted and reliable advisor and valuing his unique perspective and expertise. As one of the longest-serving district managers in B.C., Hubner’s emergency management knowledge and deep understanding of district transportation issues contribute to a safe and reliable highway system for all British Columbians.

Organization: Ministry of Justice
Category Description
ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE - “Move the work, not the people” is the driving philosophy guiding the Court Services Branch, North Region. The branch has redefined the traditional model of court administration by creating a virtual justice of the peace position, embracing an approach that relies on technology, teamwork and innovation. The result is a system that is more efficient and timely, with cost savings conservatively estimated at $40,000 for 2013. Partners and stakeholders are thrilled with the improvements — court services offices throughout the North are now more cohesive and effective, clients report increased customer satisfaction and employees report less workload stress. Work Environment Scores have also soared, demonstrating that the North is embracing the values of the Public Service and championing change to better support staff, the judiciary and the province.

Organization: Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
Category Description:
INNOVATION - Consultation between First Nations and government has undergone significant change in the last decade, providing an exciting opportunity to revolutionize the complex consultation process. The Consultation Report and Tracking System (CRTS) is a revolutionary tool, changing the way Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations staff consult with First Nations in one integrated and accessible software solution. The CRTS uses existing software to streamline business practices, building a historical record while supporting a collective understanding of the Crown’s legal obligations to First Nations. Every consultation with a First Nation is unique and is recorded through CRTS. The CRTS provides enormous efficiencies and risk reductions in fulfilling Freedom of Information requirements, reporting significant time savings of up to 25% per file. The CRTS went from an early concept to full provincial implementation in less than two years and now has over 400 regular users throughout the province that applaud its logical and effective structure.

Media Contacts:

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

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