Premier Recognizes Excellence and Dedication in Public Service


Premier Stephen McNeil recognized the exceptional efforts of more than two dozen public servants with the Premier’s Award of Excellence today, Sept. 26.

Three teams and one person received the award, which recognizes public servants who go above and beyond in delivering high-quality programs and services to Nova Scotia families, communities and businesses. It is the most prestigious government award.

“I am continually impressed by what can be achieved by an individual or small group of dedicated public servants. These people are exceptional employees doing excellent work,” said Premier McNeil.

Today’s event also saw more than 300 employees receive a Long Service Award to mark 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and even 50 years of service.

“Today we celebrate hundreds of employees for their long-standing dedication and outstanding contributions to our public service.”

This year’s Premier’s Award of Excellence recipients are:
— Jason Bond, Department of Internal Services. Mr. Bond modernized the Coordinate Referencing program for all location-based information across Nova Scotia. The new technology allows for instantaneous, high-accuracy positioning anywhere in the province where cellular coverage exists. Nova Scotia is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to have such capabilities.
— Affordable Housing Through Passive House Project, Housing Nova Scotia Team at the Department of Community Services. This team built the first provincially owned affordable housing duplex that uses the world’s leading standard in energy efficient construction, which led to dramatic reductions in energy consumption. Team members are Ramzi Kawar, Matthew Conrad, Tapan Katwala, Frederick Drebot and Tanya Warren.
— Post-Secondary Disability Services Team, Department of Labour and Advanced Education. This team improved an existing system to better support requests for post-secondary disability services. Team members are Corrine Dillon, Ting Ting Han, Jody Harris, Linda Higgins, Carolann Hubley, Mary Ann Laba, Brenda Landry, Micheline McWhirter and Kevin Penny.
— Nova Scotia Works Transformation Team, Department of Labour and Advanced Education. This team launched an innovative new system to provide services to job seekers, employers and youth. Team members are Vicki Elliott-Lopez, Amie Haughn, Dallas MacDonald, Joe Brown, Siao (Lucy) Ye, Beatrice Croxen, Roger Peters, Neila Fraser, Catherine Casey, Louise Adongo, Danielle LeBlanc and Jennifer Wagg.

Award winners reflect government’s commitment to public service excellence and continuous improvement, while demonstrating the courage to step into new territory to achieve their goals. They are selected by a panel of deputy ministers.

“Today we celebrate some incredible public servants who are leading by example,” said Public Service Commission Minister Tony Ince. “Their efforts are key to the success of Nova Scotia’s public service.”

For more information about the Premier’s Award of Excellence, this year’s recipients and their work, visit www.novascotia.ca/pae.


Source: Release

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