2024 IPAC Award Winners

The 2025 National Public Service Symposium, held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, brought together leaders from across Canada for three days of learning, collaboration, and celebration. Through keynote sessions, panels, workshops, and networking opportunities, attendees explored the future of Canadian public administration.

A highlight of the Symposium was the presentation of the 2025 IPAC Awards, recognizing exceptional individuals and teams who are advancing public service across the country.

Distinguished Service in Mental Health Promotion Award

The awards section opened with a powerful celebration of leaders dedicated to strengthening mental health and wellness across Canada’s public service. The Distinguished Service Mental Health Promotion Award honours individuals whose work has had a lasting and transformative impact.

2025 Recipients

Erik Hanson – BC Ministry of Forests
Recognized for his leadership of the Ministry’s Critical Incident Stress Management Program, ensuring staff across the province receive timely, effective, and compassionate support following traumatic and high-risk events.

Dr. Katy Kamkar – Public Services and Procurement Canada
Honoured for her extensive advisory work on diversity, equity, and inclusion; her 17-year career as a clinical psychologist at CAMH; and her commitment to evidence-based psychological care and resiliency-building programs within the federal public service.

These leaders exemplify the essential role mental health promotion plays in building supportive, resilient workplaces for public servants across all jurisdictions.

Emerging Leader Award

The Symposium celebrated the future of public service through the Emerging Leader Awards, recognizing individuals who, within their first five years of public sector experience, have already demonstrated remarkable leadership, innovation, and impact.

2025 Recipients

Sydney Burns – Department of National Defence
Vice Chair of the Health Canada Professionals Network MegaConnEX and Co-Chair of the National Capital Region Young Professionals Network, recognized for advancing interdepartmental collaboration and creating more connected communities of practice.

Emily Shearer – Health Canada
Co-Chair of the Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada Young Professionals Network, celebrated for expanding professional development opportunities, revitalizing in-person engagement, and co-leading the Career Planning and Growth Series.

Jaskiran Shoker – Ontario Public Service
Vice Chair of the OPS South Asian Network and Team Lead at the Executive Council Office, honoured for her leadership in delivering major government events and her efforts to advance cultural inclusion through landmark celebrations.

Innovation Award

The Symposium recognized teams and organizations delivering bold, transformative solutions through the Innovation Award, celebrating projects that reshape public services and deliver meaningful outcomes for communities.

2025 Recipients

Innovate BC
Honoured for launching the Integrated Marketplace and establishing province-wide real-world testbeds that accelerate public-sector innovation and technology adoption.

Peel Region Asylum Claimant Response Team
Recognized for building a dedicated service system for asylum claimants and opening Peel’s Reception Centre in February 2025—an essential hub offering immediate support, coordination, and pathways to stability.

Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Newfoundland and Labrador
Awarded for opening a state-of-the-art, patient-centred facility shaped by inclusive design, lived experience, and stepped-care models, improving access to mental health and addictions services across the province.

Thank you to EY for partnering with IPAC on the Innovation Award.

Established Leader Award

Day Two of the Symposium began with a celebration of senior leaders whose careers reflect sustained excellence and meaningful contributions to public administration. The Established Leader Award recognizes long-serving leaders whose work has shaped the public sector across Canada.

2025 Recipients

Aileen Baird – Peel Region
Recognized for guiding Peel Region through a transformative shift from program-based to needs-based housing solutions, creating culturally responsive emergency housing for asylum claimants, and championing new affordable rental incentives to strengthen community well-being.

Anne-Marie Cotter – Office of Residential Tenancies & Provincial Mediation Board
Director, Chair, and Senior Crown Counsel, honoured for her leadership in multilingual communication, her commitment to inclusiveness and diversity, and her contributions to modernizing legislative processes and dispute resolution.

These leaders have built careers rooted in service, innovation, and a deep dedication to improving the lives of Canadians.