Celebrating Bold Ideas: Nominate for the IPAC’s Innovation Award
Innovation is the driving force behind meaningful change in the public sector—and the IPAC Award in Innovation shines a spotlight on the individuals or organizations leading that charge.
This award recognizes exceptional new approaches, solutions, or systems that have transformed the way things are done in service of public interest. Whether it’s a breakthrough policy, a redesigned service, or a creative use of technology, we want to celebrate those pushing boundaries to better serve Canadians.
Know a person or team rethinking what’s possible in public administration? Nominate them for the IPAC Award in Innovation and help us highlight the ideas shaping tomorrow:
Nominate a deserving leader today: Click here to nominate
The final deadline for nominations is 11:59pm on April 28th, 2025.
Need some inspiration? Take a look at what past award winners have accomplished:
2024
BC Ministry of Health Cardiovascular Diseases Team (BC Ministry of Health)
A data-driven innovation in heart failure management, this project used advanced analytics to assess adherence to best practice treatment across British Columbia. By linking patient-level data, the team identified significant gaps in care, showing that only one in five patients received optimal triple therapy, despite its proven impact on reducing mortality. Their findings are now driving systemic improvements through Cardiac Services BC and the Ministry of Health, ensuring better treatment and outcomes for the 18,000 British Columbians diagnosed with heart failure each year.
BC Network Connectivity Services Team (BC Ministry of Citizens’ Services)
The Network Connectivity Services Team is recognized for its innovative deployment of SD-WAN and Starlink to enhance network reliability across over 800 government offices in British Columbia. Their efforts improved virtual court access, emergency medical services, and wildfire response by strengthening connectivity in remote and rural areas. By collaborating with ministries, ISPs, and technology partners, they overcame infrastructure challenges to ensure public servants can deliver uninterrupted, high-quality services to citizens, particularly in critical and emergency operations.
York Region Transit Team (Regional Municipality of York)
York Region Transit is recognized for its innovative use of AI-powered CITYROVER smart cameras to automate bus stop inspections and maintenance. By integrating this technology into its fleet, the region now conducts daily infrastructure assessments, identifying issues in near real time at a fraction of traditional costs. This approach enhances efficiency, reduces risk for commuters, and sets a new standard for transit maintenance, with potential scalability for municipalities worldwide.
2023
Elections Markham Digital Democracy Team (City of Markham)
The City of Markham is being recognized for its groundbreaking advancements in digital democracy, revolutionizing electoral processes with innovative technology. In the 2022 municipal election, the city introduced Canada’s first election registration eSignature platform, an advanced data-driven community engagement strategy, and independent online vote verification technology—a national first in election transparency. These initiatives significantly improved accessibility, efficiency, and voter trust, leading to record online voter participation and setting a new benchmark for secure, verifiable, and inclusive digital elections in North America.
Social Science and Humanities Research Council Future Challenges Team (Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada)
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Imagining Canada’s Future initiative is recognized for its innovative use of foresight methodologies and knowledge synthesis grants to connect research with policy needs. In 2022, SSHRC launched the ICF Ideas Lab on the circular economy, fostering interdisciplinary research, and partnered with Women and Gender Equality Canada to fund 33 projects on gender-based violence. It also introduced an International Policy Ideas Challenge with Global Affairs Canada, enabling graduate students to develop solutions for emerging policy issues.
Service New Brunswick Energy Management Team (Service New Brunswick)
The Energy Management team at Service New Brunswick is recognized for its innovative approach to reducing emissions and conserving energy in government-owned facilities. Through a combination of technology, staff training, and energy benchmarking using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, the team has achieved $16.5 million in cost avoidance and a reduction of 48,650 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Their initiatives, including the adoption of ISO 50001 energy management standards in healthcare and schools, have set new efficiency benchmarks while fostering a culture of sustainable energy practices across the province.
2022
Western Hospital Team Tele-rounding Project (Health PEI)
Western Hospital and its partnership with Maple are being recognized for their groundbreaking approach to virtual healthcare, transforming access to medical services in rural communities. Facing chronic doctor shortages, they pioneered Canada’s first telerounding model, allowing virtual physicians to provide inpatient care and stabilizing hospital operations. Their success led to the creation of a virtual emergency department, cutting patient wait times from over eight hours to under ten minutes, and a province-wide program connecting thousands without a family doctor to virtual care. These innovative solutions have reshaped healthcare delivery, inspiring similar models across Canada and earning national and international acclaim.