The Canada Order of Excellence is awarded to organizations that have previously received the CAE Gold trophy for one of the following:

• Quality and Healthy Workplace®
• Quality (Private and Public Sectors)
• Healthy Workplace®

Organizations apply every three years to remain in the Canada Order of Excellence category. The COE is the highest level of achievement that an organization can receive in Canada. Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, C.C. , C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D, Governor General of Canada, has bestowed her Vice-Regal Patronage on the Canada Awards for Excellence program.

The “Quality and Healthy Workplace®” award category is based on the NQI PEP® (NQI Progressive Excellence Program) for Quality and Healthy Workplace®. There are NQI PEP® programs for public and private sectors, as well as healthcare. Due to the comprehensive nature of the Criteria, organizations cannot apply directly for this award, but must achieve a minimum of Level 3 in the NQI PEP®. Organizations reaching NQI PEP® Level 3 will be eligible for either a Bronze or Silver award, and at Level 4, the CAE Gold trophy. The Criteria cover the following areas:

Organizations can apply directly for the CAE awards for Quality, or through completion of the NQI PEP® Quality program. Organizations achieving NQI PEP® Level 3 will be eligible for either a Bronze or Silver award, and at Level 4, the CAE Gold trophy. The Criteria cover the following areas:

Organizations can apply directly for the CAE award for Healthy Workplace®, or through completion of the NQI PEP® Healthy Workplace® program. Organizations reaching NQI PEP® Level 3 will be eligible for either a Bronze or Silver award, and at Level 4, the CAE Gold trophy. The Criteria cover the following areas:

The Healthy Workplace® award, for organizations of 50 employees or less, is based on 10 Criteria in our booklet entitled “Healthy Workplace® for Small Organizations”. Organizations should assess themselves and if they score 75% of the available points, consider applying directly for this award.

This award is designed for Kindergarten to Grade 12. Post Secondary Institutions are encouraged to apply through the Quality Public Sector category. Schools can apply directly for the CAE award for Schools (K to 12), or through completion of the NQI PEP® Education program. Schools achieving NQI PEP® Level 3 (Red level) will be eligible for either a Bronze or Silver award, and at Level 4, the CAE Gold trophy. The Criteria cover the following areas:

The Quality and Customer Service for Small Organizations award, for organizations of 50 employees or less, is based on 10 Criteria in our booklet entitled “Quality and Customer Service for Small Organizations”. Organizations should assess themselves and if they score 75% of the available points, consider applying directly for this award.

The Community Building award is designed for a whole community in a town, city, or municipality. Each sector in the community reaches its quality improvement objectives and when ready, the community as a whole applies for the CAE award.

This award category is designed for a project that is

• sizeable
• have a scope covering more than one function
• have made a sizeable positive impact
• be new work which has a start and stop date
• a cross-functional teamwork effort that completes the work
• collaborative in nature
• not on-going

Project Teams send in their submission outlining how they meet the Projects Criteria. There is no site visit required for a Project. Projects that meet the Criteria receive a CAE Certificate of Merit.

The SeniorWise® Award is based on the NQI SeniorWise Requirements. Organizations may apply directly for this award by completing Steps 1 and 2 of the Requirements. Organizations may assess themselves and if they score 75% of the available points, consider applying directly for this award.