Toronto -- The National Quality Institute (NQI) today announced the winners of the 2003 Canada Awards for Excellence (CAE).

Winners to be celebrated at Canada Awards for Excellence Gala, Oct. 29 in Toronto

“Representing the public, private and health care sectors, these organizations have successfully applied principles of excellence and demonstrated the results that come from pursuing improvement based on quality and a healthy workplace,” said Cameron Hyde, Chairman of the National Quality Institute (NQI) and Senior Vice President and General Manager, Xerox Corporation, North American Agent Operations.

"Proving and improving performance is especially important for all organizations in today’s economic climate, and this year’s winners are a diverse group,” he added. “On behalf of the National Quality Institute, I congratulate them on their significant achievements.”

The winners of the 2003 Canada Awards for Excellence are:

- Statistics Canada, Canada’s national statistical agency and a world leader in its field – CAE Healthy Workplace Award, Trophy

- The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Nova Scotia, a not-for-profit organization that is the self-regulating body for the medical profession in Nova Scotia – CAE Quality Award, Trophy

- Envision Financial, the third largest credit union in Canada with 17 branches in British Columbia and more than $2.2 billion in assets under administration – CAE Quality Award, Certificate of Merit

Canada Awards for Excellence (CAE) is NQI's annual awards program that recognizes Canadian organizations that, through a commitment to innovation, productivity, healthy workplace and ethics, have demonstrated sustainable measures of continuous improvement. Winning organizations have reported increased efficiency, expanding market share, enhanced international competitiveness and higher employee retention and productivity.

“The Canada Awards for Excellence stand as a symbol of Canada's commitment to excellence and continuous improvement,” said Hyde.

The awards will be presented at the 2003 Excellence Summit during a gala CAE luncheon celebrating the winning organizations and their employees on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto.

The Summit, hosted by the NQI Board of Governors, will celebrate excellence in Canada and provide delegates with an opportunity to learn about competitiveness, innovation and social responsibility from award-winning organizations from France and the U.S.

About the 2003 CAE winning organizations

Statistics Canada
As Canada’s national statistical agency, Statistics Canada is recognized as a world leader in its field. The organization provides relevant, timely and objective statistical information and analysis that helps elected representatives, businesses, unions, non-profit organizations and individual Canadians better understand their country and make informed decisions. In addition to a Census every five years, Statistics Canada oversees about 350 different surveys on virtually all aspects of Canadian life. With a corporate structure of 67 divisions and a current budget of $383 million, Statistics Canada employs 5,800 public service employees. About half of these are economists, mathematicians, technical officers and administrators, while the remaining personnel provide clerical secretarial, data processing support and survey implementation.

Media contact: Marlene Levine, Assistant Chief Statistician of Canada Tel: 613.951.9866; E-mail [email protected] or Sange de Silva, Director general, Labour and Household Surveys Tel: 613.951.2131; E-mail [email protected]. Web: www.statscan.ca

The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Nova Scotia
The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Nova Scotia (The College), a not-for-profit organization, is the self-regulating body for the medical profession in Nova Scotia. The College regulates and governs the practice of medicine in accordance with the Medical Act and regulations. The College's Mission Statement is "Governing the Practice of Medicine in the Public Interest."

The College is funded primarily by annual licensing fees paid by its physician members. The College is operated by a staff of 10 full-time and two permanent part-time employees and governed by a Council of 15 individuals.

Media contact: Bruce Thorne, Manager, Communications and Information Technology Tel: 902.421.2212; N.S. Toll-Free: 1.877.282.7767; E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.cpsns.ns.ca

Envision Financial
Envision Financial is the third largest credit union in Canada with 17 branches in British Columbia. Owned by its 100,000 members, Envision has 700 employees and more than $2.2 billion in assets under administration. In addition to its full range of personal and commercial deposit and lending services, Envision operates three wholly owned subsidiaries providing home, auto and life insurance, investment services, and automobile financing through car dealerships.

Created in 2001 by the merger of two other credit unions, Envision has undertaken a massive change/improvement program. It was named by the Globe and Mail as one of the Top 50 Employers in Canada (2002), and by Maclean's as one of the Top 100 Employers in Canada (2002).

Media contact: Ron Dau, Manager, Public Relations & Communications Tel: 604.539.7185; Cell: 604.309.0977; E-mail: [email protected]. Web: www.envisionfinancial.ca

About NQI

Created in 1992, NQI is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping Canada work better. NQI works to inspire organizational excellence in Canada by providing services and tools that support ongoing increases in productivity, improvements in the level of organizational excellence and the development of healthy workplaces through its Progressive Excellence Program (NQI-PEP®), and by recognizing outstanding achievement through the Canada Awards for Excellence. Web: www.nqi.ca

For more information, or to arrange an interview with NQI President Dan Corbett, please contact: Kathryn Cestnick, Vice President, Tel: 416.251.7600 ext 241;Toll free 1.800.263.9648; E-mail: [email protected]

To arrange an interview with NQI Chairman Cameron Hyde (Senior Vice President and General Manager, Xerox Corporation, North American Agent Operations), please contact: Angela Miner, Admin Assistant, Tel: 585.423.3447; Email: [email protected]

What is the National Quality Institute (NQI)?

Created in 1992 by Industry Canada, NQI is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping Canada work better. NQI works to inspire organizational excellence in Canada by providing services and tools that support ongoing increases in productivity, improvements in the level of organizational excellence and the development of healthy workplaces, and by recognizing outstanding achievement through the Canada Awards for Excellence.

Using NQI's "Roadmap to Excellence", NQI's services include strategic counsel and coaching, education and assessment services, personnel certification programs, Progressive Excellence Program (NQI-PEP®), Certification for organizations of all sizes-public and private.

NQI generates funds through memberships and the sales of products and services.

What is the Canada Awards for Excellence (CAE)?

CAE is NQI's annual awards program designed to give recognition to Canadian organizations that, through a commitment to innovation, productivity, healthy workplace and ethics, demonstrate sustainable measures of continuous improvement. These organizations have effectively transformed themselves to become more efficient, expand market share, provide employment opportunities and enhance international competitiveness.

The CAE Trophies are awarded in two categories - 'Quality' and 'Healthy Workplace'. This year marks the 20th annual presentation of the Canada Awards for Excellence, with the Healthy Workplace Award, sponsored by Health Canada, being initiated in 1999.

How are Canada Awards for Excellence (CAE) winners selected?

Recipients of the CAE in both the 'Quality' and 'Healthy Workplace' categories are judged against rigorous NQI criteria.

Organizations considered for a Quality award must show outstanding continuous achievement in seven key areas: Leadership, Planning for Improvement, Customer Focus, People Focus, Process Optimization, Supplier Focus and Organizational Performance. Public Sector entries are judged against the Canadian Quality Criteria for Public Sector Excellence and private sector entries are judged against the Canadian Framework for Business Excellence -Strategic Quality Approach.

Organizations considered for a Healthy Workplace award are judged against the Canadian Healthy Workplace Criteria, developed in partnership with Health Canada and professionals from the health and wellness sector. To earn recognition, employers must demonstrate that employee health and well-being are an integral and strategic part of the way they do business. These organizations must address five key areas – Leadership, Planning, People Focus, Process Management and Outcomes – and demonstrate excellence in health practices, social environment and personal resources and the physical environment.

CAE Certificates of Merit are awarded in both categories to organizations that demonstrate they are meeting the intent of the NQI criteria and have good systems in place, but need to demonstrate further sustainable measures of continuous improvement required to meet criteria for the CAE trophy award level.

Who are the judges for this year's Canada Awards for Excellence?

The Jury Panel for this year's Awards were: Dann Michols, Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Canada; Jim Peeples, Director, Quality, Purolator Courier Limited; Lorne McLean, Business Excellence Executive, IBM; John Perry, Senior Quality Advisor and Senior Vice President, NQI; and Pat Paladino, Vice President Quality Services Office, Canada Life.

Who are previous winners of the Canada Awards for Excellence?

The 2002 CAE winners were Dofasco Inc.; NCR; Dana Canada Inc., Spicer Driveshaft Group; Canada Post, Saskatoon Operations; Homewood Health Centre; Mullen Trucking; and CAE.