The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration is awarded annually to a public sector practitioner whose contributions to public administration exhibits the highest standard of excellence, dedication and accomplishment.

This prestigious award, sponsored by Davis Pier Consulting, recognizes exceptional achievement in public administration and encourages quality service in all orders of government. The medal and certificate will be presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, patron of the award at Government House.

Eligibility Criteria

The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration is considered one of Nova Scotia’s highest honours for public service. It is presented annually by the Lieutenant Governor to an individual who has displayed dedication, commitment, and leadership in the field of public administration in Nova Scotia. Current or former practitioners from any level of government and public sector agencies, boards and commissions, teachers or students of public administration are eligible for nomination.
Service in any field of public administration, including work of an administrative or professional nature, is considered relevant. Professional contributions should relate to administrative and management activities rather than a scientific or technical activities.
Federal Government employees are eligible for consideration for the award, but the focus of their work must have been primarily in Nova Scotia.
Executive members of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, whether national or regional, are not eligible to receive the award while holding office.
Persons actively engaged in politics, although they may have shown distinctive leadership in public administration or made outstanding contributions thereto, are not eligible to receive the award.
Nominations can be submitted by members and non-members of IPAC. Self-nominations will also be accepted. All nominations must meet the nominations requirements outlined below.

Selection Process

Nominations will be evaluated by the IPAC Awards & Recognition Selection Committee using the following four criteria:

Leadership
Innovation and Creativity
Contribution to the Profession
Contribution to the Community

Nominations remain eligible for consideration for a period of two years, including the year of nomination.

Nominations

The nomination package should include the following:

Nomination form and summary: include contact information for the nominee and the nominator(s); a list of what is included in the package; and a brief summary that outlines the reasons for the nomination including the nominee’s educational background, positions held, civic and professional involvement (two pages maximum).
Statements or References (recommended): letters from persons in support of the nomination.
Resume of the nominee (recommended)
Supporting documentation (optional)

The Committee will make its judgment solely on the basis of the information received and will not seek additional information about any of the nominees. Therefore, it is advantageous to submit a full and complete package of information as outlined in the package requirement list.

Nominators will be notified in writing of the decision of the Selection Committee.

Download Nomination Form

Key dates

Nominations open: Nov 1, 2022.
Deadline: Nov 21, 2022.
Announcement: December 2022.
Ceremony: Date to be announced. Past winners and IPAC Members in good standing may register to attend the event although the number of participants may be limited due to COVID-19 protocols.

Past Winners

2021 - Jim Stewart, School of Public Administration, Dalhousie University - Release
2020 - Dr. Robert A Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health - Release
2019 - William Lahey, President, University of King's College - Release
2018 - Millie Colburne, CEO Breton Ability Centre
2016 - Louis Coutinho, CAO Town of Windsor - Release
2015 - Rosalind Penfound, VP Nova Scotia Community College
2014 - Dr. Colin Dodds, President St. Mary’s University
2013 - Faith G. Scattolon, Regional Director General, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
2012 - Dr. Paul Brown, Professor, Dalhousie University - Release
2011 - Kenneth R. B. Simpson, Executive Director, NS Federation of Municipalities (awarded posthumously)
2010 - Robert Fowler, retired Clerk of the Nova Scotia Executive Council
2009 - Howard Windsor, retired Clerk of the Nova Scotia Executive Council
2008 - Assistant Commissioner Ian Atkins, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
2007 - Shulamith Medjuck, formerly with Department of Community Services
2006 - Robert (Bob) MacKay, Former Deputy Minister, Province of Nova Scotia
2005 - David M. Cameron, Dalhousie University
2004 - Gordon Gillis, Former Deputy Minister, Province of Nova Scotia; Wynne Potter, Former Vice-President, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
2003 - William (Bill) Hogg, Former Deputy Minister, Province of Nova Scotia
2002 - Harvey Lawrence (Larry) Doane, Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission
2001 - Jacquelyn Thayer Scott, University College of Cape Breton
2000 - Keith Robicheau, Municipality of the County of Annapolis
1999 - Peter Aucoin, Dalhousie University - Release
1998 - Jerry Ryan, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
1998 - Fred MacKinnon, Senior Citizens Secretariat
1997 - Bill Hamilton, Town of Bridgetown
1996 - Kenneth Ozmon, Saint Mary's University
1995 - Neil Roberts, QEII
1994 - David Parks, Canadian Coast Guard
1993 - Jack Novack, Dalhousie University
1992 - Donald Murphy, City of Halifax
1991 - Emery Fanjoy, Council of Maritime Premiers
1990 - Carmen Moir, Nova Scotia Department of Community Services
1989 - Sherman Zwicker, Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities
1987 - Clifford Moir, City of Dartmouth
1986 - Kel Antoft, Dalhousie University

Supporting Sponsor

The award is sponsored Davis Pier Consulting. We would like to recognize their generosity in supporting this prestigious award.