2012-13 Departmental Performance Report

Additional Information

Awards and Recognition Internal to Fisheries and Oceans Canada

The Deputy Minister awarded the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Prix d’Excellence to 16 recipients from across Canada for their exceptional contributions to achieving departmental objectives during 2012-13.

The Deputy Minister awarded 116 Deputy Minister Commendations and the Commissioner awarded 10 Canadian Coast Guard Commendations in 2012-13 to departmental employees in recognition of their significant acts of devotion to duty or bravery that contributed to the betterment and well-being of society.

Approximately 116 employees received Distinction Awards for their outstanding achievements and contributions in furthering the objectives of the Department or the Government of Canada.

The Department honoured 11 employees in 2012-13 with the Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal and 34 employees with the Canadian Coast Guard Exemplary Service Medals and/or Bar.

Over 1,176 Fisheries and Oceans Canada employees were recognized for their long service with the federal government in 2012-13: 498 for 15 years of service; 435 for 25 years of service; and 261 for 35 years of service.

Approximately 319 departmental employees retired and were recognized with a retirement certificate signed by the Prime Minister for their years of loyal service to the Government of Canada.

More than 866 employees were recognized by their supervisor with an Immediate Award or other informal recognition.

Awards and Recognition from Outside Organizations

Francine Séguin and Scott Levac, National Capital Region – Michelle C. Comeau Award

The Michelle C. Comeau Human Resources Leadership Awards ceremony was held on May 23, 2012, celebrating leadership and excellence in human resources management in the federal public service. There are seven award categories to recognize the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of human resources professionals who advance the people management agenda.

We are pleased and proud that DFO had recipients in two of the seven categories:

• Francine Séguin, National Team Leader, Workforce Management, received the “Human Resources Manager” award in recognition of the strategic and central role she played in the development of a workforce management strategy and tools, as well as her significant leadership and support government-wide; and
• Scott Levac, former Director of HR Management Systems, as part of an interdepartmental team nominated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, received the award in the category of “Human Resources Team” in recognition of their innovation, creativity and perseverance in the design and implementation of the Human Resources Business Solutions Pilot.

A Tribute to Marty Bergmann – A medal is struck celebrating Martin Bergmann's Arctic Legacy

On Thursday April 26, 2012 at the International Polar Year, “From Knowledge to Action” Conference in Montreal, the Royal Canadian Geographic Society hosted an event to honour the Arctic Legacy of the late Marty Bergman, a long-time employee of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Polar Continental Shelf Program at Natural Resources Canada.

The event included the unveiling and inauguration of the Martin Bergmann Medal for Excellence in Arctic Leadership, Science and Exploration, established by the Royal Canadian Geographic Society. The initial medal was presented to Marty posthumously, and was accepted by his wife, Sheila.

Luke McKay, National Capital Region – Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) Promising New Professional Award

In July 2012, Luke McKay, a Strategic Policy and Priorities employee in the National Capital Region, was selected as one of the four finalists of the 2012 Institute of Public Administration of Canada Promising New Professional Award for the leadership demonstrated in his roles with Government of Canada.

The award is presented annually to a promising new public service professional who is an emerging leader within the public sector and represents the ideals, values and abilities of sound public administration.

Hillary Oakman, Central & Arctic Region – Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service

In June 2012, Hillary Oakman, a Policy and Economics employee in the Central and Arctic Region, was awarded the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service for her volunteer efforts as the first chairperson of the National Military Family Council. This significant accomplishment is a tribute to her talent, hard work and dedication to improving the lives of our military families.

Dale Bollivar and Team, Canadian Coast Guard Old Maritimes Region – Medal of Bravery, Governor General of Canada

The team consists of Dale Bollivar, Ian McBride, Paul Oliver and Dave Pink. They were recognized for their actions in the rescue of three fishermen whose vessel had sunk in the Bay of Fundy on December 16, 2010.

Science Scallop Team, Maritimes Region – Federal Council Award

The team consists of Amy Glass, Alan Reeves, Jessica Sameoto, Brad Hubley, Leslie Nasmith and Stephen Smith. The team has developed an innovative technique for communicating the results of advice for fishery management to the fishing industry.  This tool, which is unique in stock assessment of Atlantic Canada, links habitat suitability and fishing effort and describes clearly the consequences of uncertainty in fishery management decisions required for this fishery. Camera techniques have been combined with multi-beam benthic habitat classification to reveal the link between scallop abundance as observed in traditional scallop dredge sampling gear and what is on the ocean floor. This approach changed the fishermen’s perception of scallop population numbers and density and survey results and increased client confidence in Fisheries and Oceans Canada fishery evaluations and management actions.

The success of this unit starts with the technical expertise exhibited by Amy Glass and Alan Reeves. They are the first contact with industry on the water.  Their combination of scientific expertise and fishing experience allows Fisheries and Oceans Canada to obtain credibility and provides confidence in the analyses provided.  Jessica Sameoto (biologist), brings a geospatial expertise to the group that allows it to incorporate the new spatial data and analyses into the solutions identified above, Brad Hubley (biologist), provides the populations computer modeling expertise necessary to produce quantitative results, Leslie Nasmith (biologist) provides statistical knowledge and expertise to ecological problems, and Stephen Smith (research scientist) provides the overall scientific direction for the unit.

Dr. Mohiuddin Munawar, Central & Arctic Region –
Honorary Fellow 2013, Inland Fisheries Society of India, 100th Indian Science Congress, Kolkata, India

Dr. Munawar was recognized for his convening of ecosystem health conferences, symposia and workshops for the promotion and capacity building of ecosystem sciences.

He was editor of the following two peer reviewed books under preparation:

• Health and fisheries of major river ecosystem of India
• Ecosystem health and fisheries of River Ganges, India

Dr. Mohiuddin Munawar – Central & Arctic Region – 2012 Life Time Achievement Award
International Association of Great Lakes Research, Cornwall, Ontario

This is the most prestigious award given by the International Association of Great Lakes Research for outstanding contributions. Award was given for long term research on the Great Lakes focusing on the structure, function and dynamics of microbial-planktonic communities. Research also included food web and ecosystem health of the Great Lakes Areas of concern (Bay of Quinte) and lakes Superior and Ontario. Editor of the Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management as well as Ecovision World Monograph Series. Significant contributions included keynote-plenary lectures, publications of research papers and peer reviewed books.

Dr. Sarah Bailey – Central & Arctic Region – 2012 Transport Canada Award of Excellence – National Team Award

This award recognized the success of efforts to manage ballast waters of ships to protect the Great Lakes and Canadian waters from Aquatic Invasive Species. Dr. Bailey was the lead science member of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Ballast Water.  Dr. Bailey’s science and advice have led the design and evaluation of this successful program.  This award recognizes her contributions to the team that delivered this program.

Deanna Leonard, Central & Arctic Region – Premier's Collaboration Award

According to the Government of Northwest Territories information, “Collaboration team awards recognize the outstanding achievements of employees who work in partnership with individuals outside the Government of Northwest Territories to improve service for Northwest Territories residents.”

Deanna Leonard was part of the team that received this award for The Slave River and Delta Partnership, Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Partners, awarded in June 2012.

Margaret Keast, Central & Arctic Region – United Way of Winnipeg, 2012 Employee Quantum Leap Award

For increasing workplace donors by 25% or more and raising an additional $1000 for the United Way (as compared to the previous year). 

Bruce Briggs and team, Canadian Coast Guard Western Region – Seattle Yacht Club Appreciation Trophy

The team consists of Bruce Briggs (Captain), Tom Moxey (First Officer), Shon Wirth (Coxswain), Dave Sarzynick (Rescue Specialist), Dan Collier (Rescue Specialist), James Mole (Rescue Specialist) and Jeff Knaupp (Rescue Specialist). This trophy is to recognize and express appreciation for the invaluable service which the Canadian Coast Guard provides to pleasure boaters in the waters of British Columbia.

Specifically, the team worked together with voluntary Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary to provide search and rescue services in an extremely difficult environment. The team and the auxiliary located survivors in the dark and fast flowing Fraser River, which was littered with wood and heavy debris.  The injured were in multiple locations, hidden by logs and darkness, and nearly all injuries were life-threatening.