For Immediate Release
June 18, 2009

ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVANTS HONOURED

McGuinty Government Applauds Employee Excellence

Twenty-five individuals and teams are being celebrated for their outstanding public service.

The annual Amethyst Awards program recognizes Ontario Public Service employees for their outstanding leadership, customer service, collaboration and innovation in serving Ontarians.

The prestigious Sandra D. Lang Lifetime Achievement Award is being given to Dr. Carlana Lindeman. The retired Thunder Bay regional manager for the Ministry of Education worked tirelessly with school boards and Aboriginal leaders to help more students reach their full potential.

Other staff being recognized include:

• A team that is saving the government $100 million annually by merging email systems and bringing together nine separate help and order desks.
• An individual who has brought more than one hundred groups together to establish a common vision on children’s mental health issues.
• A team that launched a successful public hygiene campaign in hospitals.
• An individual who created a program that educates youth about online predators and bullying.

QUOTES

"I want to thank this year's Amethyst Award recipients and nominees for using their experience, skills and creativity in service to Ontario. Their work helps make life better by building stronger communities for all Ontario families."
— Premier Dalton McGuinty
 
“Leadership, teamwork, creativity and a vision for transformation are attributes of this year’s Amethyst recipients who strive daily to make this province one of the best places in the world to live, work and raise a family.”
— Secretary of the Cabinet Shelly Jamieson

QUICK FACTS

• Since 1992, over 300 Amethyst Awards have been presented.
• The Ontario Public Service is comprised of more than 68,000 employees and was recognized in 2009 as one of Canada’s top 100 employers and top 35 diversity employers.

LEARN MORE

Backgrounder: Read about this year’s Amethyst Award recipients