Every year at convention, OPSEU/SEFPO honours locals and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the union.

To make a nomination for one of the following awards, please use the nomination form below.

Human Rights Award (local and individual)

This award is presented to one local and one individual having made the most significant contribution to the advancement of human right issues and the principles of equity.

Health and Safety Award (local and individual)

This award is presented to one local and one individual having made the most significant contribution to the advancement of our members’ interests in the area of occupational health and safety.

Leah Casselman Award (local and individual)

This award is presented to one local and one individual for mobilizing activities – one who best exemplifies the spirit and intent of “mobilizing to win.”

Live and Let Live Award (local)

This award is presented to the local that best promotes, advances, and advocates on behalf of the Live and Let Live fund to combat HIV/AIDS.

Honorary Lifetime Membership (retired members)

This award is presented to retired members who have made significant contributions to their local or to the union as a whole.

Stanley H. Knowles Humanitarian Award (individual and group)

This award is bestowed on individuals or groups who exemplify the spirit, dedication, and ideals of its first recipient, Canadian parliamentarian Stanley H. Knowles.

Tim Brown Award (individual)

This award is presented to a person of First Nation status and non-status, Métis or Inuit background for outstanding contributions to advancing the voice of Indigenous people in OPSEU and the labour movement.

Rainford Jackson Education and Development Fund Award

This fund is awarded to support organizations or projects that aim to reduce racism and improve the condition of minority groups in our society through education and organization.

Fred Upshaw Social Justice Award of Merit (Individual)

This award is presented to a racialized member who has demonstrated leadership qualities within the union and the community at large.

Nomination process

1. The award recipients will be decided by the Executive Board.
2. Nominations must be received on or before Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
3. Nominations may be made by any local member, Executive Board member, and staff member, as well as the Provincial Human Rights Committee, the Provincial Women’s Committee, the Provincial Young Workers Committee, the Provincial Francophone Committee, the Indigenous Circle, the Rainbow Alliance arc-en-ciel, the Disability Rights Caucus, and the Coalition of Racialized Workers.
4. Nominations must include a brief statement indicating the nature of the significant contribution for which the award is deserved.
5. No Executive Board Member whose local is under consideration, or who has nominated a candidate, or who him or herself has been nominated, may vote on the award.
6. Please use the form below to make your nomination. If you have more than one nomination to make, please feel out once for each nomination. Nominations can also be made using this fillable PDF. Send the completed form to the Corporate Secretary by email to [email protected] on or before Wednesday, February 15, 2023, copying your Executive Board Member, or by fax at 416-443-0017.

Online nomination form