And the winners of 2014 Canadian HR Awards are...

Human resources professionals driving growth and innovation across corporate Canada claimed accolades at the Canadian HR Awards.

Human resources professionals driving growth and innovation across corporate Canada claimed accolades at a gala presentation of the 2014 Canadian HR Awards Friday.

“It’s a fantastic honour,” VP of HR for Cisco Canada David Heather said in accepting the KPMG Award for HR Leader of the Year. “I’m very appreciative to HRD magazine for its great recognition of all the great work we are doing and how our employees – all 1,600 of them – are working to bring ground-breaking solutions to our customers.”

The award is an acknowledgement of Heather’s trailblazing role in reimagining the Canadian workplace and, indeed, the HR function.

It was, in fact, one of 17 accolades, individual and organizational, handed out during the black-tie event at the historic Liberty Grand – that ceremony bringing together more than 400 industry professionals from Vancouver to Halifax.

“The evening has been amazing in terms of capturing and honouring all the different areas of human resources from recruitment to organizational development,” said Heidi Flynn, who along with the HR group at Digital Extremes – a internationally recognized leader in gaming software – picked up the Halogen Software Award for Canadian HR Team of the Year. “Our award is a validation of the work we are doing.”

The final decision in each category is the result of an exhaustive adjudication process, with the judging panel vetting hundreds of nominations before extending final nods. Sponsors of the event were as diverse as the winners, from leading law firm Aird and Berlis to Robert Half Canada.

“Congratulations to all winners and to the 100-plus finalists who represent the best of Canadian human resources, as it further develops in the role of strategic partner,” said Tim Duce, president and CEO of KMI Publishing and Events, organizer of the awards and producer of both HRD magazine and HRMonline.ca. “Thanks to our sponsors for joining in the celebration of HR’s diverse and growing achievements.”
 
Winners of the 2014 The Canadian HR Awards
 
The Cotton Candy Award for Best Reward and Recognition Strategy - Nisga'a Lisims Government
 
The Beyond Boardrooms Award for Best HR Communication Strategy - BP Canada Energy Group ULC 
 
The HRMonline Award for Canadian HR Rising Star of the Year - Fiona Ho, Fortinet Technologies canada
 
The Robert Half Canada Award for Most Effective Recruitment strategy- Hydro Ottawa

The Aird & Berlis LLP Award for Canadian HR Champion / CEO Of The Year - Peter Aceto, Tangerine
 
The Dale Carnegie Training Award for Best Learning & Development Strategy , Bell
 
The Venngo Award for Best Employee Engagement Strategy- Hughes Petroleum

Acclaim Ability Management Award for Best HR Strategic Plan - RBC career launch team 
 
The Blue Lime Enterprises Award for Best Talent Management Strategy - Navantis
 
The HRD Magazine Readers Choice  Award for Best Industry Service Provider - SunLife Financial
 
The KPMG Canada Award for Best Health & Wellness Strategy - County of Wellington
 
The Banyan Work Health Solutions Award for Best Change Management Strategy - Blueshore Financial
 
The SuccessFactors Award for Lifetime Achievement in the HR industry - Rose Patten, BMO Financial Group
 
The Williamson Group Award for Best Employee Value Proposition - EllisDon Corporation
 
The Cisco Canada Award for Best Use of Technology - Tata Consultancy Services Canada 
 
The KPMG Canada Award for Canadian HR Leader of the Year - David Heather, Cisco Canada
 
The Halogen Software Award for Canadian HR Team of the Year - Digital Extremes