Victims and Survivors of Crime Week Excellence Awards: Nomination Criteria and Process

Justice Canada presents four Excellence Awards during Victims Week each year. The Excellence Awards all aim to acknowledge the dedication of victim advocates, justice professionals, and service providers across Canada.

The Policy Centre for Victim Issues will send out an E-Blast announcing the launch of the Call for Nominations each year. To receive the E-Blast and to be added to the Victims Week distribution list, please email vwsdv@justice.gc.ca. The chosen recipients are announced during the virtual Victims Week opening event.

Justice Canada is currently seeking nominations for the following categories:

1. Excellence in Victim Service Award
   Nomination Form
2. Excellence in Volunteer Victim Service Award
   Nomination Form
3. Excellence in Victim-Centered Policing Award
   Nomination Form
4. Excellence in Legal Practice and Victim Support Award
   Nomination Form

Required Documentation

Each nomination must include the following documentation:

1. The nomination form. The nomination form requires the following information:
   • Comprehensive contact information for both the nominee and nominator including name, pronouns (optional), position/title, organization, mailing address, phone number, email address, and language preference.
   • A biography providing background information about the nominee including biographical information, as well as specific chronological information regarding education, work and volunteer experience, skills, major achievements, recognitions, etc. (maximum of 1550 total words)
   • A nomination overview that includes specific information about the nominee, detailing how their work or efforts demonstrate a significant contribution to improving the experience of victims and survivors of crime in Canada (maximum of 1400 total words).
2. A photo of the nominee. This photo is required and will be used to present the nominee at the award ceremony. Please note that photos will not be shown to the selection committee during the selection process.

You may also submit a letter of support that conveys the nominee’s achievements as they relate to the award criteria. The letter should provide additional information and add value to the nomination and/or provide concrete examples that support the nomination. Letters of support from the nominee or their family members will not be accepted (maximum of 1000 words).

Terms and Conditions

• The Nomination Form must be submitted through the Victims Week website, and a photo of the nominee must be submitted by email to vwsdv@justice.gc.ca. If you are submitting a letter of support, this must also be submitted by email to vwsdv@justice.gc.ca.
• Nominations will be considered complete once all required documentation is submitted (nomination form, photo of the nominee, and if possible, a letter of support).
• All required documentation must be received before the nomination closing date.
• An attestation that the nominee is aware of the nomination and consents to you sharing their contact information with the Government of Canada and the arm’s length selection committee, who will be bound by a confidentiality agreement, must be included in the nomination form. (Note: the personal information provided will be treated in accordance with the Privacy Act.)
• It is the nominator’s responsibility to ensure that the nomination is complete. Only complete nominations will be considered by the selection committee.
• Only “Required Documentation” as listed above will be accepted. Additional materials, other than letters of support, will not be considered by the selection committee.
• Only one nomination per candidate will be accepted. If more than one nomination is submitted for the same individual, only the first complete nomination received will be considered by the selection committee.
• Previously submitted nominations for nominees that did not receive the award can be re-submitted for consideration. In such cases, it is required that the documentation submitted be updated with information that was not previously included.
• Self-nominations will not be accepted.
• Nominators will be informed of the selection committee’s decision by January 30, 2026.

Should there be any issues fulfilling any of the requirements, please email us at vwsdv@justice.gc.ca.

Previous Winners

Here are previous Victims Week Excellence Awards recipients:

• 2025
• 2024