Head of the Public Service Award

 

 

 

 

Rob Wright, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister and Dale Sharkey, Executive Director, Veterans Review and Appeal Board

 

 

On December 1, 2003, the Members and staff of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board were extremely honoured when the Board's Executive Director, Dale Cindy Sharkey, was awarded the Head of the Public Service Award in the category of Valuing and Supporting People.

The Head of the Public Service Award is awarded to Public Servants who are leaders in their respective fields and exemplify the vision of the Public Service of Canada: loyalty, integrity, energy, enthusiasm and excellence.

Ms. Sharkey grew up in Red Point, PEI and is a graduate from Souris Regional High School.  She attained her business degree from the University of New Brunswick and has worked in the Federal Public Service for the past twenty years.  Ms. Sharkey takes great pride in serving Veterans as her father, George Bruce, served in the North Atlantic during World War II.

During the ceremony which was held in Gatineau, Quebec, awards were presented to recipients in seven categories:

• Excellence in Policy;
• Excellence in Service Transformation;
• Official Languages;
• Values and Ethics;
• Collaborative Working Relationships;
• Excellence in Service Delivery; and
• Valuing and Supporting People.

Alex Himelfarb, Clerk of the Privy Council, Secretary to the Cabinet, and Head of the Public Service, stated, "It gives me great pleasure to publicly recognize these outstanding women and men who contribute on a daily basis to provide the best possible service to Canadians."

Victor Marchand, Chair of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board, has also expressed his congratulations to Ms. Sharkey by stating, "Dale has a positive, open-minded approach to people.  This award is a great recognition for the work that she has done in building a team that works to ensure Canada's Veterans receive the benefits to which they are entitled."

The Veterans Review and Appeal Board is an independant, quasi-judicial tribunal located in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.  The Board is composed of full-time Governor-in-Council appointed Members.  The Members represent diverse backgrounds from the public at large and are mandated to render decisions respecting Veterans' Pensions.  The Board is also composed of approximately 80 employees, who work under the Executive Director, Ms. Sharkey.  Operating with a budget of approximately $10 million, the Veterans Review and Appeal Board hears roughly 7000 cases in more than thirty-five locations throughout Canada each year.