2026 Canadian HR Awards: Submit your nominations today!

It’s time to shine a light on your top people, programs, and strategies!

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Canadian HR Awards, with organisers calling on HR leaders and teams across the country to put forward their top people, programs, and strategies before the 19 June deadline.

Now in its 13th year, the Canadian HR Awards is recognised as one of the country’s leading platforms for celebrating innovation, impact, and leadership in human resources.

Unlike general business awards that include HR as a side category, the Canadian HR Awards is a dedicated stage for the people profession. For more than a decade, it has been the night where HR steps into the spotlight, shining a national light on the work that is redefining how Canada works, competes, and grows through people strategy.

Focus on HR strategies, outcomes

The awards focus on the HR strategies and decisions that materially change outcomes for employees, organisations, and the broader labour market. From culture and leadership to technology and talent, the program highlights work that elevates HR from a support function to a strategic engine.

In 2026, the awards will again spotlight trailblazers who are:

• Redefining people strategy to meet shifting workforce expectations
• Building cultures that attract, develop, and retain top talent
• Delivering measurable business results through HR innovation

Recognition spans rising leaders and seasoned executives, as well as specialist teams and enterprise‑wide initiatives, positioning the awards as one of the highest forms of recognition within Canada’s HR community.

How to nominate

Entries must be submitted through the awards’ official Nominate page. There is no fee to submit a nomination, making the awards accessible to HR teams of all sizes – from large national employers to smaller, fast‑growing organisations.

Nominators can submit the same individual, team, or organisation across multiple categories where appropriate. Multiple nominators may also endorse the same candidate or team, a feature designed to strengthen submissions by adding additional perspectives and supporting evidence.

All nominations should be clear, evidence‑based, and closely aligned with the criteria for each category, including demonstrable people and business outcomes.

Nominations opened on March 30, 2026 and will close on June 19, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Key categories of Canadian HR Awards

Here are some of the individual, team, and organisational categories for the 2026 Canadian HR Awards:

The O.C. Tanner Award for Lifetime Achievement in HR

Considered one of the top honours in Canadian HR, this award recognises a transformational leader whose sustained contribution has helped shape the profession itself.

Nominees are expected to demonstrate:

• At least 15 years of distinguished contribution to the HR profession, ideally across multiple roles, organisations, or sectors
• Evidence of lasting, system‑level impact on organisational people practices or the wider profession – for example, through major reforms, pioneering programs, or policy influence
• A visible track record of thought leadership and mentorship, including sharing expertise, developing future leaders, and influencing the HR community through speaking, writing, teaching, or advocacy
• A values‑driven legacy characterised by innovation, integrity, and inspiration

The recipient is determined through a combination of nominations and independent industry research, underscoring the emphasis on reputation and real‑world impact rather than self‑promotion.

Excellence in Senior HR Leadership

This category recognises a senior HR executive who has combined strategic vision with delivery over the past 12 months.

Judges will be looking for:

• A clear career narrative showing leadership progression and growing influence, rather than a static CV
• Demonstrated advancement of the organisation’s HR strategy – such as enabling a new business model, guiding a merger, or supporting a major growth phase
• At least two major people initiatives successfully delivered in the past year, for example a new performance framework, workforce transformation, or large‑scale change program
• Evidence of navigating a significant organisational challenge, whether economic uncertainty, restructuring, labour relations issues, or rapid scaling
• Measurable results in areas such as engagement, retention, productivity, risk reduction, or financial performance

Excellence in Employee Wellbeing Strategy

Reflecting the growing strategic importance of wellbeing, this award honours organisations that take a holistic, data‑informed approach across mental, physical, financial, and social domains.

Strong nominations are expected to demonstrate:

• A coherent wellbeing strategy aligned to business and workforce needs, rather than a collection of isolated perks
• At least one significant initiative implemented or enhanced in the past 12 months – such as expanded mental health supports, financial wellbeing tools, or manager training
• Integration of wellbeing into policies, benefits, leadership behaviour, and culture
• Evidence of impact through data on engagement, absenteeism, retention, productivity, or health outcomes

Excellence in Total Rewards & Recognition

With competition for talent remaining intense, this category recognises innovative total rewards strategies that drive engagement, performance, and retention.

Entries should highlight:

• A holistic total rewards philosophy covering compensation, benefits, and recognition, grounded in a clear understanding of workforce needs
• New or enhanced programs introduced in the last 12 months, such as flexible benefits, modern recognition platforms, or differentiated rewards for critical roles and skills
• Strong alignment between total rewards, the employee value proposition, and overall business strategy
• Measurable impacts on engagement scores, attrition, talent attraction, or performance indicators

Excellence in Talent Management Strategy

As skills shortages and demographic shifts reshape the labour market, this award recognises integrated approaches to identifying, developing, and mobilising talent.

Winning submissions will show:

• A clearly articulated talent philosophy explicitly connected to workforce planning and future capability requirements
• End‑to‑end integration across succession planning, performance management, internal mobility, and development, avoiding siloed processes
• Robust measurement, including outcomes such as bench strength, internal promotion rates, retention of critical talent, diversity in pipelines, or reduced time‑to‑fill for key roles

Submit your nominations now!