Call for Nominations: IEEE Canada Major Awards
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Notice of Delay: Submission of nominations for the 11 IEEE Canada Major Awards is postponed until further notice. We hope to open the opportunity in late February 2025 for the 2025 class of awardees.
Backgrounder:
IEEE Canada is undertaking process improvements for efficiency, transparency and effectiveness in everything we do.
One such area of improvement is to the 11 IEEE Canada major awards. The IEEE Canada Awards and Recognition Committee (ARC) gained unanimous IEEE Canada SteerCom and ExCom approval for the proposed minor revisions that entail only a little more detailed award descriptions and qualifications expected of nominees. The remaining aspects of the awards have not been changed.
As per the MGA Operations Manual Sections 8.3 and 8.4, IEEE Canada has submitted to the IEEE Member and Geographic Activities Awards and Recognition Committee for review of these minor revisions and approval at their mid-February 2025 meeting.
A summary of the revisions to these awards is as follows:
Background (Name) | No Change | Funds | No Change | |
Description | Improved | Nominee Solicitation | No Change* | |
Administration | No Change | Award Committee | No Change | |
Eligibility (Qualifications) | Improved | Schedule | Deviation in 2025 because of this application | |
Prize Items | No Change | Publicity | No Change* |
‘* Continuous improvement may allow for broader outreach.
Since these are not new awards, their funding, names, and intent/content have not changed.
New awards descriptions are provided herein. Nominations of candidates whose achievements fall short of satisfying these qualifications may not be further considered.
Typically, the call for nominations is to be made in October of the previous year, with a closing date 30 days later. The evaluation and final Board of Director approval are to happen between November of the same year and April of the following year.
This year, however, given the effort to review and improve the IEEE Canada awards process, the call for nominations has been postponed until after the IEEE MGA Awards committee has approved the aforementioned minor revisions of the award descriptions and nominee qualifications.
The traditional method for issuing the awards is in-person at the IEEE Canada Awards Gala held in conjunction with one of its major conferences, such as the IEEE Canada CCECE flagship conference which is held in one of the three IEEE Canada Areas (West, Central and East) on a rotating basis.
If the 2025 awards can be issued in time, the IEEE Canada Awards Gala would be held on Mon., May 26, 2025, in Vancouver, BC, at the start of IEEE CCECE 2025.
Once the nomination submission date is set, IEEE Canada will issue an eNotice (email) to all members of IEEE Canada who have indicated in their membership profile that they are open to be contacted. Please ensure your membership profile is current so we can deliver the services that may best suit you for a better member experience.
Any question, comment, concern or suggestion that may arise may be emailed to secretary@ieee.ca, arch-chair@ieee.ca or admin@ieee.ca
IEEE Canada Member Major Awards
IEEE Canada has 11 major awards: seven (7) Achievement Awards and four (4) Service Awards, which consist of medals, plaques, and allowances for travel to Award Ceremony (if required). Since these awards are IEEE Canada Member awards, nominees must be Canadian residents to be IEEE Canada (Region 7) members, and thereby to be eligible for the awards. Those living/working temporarily abroad may qualify if they maintain their Canadian residence. Nominators are encouraged to pay due attention to the Award Qualifications listed below for each award or for the area service awards as a group. Nominations of candidates whose achievements fall short of satisfying these qualifications may not be eligible for further consideration.
IEEE Canada Achievement Awards (7)
- A.G.L. McNaughton Award
- R.A. Fessenden Award
- P.D. Ziogas Electric Power Award
- C.C. Gotlieb Computer Award
- Outstanding Engineer Award
- J.M. Ham Outstanding Engineering Educator Award
- R.H. Tanner Industry Leadership Award
A.G.L. McNaughton Award
Through the A.G.L. McNaughton Award and Gold Medal, IEEE Canada commemorates General McNaughton’s remarkable legacy and his contributions to the engineering profession, in which he epitomized technical excellence, and to the society at large in Canada. Recipients of the McNaughton Medal are outstanding Canadian engineers whose life achievements have made a lasting impact in any of diverse engineering and scientific fields, demonstrating strong commitment to the engineering profession, significant innovation, and exemplary service to the wider community. The award was established in 1969 and consists of a gold medal, a plaque, and a travel allowance to the awards ceremony (if required).
About A.G.L. McNaughton
General Andrew George Latta McNaughton (1887–1966) was a Canadian electrical engineer, army officer, cabinet minister, and diplomat. McNaughton earned M.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering at McGill University in 1912. He then stayed on as a professor of engineering at McGill University. His work resulted in the invention of a cathode ray direction finder, a forerunner of radar. During WWI, he served as an officer of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. After the war, he was Chief of the General Staff and instrumental in modernizing the Canadian Army. From 1935 to 1939, he was President of the National Research Council of Canada. During WWII, he commanded the First Canadian Infantry Division (1940), served as the commander of the First Canadian Army (1942-1943), and then as Minister of National Defence (1944-1945, worked on postwar military reorganization and issues related to veterans’ reintegration into civilian life; was a proponent of using multilateral approaches for international peacekeeping, which would later become a defining feature of Canadian foreign policy). After WWII, McNaughton was Canada’s Representative to the United Nations’ Atomic Energy Commission (AEC, dealt with atomic energy regulation and non-proliferation after the war), chaired the Canadian Atomic Energy Control Commission (1946-1948), served as Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations (1948-1949, served as a key representative on issues of peace and security), and chaired the Canadian Section of the International Joint Commission (1950-1962). General McNaughton was recognized with numerous honours, including IEEE medal, and had a lasting impact on Canada’s military and diplomacy.
Sources:
IEEE Canada: https://www.ieee.ca/en/awards/member-awards/biography-a-g-l-mcnaughton/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_McNaughton
Award Qualifications
The points outlined below clarify the qualifications for the award and emphasize the impact and multi-dimensional nature of the contributions expected from nominees. The nominations for this award must provide strong and compelling evidence in the following essential areas:
- Outstanding Record of Life Long Achievements: The nominee/recipient should have a strong record of significant accomplishments over their life long career. This includes sustained contributions that have led to notable advancements in their fields of work, showcasing consistent excellence, innovation, and leadership over time.
- Innovative Contributions in/across Multiple Areas/Disciplines: A comprehensive list of the nominee’s innovative contributions should be provided, particularly those that span multiple areas of engineering and science. Contributions may include groundbreaking work in research and development (R&D), novel technologies or processes, or advancements in theory and applications. Each contribution should be well-documented, demonstrating originality, creativity, and technical excellence.
- Lasting Impact on Engineering and Science: The recipient’s achievements should be clearly identified. Their impact in any of diversified fields of engineering and science should be transformative and enduring. This impact should be clearly articulated, supported by concrete evidence, and demonstrated by the scale and scope of the contributions. It may include the introduction of new technologies, methodologies, or paradigms that have had a lasting influence on the profession and on subsequent generations of engineers and scientists.
- Exemplary Service to the Engineering and Science Community: Exemplary service to a wider engineering and science community should be highlighted. This service may include leadership roles in industry, education, mentorship, and the development of high-caliber/highly-qualified professionals. Additionally, service to professional societies, advocacy for the advancement of engineering and science, particular technical fields, or initiatives that have promoted interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange, are important.
- Positive and Lasting Impact on Society: The nominee should have made meaningful contributions that have tangibly improved the well-being of individuals, communities, or the environment, showing a deep commitment to societal betterment. The nominee’s work should have had a clear, measurable, and lasting impact on society. This can be demonstrated through the application of their work achievements to addressing societal challenges, enhancing the quality of life, or promoting sustainability of development. The recipient’s lasting impact on, and contributions to the well-being of, society at large should be clearly identified and demonstrated.
- Leadership and Mentorship in Shaping Future Generations: In addition to technical achievements, the recipient should have shown exceptional leadership in mentoring the next generation of engineers and scientists. This includes fostering talent, providing guidance, and inspiring others through both personal example and professional initiatives. Contributions to the development of academic, industry or other professional programs that nurture future generations of innovators are highly valued.
- Commitment to High Ethical Standards and Integrity: The recipient should exemplify the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and responsibility. Their work should reflect a commitment to advancing the field of engineering and science with respect for societal values, safety, sustainability, equity and diversity.
R.A. Fessenden Award
IEEE Canada remembers, through the R.A. Fessenden silver medal, his pioneering transmission of intelligible speech by electromagnetic waves. Recipients of this award are outstanding Canadian engineers recognized for their important contributions to the field of telecommunications engineering. This award was established in 2000, and consists of a silver medal, a plaque, and a travel allowance to the awards ceremony (if required).
About R.A. Fessenden
Reginald Aubrey Fessenden (1866-1932) was a Canadian-born inventor who received many patents (over 500), mostly related to radio and sonar. He is known for his pioneering work in radio technology, including the amplitude modulation (AM), continuous wave telegraphy and telephony, the first transmission of speech by radio (1900), and the first two-way radiotelegraphic communication across the Atlantic Ocean (1906). He did a majority of his work in the United States, and had both Canadian and U.S. citizenships.
In 1892, he received an appointment as professor for the newly formed Electrical Engineering department at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. In 1893, he was appointed Chair of the Electrical Engineering department at the Western University of Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh. In 1900, he left Pittsburgh to work for the United States Weather Bureau to demonstrate the practicality of using coastal stations to transmit weather information. Fessenden also developed the heterodyne principle to produce an audible tone that made Morse code transmissions much easier to hear. However, heterodyne reception would not become practical for a decade after it was invented. In 1906, he demonstrated the first successful two-way transmission across the Atlantic, exchanging Morse code messages. He appears to be the first to attempt entertainment radio broadcast on Christmas Eve 1906. In 1921, the Institute of Radio Engineers presented Fessenden with its IRE Medal of Honor. In 1929, Fessenden was awarded Scientific American’s Safety at Sea Gold Medal, in recognition of his invention “of the Fathometer and other safety instruments for safety at sea”.
Sources:
IEEE Canada: https://www.ieee.ca/en/awards/member-awards/biography-r-a-fessenden/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald_Fessenden
Award Qualifications
- Innovation in the field of telecommunications engineering: The recipient should demonstrate significant contributions to telecommunications engineering. Due to tremendous advances in telecommunications over the last century, the field includes numerous wired and wireless communication technologies (using electromagnetic waves to carry information at a distance), such as – but not limited to – mobile broadband, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth; and optical communications (using light to carry information at a short, medium and long-range distance).
- Impact on Radio: Fessenden is recognized for his work on continuous wave telegraphy and telephony, with applications to radio broadcasting, yet also exploring underwater acoustic communication. Candidates should show innovation in creating or improving technologies that use transmission of information or data by advanced telecommunications means.
- Academic and Industry Collaboration: In light of Fessenden’s work in both industry and academia, a prospective award recipient should have a track record of bridging academia and industry to solve real-world communication challenges. This could involve impactful partnerships or applied research that translates theoretical or other technical insights into practical solutions for power electronics.
- Educational Influence and Mentorship: Since Fessenden worked for a period as a faculty, teaching electrical engineering, recipients should ideally contribute to the education and mentorship of future engineers, demonstrating excellence in teaching, research supervision, or developing programs that promote telecommunications engineering.
- IEEE or Professional Service: Nominees should also show significant service or leadership to professional organizations, fostering community development, advancing industry standards and sharing knowledge.
P.D. Ziogas Electric Power Award
About P.D. Ziogas
Phoivos Ziogas (1944-1992), was a distinguished Canadian engineer, a university professor, an IEEE Fellow, and a renowned figure in the field of electric power engineering. Known for his groundbreaking work in power electronics, particularly in the areas of power conversion and control, Dr. Ziogas contributed significantly to the advancement of technologies critical for energy systems and renewable energy integration.
His work focused on high-efficiency power conversion systems, including the development of advanced converters and inverters that are essential for modern power systems, especially in applications like renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, and energy storage. His contributions have had a considerable impact on improving the efficiency, reliability, and control of power systems, which are crucial for sustainable energy infrastructure.
Dr. Ziogas was a professor, and former department chair, at Concordia University in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 1978 to 1992. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and recognition for his technical achievements and innovations. His research and publications have influenced power engineering practices worldwide, and his work has been foundational in the design and control of power electronics systems used in industries ranging from manufacturing to green energy. Much of his work was done in collaboration with industry.
Apart from his research contributions, he made a substantial impact as an educator, mentoring many students who went on to make significant advancements in the field. His legacy in electric power engineering highlights his dedication to both advancing technology and educating the next generation of engineers. He also contributed extensively to IEEE having served as its Editor-in-Chief for the IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, and the IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications.
Sources:
IEEE Canada: https://www.ieee.ca/en/awards/member-awards/biography-p-ziogas/
and in a Concordia University article on the Announcement of this medal:
Award Qualifications
- The recipient should demonstrate significant contributions in power systems, energy conversion, power electronics, and power converter technology. This aligns with Dr. Ziogas’s pioneering work on high-power converters and PWM techniques, which advanced the efficiency and functionality of power systems.
- Impact on Renewable Energy and Sustainable Power Solutions: Dr. Ziogas was recognized for his work that has applications in renewable energy systems and power quality improvement. Candidates should show leadership or innovation in creating or improving technologies that support renewable energy integration and sustainability in electric power systems.
- Given Dr. Ziogas’s strong collaborations with industry leaders like Northern Telecom, a prospective recipient should have a track record of bridging academia and industry to solve real-world engineering challenges. This could involve impactful partnerships or applied research that translates academic insights into practical solutions for power electronics.
- Dr. Ziogas was a dedicated educator who helped establish one of the world’s leading power electronics laboratories. Recipients should ideally contribute to the education and mentorship of future engineers, demonstrating excellence in teaching, research supervision, or developing programs that promote power engineering.
- : As an active IEEE member and editor, Dr. Ziogas contributed extensively to professional development within the IEEE community. Nominees might also show significant service or leadership within professional organizations, fostering community and advancing industry standards and knowledge sharing.
C.C. Gotlieb Computer Award
About C.C. Gotlieb
Calvin Carl “Kelly” Gotlieb, often called the “father of computing in Canada,” made significant contributions to computer engineering and computer science. Born in 1921, Gotlieb was a Canadian pioneer in computer science, starting in the 1940s, and marked many “firsts.” Gotlieb’s work extended to various fields, including data processing, programming languages, and artificial intelligence. He played an instrumental role in creating Canada’s first computer, the University of Toronto Electronic Computer Mark I (UTEC), which debuted in the early 1950s. His research and guidance influenced generations of Canadian computer scientists and engineers.
In addition to his technical contributions, Gotlieb worked extensively on the ethical and social implications of computing, contributing to the creation of guidelines for responsible computing practices. His influence led to various advancements in computer science education, including the establishment of computer science programs across Canada.
Throughout his career, Gotlieb received numerous accolades, including the Order of Canada, in recognition of his pioneering contributions and leadership in computer science.
Sources:
University of Toronto: https://www.uc.utoronto.ca/alumni-influence/calvin-carl-gotlieb
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_Gotlieb
Award Qualifications
- The recipient should have demonstrated groundbreaking work in computer science, data processing, software engineering, artificial intelligence, or related fields, with a particular emphasis on innovation that advances the field substantially.
- : Gotlieb was instrumental in the creation and expansion of computer science education in Canada. A recipient should have made notable contributions to educating the next generation of computer scientists, such as developing influential curricula, mentorship, or expanding access to computer science education.
- As Gotlieb emphasized ethical computing, recipients should show a commitment to promoting responsible and ethical practices in computing, including advocating for data privacy, security, or addressing the societal impacts of technology.
- Given Gotlieb’s influence in establishing Canada’s computer science field, recipients should demonstrate leadership in the computing community either nationally or internationally, contributing to professional organizations, policy development, or fostering collaboration within the industry.
- Like Gotlieb’s legacy, the recipient’s contributions should have a lasting and measurable impact on the field of computing or society, demonstrating sustained excellence and influence over time.
Outstanding Engineer Award
Award Qualifications
- Contributions in one or more IEEE fields of interest (please refer to those of the IEEE Societies and Councils, and to activities that IEEE is involved in). As noted in the award description, nominations for achievements in the fields of telecommunications engineering, power engineering, and computer engineering or science are not normally eligible, as there are IEEE Canada awards designated for these technical fields. However, interdisciplinary work may be considered if the primary focus aligns with the IEEE fields of interest.
- Contributions: Achievements must have made a substantial impact on the advancement of the profession, whether through innovation and research, technological developments, leadership in engineering projects, educational advancements or mentorship within the field. A strong track record of collaboration and influence within the engineering community is advantageous.
- Contributions to industry, academia and/or government sectors should have benefited broader society, showcasing how engineering addresses contemporary real-world challenges.
- Experience and Reputation: Recognized as a leader in the IEEE community, either through technical expertise or contributions to the engineering profession at large. Plus, demonstrates commitment to professional excellence and high ethical standards.
- : Active contributions to IEEE and possibly other recognized engineering societies or institutions (e.g., professional licensing organizations, not-for-profit or non-profit organizations, governmental or non-governmental organizations, etc.).
J.M. Ham Outstanding Engineering Educator Award
Recipients of this award are outstanding Canadian engineers recognized for sharing their technical and professional abilities through teaching (in industry, government or an institution of higher learning) and in doing so have made an outstanding contribution to engineering education. This award was established in 1994, and consists of a silver medal, a plaque, and a travel allowance to the awards ceremony (if required). Sponsored by the Canadian Heads of Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments.
About J.M. Ham
James Milton (J.M.) Ham, described as the father of occupational health and safety, was a respected influential Canadian engineering educator whose career has been marked by significant contributions to engineering education, both in the classroom and through industry collaboration. Known for his commitment to developing technical and professional competencies in engineering students, J.M. Ham has been celebrated for his work in cultivating the next generation of engineers. He’s been a university administrator and President of the University of Toronto, chair of the Royal Commission on the Health and Safety of Workers in Mines, researcher at NRC. Ham was also instrumental in founding the Canadian Academy of Engineering and served as its president from 1990 to 1991.
His approach often emphasized practical experience, integrating real-world engineering problems into coursework to better prepare students for industry challenges. This hands-on methodology not only enriched students’ learning experiences, it also strengthened connections between academia and industry, which is essential in a field as applied as engineering.
Ham’s impact extends beyond traditional academia, as he has contributed meaningfully to engineering education within government and industry contexts, sharing knowledge with working professionals and advising on educational standards, influencing engineering practices across multiple sectors and inspired numerous students and colleagues.
In recognition of these efforts, J.M. Ham’s influence on engineering education is widely acknowledged as outstanding, embodying a commitment to elevating both academic and practical aspects of engineering training.
Sources:
University of Toronto:
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Milton_Ham
Award Qualifications
This award honours individuals who embody and aim to uphold Ham’s dedication to elevating engineering education and the professional community’s ethical and academic standards through, for example, education, mentorship and professionalism in Canada. The award recipient would have demonstrated significant contributions in more than one of the five areas described below:
- Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship: The recipient should demonstrate an exceptional ability to educate and mentor engineering students or professionals, fostering both technical skills and professional growth. This reflects Ham’s own commitment to teaching and his role in shaping Canadian engineering education.
- Contributions to Engineering Education and Curriculum Development: Ham was known for his influence on engineering curricula and educational standards. Nominees should have made significant contributions to curriculum development, program enhancement, or innovative teaching methods that impact how engineering is taught and learned.
- Leadership in Academic or Professional Settings: As a leader in both academic and professional organizations, Ham demonstrated commitment to the advancement of engineering as a profession. Ideal candidates would show similar leadership, actively participating in or leading initiatives within universities, professional organizations, or governmental bodies that promote engineering education or professional standards.
- Impact on National or International Engineering Communities: Candidates should have a track record of contributions that resonate beyond their institution, potentially affecting engineering practices, educational policies, or safety standards nationally or internationally, much as Ham’s involvement with organizations like the National Research Council and the Canadian Academy of Engineering did.
- Commitment to Public Service and Professional Ethics: Ham was involved in several public service projects related to health and safety, like the Royal Commission on Mine Health and Safety. Nominees should reflect this commitment by working on projects or research that serve public interests, uphold ethical standards, and address societal needs related to engineering.
R.H. Tanner Industry Leadership Award
Recipients of this award are outstanding Canadian professionals recognized for their important leadership contributions in Canadian industry where there is significant activity in areas of interest to IEEE. Award established in 2009.
About R.H. Tanner
Robert H. (Bob) Tanner (1915-2002) received his B.Sc. In Electrical Engineering and his M.Sc. in Acoustics from Imperial College of Science and Technology in London, England, and began his career with the British Broadcasting Corporation as a pioneer in the world’s first high-definition television station developing audio techniques and researching the acoustics of studios and concert halls. Following service in the Royal Signals during WWII, Bob immigrated to Canada with his young family in 1947 where he commenced an outstanding engineering career with Northern Electric in Belleville, Ontario. There he advanced into leadership roles in research and development. He moved to Ottawa in 1960 where he helped found Northern Electric’s Research and Development Division, Bell Northern Research, and subsequently the Canadian Department of Communications. His work spanned telecommunications and acoustical design, contributing to the design of key Canadian landmarks, including the Stratford Festival Theatre and the Royal Canadian Mint.
Tanner’s influence extended beyond industry. As an active member of the IEEE, he served as the first non-U.S. president of IEEE in 1972, during which he helped restructure IEEE Canada. Tanner’s legacy reflects a deep commitment to advancing telecommunications, the engineering profession, and the engineering community.
Sources:
IEEE Canada: https://www.ieee.ca/en/awards/member-awards/biography-r-h-tanner/
Engineering and Technology History Wiki: https://ethw.org/Robert_H._Tanner
Award Qualifications
This award honours individuals who, throughout their career, demonstrated outstanding dedication to leadership, innovation, and service and contributions to the Canadian engineering and telecommunications industry. The award recipients should have demonstrated significant contributions in more than one of the areas described below:
- Exemplary Leadership in Industry: The recipient should show a record of leadership in Canadian industry, particularly in fields such as telecommunications, broadcasting, acoustics, or electrical engineering. Tanner’s leadership roles at Northern Electric (later Bell-Northern Research, and Northern Telecom, Nortel) exemplify this quality, as he guided advancements in telecommunications and acoustical technology in Canada.
- Innovation and Technical Contributions: Candidates should have made significant technical and/or scientific contributions that advanced their field. Tanner’s work with the BBC on the first high-definition television broadcasts and his acoustical designs for major Canadian landmarks illustrate the level of innovation that this award seeks to honour.
- Service to the Professional Engineering Community: Tanner was a key figure in IEEE, serving as its first non-U.S. president and helping to shape IEEE Canada. Award candidates should ideally have contributed to professional organizations or standards bodies, fostering collaboration and development within the engineering community.
- Commitment to Industry Advancement and Public Impact: Tanner’s work not only advanced industry standards but also contributed to public infrastructure, such as the design of the Stratford Festival Theatre and the Royal Canadian Mint. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to projects or innovations that positively impacted society and upheld high ethical standards.
- Sustained Excellence and Professional Recognition: Much like Tanner’s receipt of the IEEE McNaughton Medal and the Haraden Pratt Award, candidates for this award should have earned recognition for their work from reputable engineering organizations or industry bodies.
IEEE Canada Service Awards (4)
- W.S. Read Outstanding Service Award
- J.J. Archambault Eastern Canada Merit Award
- M.B. Broughton Central Canada Merit Award
- E.F. Glass Western Canada Merit Award
W.S. Read Outstanding Service Award
This is the highest IEEE Canada Service Award. Recipients of this award are exceptional IEEE volunteers who are recognized for outstanding and sustained service to IEEE Canada and the Institute. The award was established in 1995. It consists of a silver medal, a plaque, and a travel allowance to the awards ceremony (if required).
About W.S. Read
Wallace Stanley Read (1930-2011) was a Canadian Engineer who worked in hydro-electric power industries, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and its subsidiary companies, and served as the first Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) President. He was an active volunteer since 1965, and served IEEE at local, regional and international levels. To mention just a few among his many roles, he was Chair Region 7 (Canada), Region 7 Director, a Director of the IEEE Foundation, and IEEE President. His record of service to the IEEE is outstanding to say the least. For his steadfast leadership in the electric power industry and mentorship of generations of engineers, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada.
Sources:
IEEE Canada: https://www.ieee.ca/en/awards/member-awards/biography-w-s-read/
IEEE: https://ethw.org/Wallace_Read, https://ethw.org/Oral-History:Wally_Read,
GoC: https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-1887
Award Qualifications
This award honours individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and contributions to IEEE Canada and the Institute, reflecting their leadership, mentorship of IEEE members and volunteers, and service to the public. Significant contributions of nominees in the following areas are relevant:
- Leadership in Engineering and Industry: W.S. Read was known for his outstanding leadership in the electric power industry and the Canadian Electricity Association (now Electricity Canada), and his tireless efforts for improving electrical power systems. The candidate would have held leadership roles within IEEE Canada and the Institute, and contributed to industry and academic involvement with IEEE Canada and the Institute.
- Contributions to Professional Organizations: Nominees service to IEEE Canada and IEEE, holding various roles, underlining commitment to professional service should be outlined. Candidates for this award should have a significant track record of active, impactful volunteerism in IEEE Canada, and some in the Institute, fostering community, supporting young engineers, and enhancing professional development as an IEEE Canada volunteer.
- Commitment to Standards and Innovation: Nominees should have been instrumental in promoting international standards, particularly in electrical power and communications. Award recipients are also expected to have contributed to the development, implementation or promotion of awareness of IEEE standards.
- Mentorship and Encouragement of Engineers: Nominees should be strong advocates for the development of young engineers, demonstrated a commitment to mentorship and helped the next generation of engineers reach their potential through education, guidance, and career development.
- Public Service and Societal Impact: Nominees’ achievements should have a broad impact, both in the professional and volunteering domains. The award would recognize professionals whose volunteering benefits society, particularly through infrastructure development, technological advancements that improve public services, or initiatives that address global challenges such as sustainability, etc.
IEEE Canada has three areas – West, Central and East – and it awards one Area Service Award per area. The Award Qualifications for all three Area Service Awards are the same, though nominees must be from the respective award area, and listed below after the awards’ descriptions.
J.J. Archambault Eastern Canada Merit Award
Recipients of this award are exceptional IEEE volunteers who are recognized for meritorious service in the IEEE Canada Area East, at the Area and their respective IEEE Sections levels. This award was established in 1991. It consists of a silver medal, a plaque, and a travel allowance to the awards ceremony (if required).
About J.J. Archambault
Jean-Jacques Archambault (1919 –2001) was a Quebec engineer. He worked at Hydro-Québec and is known for his work on the 735kV electric transmission technology in the early 1960s. Although many specialists at that time considered that a 735-kV line was impossible to develop, the Commission hydroélectrique de Québec approved his idea and launched a project to install a transmission line between Montreal and the Manicouagan-Outardes complex. The world’s first 735-kV high-voltage transmission line was put in service in 1965, and described as the technological innovation of the 20th century for Quebec by the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. The 735-kV lines are the main and the largest arteries of transmission systems in North America. In 2005, Hydro-Québec received an IEEE Milestone for this achievement.
Sources:
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Jacques_Archambault
IEEE Canada: https://ewh.ieee.org/reg/7/awards/jj_bio.htm
T&D World, Dec. 2, 2015: https://www.tdworld.com/overhead-transmission/article/20965936/the-735-kv-transmission-line-celebrates-50-years-at-hydro-quebec
M.B. Broughton Central Canada Merit Award
About M.B. Broughton
Mervyn Blythe Broughton (1929-1995) was an Electrical Engineer with the Ph.D. from Queen’s University. He held several positions in industry before joining Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston in 1979, where he worked as a Professor in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of IRE 1952-62, and a member of IEEE 1962-95. He served in various volunteer positions including as Chair of the IEEE Kingston Section.
Source:
IEEE Canada: https://www.ieee.ca/en/awards/member-awards/biography-m-b-broughton/
E.F. Glass Western Canada Merit Award
About E.F. Glass
Edward Francis Glass (1928-1993) was an Electrical Engineer with a successful career in utility sales and support. He was President of the Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba, and served with the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Canadian Electrical Association and the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers. His IEEE volunteer activities included serving as Secretary, Treasurer and Chairman of the Winnipeg Section of the IEEE. He was elected a member of the IEEE Board of Directors (1978-1979) and concurrently chair of the Region 7, now IEEE Canada. He initiated creating the first IEEE McNaughton Learning Resource Center at the University of Manitoba in 1978 for students to gain entrepreneurial skills to complement their regular program of studies. Today, there are over 40 such centres at Universities and Colleges across Canada.
Source:
IEEE Canada: https://www.ieee.ca/en/awards/member-awards/biography-e-f-glass/
Area Service Award Qualifications (for all 3 Area Service Awards)
The above three IEEE Canada Area Service Awards honour individuals who have demonstrated meritorious contributions to any of the three IEEE Canada Areas: East, Central and West. Recipients of these awards reflect the commitment, leadership, and communication skills needed to successfully fulfill IEEE Canada’s vision, mission, goals and objectives. Thus, significant contributions of nominees in the following areas are to be considered:
- Demonstrated ability to represent interests of Area entities as well as Region directives, serving as a bridge among all entities involved in order to support effective governance, including information sharing, decision making, completion of objectives, and growth of volunteers’ professional and soft-skills.
- Demonstrated ability to establish open and effective channels of communication among the IEEE entities within the Area and other Regions, fostering discussions to keep all involved parties informed and engaged.
- Demonstrated strong organizational capabilities to initiate, manage and supervise activities of several IEEE entities, facilitate meetings, and meet timely reporting requirements, while ensuring adherence to IEEE Canada policies and standards.
- Demonstrated dedication to enhancing member and volunteer involvement and satisfaction, initiatives for membership growth and retention, and overall member engagement within the Area and IEEE Canada.
- Demonstrated initiative to organize workshops, strategic planning sessions, and leadership and other training for Area representatives to promote their continuous development, best practices, and effective regional leadership.