Recognizing excellence

The IPC’s employee recognition program celebrates outstanding contributions, teamwork, and dedication to our mission. At the heart of the program are the IPC’s Annual Exemplary Awards, which recognize individuals and teams, nominated by their peers, who embody the organization’s core values of respect, integrity, fairness, collaboration, and excellence.    

In addition to the Exemplary Awards, exceptional work is highlighted throughout the year through a variety of means, ensuring that employee achievements are acknowledged and celebrated in real-time, and in a way that is meaningful to IPC staff. This includes regular recognition employee emails on behalf of the Commissioner and Senior Management Committee. By fostering a culture of appreciation, the program encourages and reinforces the IPC’s commitment to excellence in service and leadership.

Adding “innovation” to our taxonomy

At the IPC, we recognize the value of innovation in helping us respond to new challenges and opportunities so we can put our strategic plan into action. Whether it’s finding more efficient ways to serve the public, using technology to support our mandate, or rethinking how we engage with stakeholders, innovation plays an increasingly important role in how we operate. By staying curious, open to change, and willing to try new approaches, we’re better equipped to make a meaningful impact in a world that doesn’t stand still.

As part of this renewed focus, we launched the IPC Innovation Champions, a cross-functional group of staff and management from across the organization, working together to promote innovation. Guided by a clear purpose and objectives, the Innovation Champions act as an advisory group to senior leadership and colleagues across the IPC. Their role is to encourage new ways of working, surface and celebrate innovative practices, and offer practical advice on navigating emerging challenges through innovative approaches.

IPC champions and committees

Meanwhile, the IPC’s other champions and committees continue their tireless efforts to make the IPC an even better place to work and to help us grow as responsible and engaged corporate citizens. These groups play an important role in shaping our workplace culture, building connections, and advancing shared values across the organization.

From the Champions for Community Giving who organize charitable campaigns, to the Bilingual Champions who support our commitment to providing high-quality services in both official languages, each team brings energy and purpose to their work. Our Champions for Health and Wellness promote mental and physical well-being, while the Social Committee creates opportunities for staff to connect and celebrate, and the Learning Committee fosters a culture of continuous learning and professional development.

The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Champions lead important conversations and initiatives to make the IPC a more inclusive and equitable place to work. And through the Green Committee, staff help champion environmentally sustainable practices in our day-to-day operations.
Together, these committees and champions bring our values to life in practical, meaningful ways, helping to build a workplace that is supportive, dynamic, and aligned with the kind of world we want to live in.

Shaping future leaders: The IPC summer student program 

The IPC’s enhanced summer student program provides university and college students with valuable hands-on experience in privacy, access to information, and public sector work. Over the course of four months, students gain real-world skills, mentorship, and leadership development while contributing fresh ideas and perspectives to IPC initiatives.

This year, we received a record-breaking 5,960 applications, reflecting the growing interest in privacy and access to information careers. Students work in various teams across the organization, gaining exposure to different aspects of our work. To enrich their experience, the program includes group orientations, leadership touchpoints, and a buddy program, which pairs students with IPC team members to foster mentorship and coaching opportunities. Lunch and learn sessions led by subject matter experts from across the organization give students insight into areas of the IPC’s work beyond their specific focus.

Our summer student program not only equips students with practical skills but also aims to develop the next generation of access and privacy leaders, fostering a deep understanding of the critical role privacy and transparency play in the public sector.

Investing in continuous learning and growth  

In 2024, the IPC continued to refine and expand its Strategic Training Program to further support staff development. All management completed workshops in strategic change leadership and performance management. Organization-wide training was rolled out for all staff, focusing on important topics like cybersecurity, Indigenous cultural awareness, mental health first aid, data de-identification methods, clear writing/plain language, and communication skills training. Employees work with their managers to develop tailored learning objectives as part of their performance plans to not only help them excel in their current role but prepare them for future opportunities as well. 

In addition, our HR team continually monitors training needs, provides tailored learning support to our various departments, and hosts orientation sessions for new staff and summer students.  Learning at the IPC is not just encouraged — it’s deeply embedded in our culture. And in the fast-moving data and digital environment in which we work, it has to be. The IPC’s Strategic Training Program empowers employees to deepen their expertise, strengthen their skills to navigate challenges effectively, and contribute to the organization’s mission with confidence. 

Welcoming IPC’s second Scholar-in-Residence

This year, we had the privilege of welcoming our second scholar-in-residence, Dr. Khaled El Emam, an internationally recognized expert in deidentification, synthetic data, and other privacy-enhancing technologies. Having Dr. El Emam at the IPC for the year gave our Technology Research and Analysis team an exceptional opportunity to learn directly from one of the leading minds in the field. His insights helped shape our updated guidance and educational materials on deidentification, and his presence enriched the professional development of our staff in a way that few external learning opportunities could.