Watch the CSPC 2021 Youth Award Ceremony

This award recognizes a young individual (student, postdoctoral fellow, researcher, entrepreneur, etc.) under the age of 35 who proposes an innovative and compelling evidence-based policy that will make a positive difference to Canadians. This award is designed not only to highlight innovative, evidence-driven policy ideas by policy students and young professionals, but also to encourage young people not currently studying, or working on, public policy to share their policy ideas.

Eligible recipients include all young Canadian residents under 35, regardless of their field of study or work.

Image of a leaf-shaped trophy on a blue background
Taylor Reid Sutherland holding award

2023 – Winner: Taylor Reid Sutherland

Master of Marine Management Candidate at Dalhousie University

Topic: Integrating Depth Distribution Data into Canadian Shark Conservation Policy

Taylor Reid Sutherland’s proposal, titled “Integrating Depth Distribution Data into Canadian Shark Conservation Policy,” aimed to address the critical issue of declining shark populations in Canada and worldwide. Her work recognizes the severe threats faced by sharks due to high exploitation rates, climate change, and by catch, resulting in their decline and endangerment.

The proposal’s novelty lies in its innovative approach to address the limitations of SSFM and its integration of previously understudied vertical distribution data. It aims to balance creativity with logic and rationale to adapt to the current climate crisis and growing human population’s impact on marine ecosystems.

Alex Young Soo Lee Headshot

2022 – Winner: Alex Young Soo Lee

Medical Student, University of Ottawa

Topic: Addressing the Homelessness Crisis through H.O.U.S.E. Approach

Runner Up:
Carl Tutton

Projected Product Lifespan, a labeling system encouraging long-lived portable electronics

Runner Up:
Carl Tutton

Projected Product Lifespan, a labeling system encouraging long-lived portable electronics

Featured Applicants:
• Bipin Kumar
– Improving Transparency & Accountability in Deployment of AI Systems
• Ellen Rowe
– A National Digital Literacy Strategy for Indigenous Communities
A headshot of an indian woman with long hair and a purple shirt

2021 – Winner: Shaarika Sarasija

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Ottawa

Topic: Step up: Finding respite care for persons living with dementia among students of Canadian health professions

Runners up:

  • Taylor Reidlinger – A Call to Modernize Canadian Fisheries Policy: for Better Community Well-being, Food Security, Climate Resilience, and Economic Prosperity
  • Hannah Rahim – The need for community-driven phenomenological research to address the suicide crisis among Indigenous peoples in Canada

Runners up:

  • Taylor Reidlinger – A Call to Modernize Canadian Fisheries Policy: for Better Community Well-being, Food Security, Climate Resilience, and Economic Prosperity
  • Hannah Rahim – The need for community-driven phenomenological research to address the suicide crisis among Indigenous peoples in Canada
A picture of a white woman holding a trophy

2020 – Winner: Hannah Harrison

Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Geography, Environment & Geomatics, University of Guelph

Topic: Improving seafood direct-marketing for Canadian economic resilience and food security

Runners up:

  • Andrea Reid – Restoring Canada’s Pacific Salmon for a Resilient, Socially Just Future
    Interview
  • Nadwa Elbadri – Evaluation of Microbial Health Risks Facing Migrant Workers in Canada’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
    Interview 

Runners up:

  • Andrea Reid – Restoring Canada’s Pacific Salmon for a Resilient, Socially Just Future
    Interview
  • Nadwa Elbadri – Evaluation of Microbial Health Risks Facing Migrant Workers in Canada’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
    Interview 
award presentation

2019 – Winner: Emily De Sousa

Graduate, Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics, University of Guelph

Topic: Eliminating Seafood Fraud: A Fishy Approach to Food Policy

conference speakers

2018 – Winner: Jessica Kolopenuk

PhD Candidate, Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta

Topic: An Indigenous Approach to Canada’s National Missing Persons DNA Program

conference plaque presentation

2017 – Winner: Sierra Clark

MSc Candidate, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University

Topic: Residential Woodburning in Canada: Health and Climate Effects and Intervention Strategies

conference speakers

2016 – Winner: Amani Saini

Master of Public Administration, Dalhousie University and Bachelor’s of Political Science, University of British Columbia

Topic: Using Genetic Tests to Prevent Adverse Drug Reactions

Impact of the Youth Excellence Award

The Youth Excellence Award positively impacts the lives of all winners and runners up. Watch past winners discuss the impact this award or read their comments.