The CSPC Science Policy Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to science policy, and throughout their career have championed and inspired the science policy community in Canada. This award recognizes the work of individuals who have worked in science policy over a period of many years and made a deep impact in Canadian science policy.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is nominated and selected by the CSPC Board of Directors. CSPC encourages all individuals and/or organizations to forward names of any persons who they believe might deserve to be nominated for this award to CSPC ([email protected]). The CSPC is committed to the principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and encourages individuals from all groups to apply. An individual may win the CSPC award only once.

Image of a leaf-shaped trophy on a blue background
  • 2025

    Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

    Dr. Rémi Quirion

    Chief Scientist of Québec, President of INGSA

    Dr. Rémi Quirion has been selected as the recipient of the CSPC 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary and long-term contributions to science, innovation, and public policy in Quebec, Canada and internationally.

    As Québec’s first Chief Scientist, Dr. Quirion has been a tireless advocate for interdisciplinary research, international collaboration, and public engagement with science. He has elevated Québec’s standing as a global leader in science and innovation and become one of Canada’s foremost champions of science diplomacy, fostering strong ties with the Francophonie, the Global South, and other partners worldwide.

Previous Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

  • M.-Stanton-jean-award-photo

    2024

    Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

    Michèle Stanton-Jean, PhD

    Chercheuse invitée, Centre de recherche en droit public, Université de Montréal

Dr. Henry Friesen holding award

  2023 – Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:

Dr. Henry Friesen

Senior Fellow and Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Manitoba

Sheila Watt-Cloutier with CSPC award

2022 – Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:

Sheila Watt-Cloutier

Citizen Advocate on Environmental, Cultural and Human Rights

Sheila Watt-Cloutier has been selected as a result of so many years of exceptional contribution and leadership over the course of her career in bringing Indigenous perspectives and knowledge to national and international policymaking, in particular on environmental health, sustainability and preservation.

She has raised awareness of the threat of climate change in the Arctic and its relationship to human rights and Indigenous rights in Canada, and globally, She has been clearly articulating the interconnectedness of Inuit culture, the environment, the economy, foreign policy, global health, and sustainability. Her work with the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment integrated traditional and western knowledge and evidence, bringing a human face to climate change in the Arctic. She has inspired the science policy community across Canada with her insights, courage, and voice.

A headshot of an old, white man in glasses

2021 – Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:

Peter Nicholson

Chair of the Board, Canadian Institute for Climate Choices

A picture of a man holding a leaf-shaped glass trophy

2020 – Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:

Robert Slater

Adjunct Professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration, Carleton University
Executive Director of the Regulatory Governance Initiative

presentor appreciation

2019 – Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:

Paul Dufour

Principal, Paulicy Works
Senior Fellow, Institute for Science, Society & Policy, University of Ottawa