A new national awards program has launched to recognize organizations and professionals who are raising the standard for how Canadians work.
Workplace Awards Canada, presented by North Wall Media, will celebrate excellence across 24 categories spanning human resources, labour and employment law, and workplace safety. The inaugural program will culminate in a gala dinner in Toronto in October 2026.
The awards are powered by three of Canada’s leading workplace media brands — HR News Canada, HR Law Canada, and Safety News Canada — which collectively count more than 110,000 monthly visitors and serve thousands of HR professionals, employment lawyers, and safety leaders across the country.
“For years, we’ve been reporting on the organizations and individuals doing exceptional work in Canadian workplaces,” said Todd Humber, publisher and editor-in-chief of North Wall Media. “This awards program is about bringing those stories out of the newsroom and into the national spotlight.”
Nominations are now open across all three disciplines, with categories recognizing both individual achievement and organizational excellence. Awards include HR Leader of the Year, Employment Lawyer of the Year, Best Safety Culture, and Innovation in HR Technology, among others.
Unlike many industry recognition programs, there is no cost to submit a nomination.
“We wanted to remove barriers,” Humber said. “If you know an employer doing meaningful work in diversity and inclusion, or a safety professional who’s transformed their organization’s culture, we want to hear about it. Excellence shouldn’t have a price tag attached.”
The program will also feature three Hall of Fame categories — one for each publication — honouring individuals who have made transformative, career-long contributions to their fields.
Beyond the awards themselves, organizers say they’re focused on storytelling.
“What excites us most isn’t just recognizing the winners — it’s sharing their stories with employers across Canada,” Humber said. “When we highlight an innovative mental health program or a groundbreaking legal case, we’re giving other organizations a roadmap for what’s possible.”
North Wall Media is seeking founding sponsors and independent judges to support the inaugural program. Founding partners will receive national visibility across all three publications and recognition at the October gala.
Award categories span workplace culture, legal compliance, safety innovation, talent acquisition, and employee wellness. Nominations close on May 30, 2026, with finalists to be announced ahead of the October ceremony.
More information about award categories, nomination criteria, and sponsorship opportunities is available at workplaceawardscanada.com.
