Instant Awards

Day-to-Day recognition acknowledges, on an informal and regular basis, the significance of the contributions made by an employee or a team towards the achievement of the department’s mission or goals. Day-to-Day recognition is a "Thank-you" by word or gesture that focuses on the act of recognition rather than on the cost of the award. It fosters an environment that is healthy and enables employees

Instant Awards are awarded to employees for performing above and beyond their regular duties or in support of achieving Departmental objectives and priorities.

Yes, except for employees on a performance pay plan, this type of appreciation award is permitted. Refer to the Canada Revenue Agency’s rules for gifts and awards for the policy on taxable gifts and a list of near-cash gifts/awards.

Managers considering giving a gift certificate must advise employees. Instant Awards are considered employment benefits and are therefore taxable under applicable tax legislation (the federal Income Tax Act and the Quebec Taxation Act). Employees will be issued a T4A for the full amount of the award. Managers must inform the employee of the tax implications. The employee can then decide if this is the form of recognition preferred.

Yes, as long as the individual is part of an ESDC team and the award has no monetary value.

For example, they can be recognized with an appreciation certificate or a “thank you” card.

Managers require the section 34 signing authority to purchase awards for employees. The Recognition Program - Approval Form (HRB5016) (PDF, 120 KB) (opens new window) must be signed before the purchase can be made. The cost of any awards purchased, including items purchased through iBoutique, is paid out of a Manager’s budget.

The value of an award must not exceed $500 per person and $1,000 per team, not exceeding $500 per person (including taxes and shipping). Should the total amount for a group’s award exceed $1,000, the approval of the Deputy Minister or Chief Financial Officer is required in accordance with the financial delegation instrument.

Your Branch/Regional Recognition Coordinator can assist you in making your Instant Award purchase(s).

No. Expenditures for Recognition are only for recognizing attributes and behaviours that promote our values and objectives. Recognition or any federal government funds are not to be used to purchase gifts for personal life events such as births, weddings, birthdays, retirements or funerals.

No, the Recognition Policy does not permit this. However, the manager can give an employee a gift certificate (instant award) to a specific restaurant and they need to advise employees of the tax implications (T4A to be received).

Yes. However, employees participating in a performance pay plan (EX and non-EX with PP) are not eligible for cash awards and/or gift certificates because their compensation plan already contains a cash bonus component that recognizes their performance. Therefore, it is appropriate to recognize their efforts with an item that has no monetary value since they already received compensation as recognition for their performance.

Under the new Recognition program, the financial limits are no longer governed by the Treasury Board limits. The limit for informal recognition is now $500 per individual (including taxes and shipping). For team recognition, there is a maximum of $1000 for the team (including taxes and shipping). Should the total amount for a group’s award exceed $1,000, the approval of the Deputy Minister or Chief Financial Officer is required in accordance with the financial delegation instrument. See the Recognition Policy Guidelines for more information. For CRA policy on taxable gifts, refer to the Canada Revenue Agency’s rules for gifts and awards.

It is not permitted to give cash as recognition.

Examples of Instant Awards are theatre tickets, gift certificate, books or tangible gift-items that are meaningful to the recipient. Managers may choose iBoutique or another provider to select the awards. These are at the discretion of managers, with ethical consideration and public interest in mind. The form of recognition should respect the professional and ethical values under the Code of Values and Ethic in the Public Service.

The purchase of any items impacting on public perception, such as tobacco and alcohol, is prohibited. Also, a manager cannot award an employee or a group of employees for work performance by taking them to a restaurant.