STEP inducted into the Canadian Hall of Excellence

As a past recipient of the Canada Awards for Excellence (CAE) Silver Award in Quality, Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) has been inducted into the Canadian Hall of Excellence.  The 25th Annual Awards Ceremony took place in Toronto on October 22, 2009 with Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada bestowing her Vice-Regal Patronage on the Canada Awards for Excellence program.  The event was a celebration of Excellence where the National Quality Institute (NQI), a national steward organization, recognizes outstanding workplaces and their people for dedication and commitment to quality, healthy workplaces, and organizational excellence.

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) achieved Level 3 Quality recognition from the NQI in 2006.  At that time, STEP successfully embarked the goal of obtaining quality certification and achieved Levels 1, 2, and 3 of NQI's Progressive Excellence Program (NQI PEP®) which in turn led to eligibility for the Canada Awards for excellence.  The Canada Awards for Excellence applicants are evaluated through an independent adjudication process in which each evaluation is judged against the NQI’s Canada Awards for Excellence criteria. 

Lionel LaBelle, President and CEO, Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership noted “the implementation of the NQI Certification as well as STEP’s induction to the Canadian Hall of Excellence is synergistic and complimentary to other quality standards.  This award represents a broad framework to show that total quality is within the fabric of how this organization operates.”   He added “the comprehensive award bodes well with STEP’s mandate and compliments our strategic business frameworks, services, and the tools that support our ongoing performance improvement in quality and healthy workplace environments while we continue to raise awareness of this organization and the membership we serve.”  STEP is a non-profit, membership driven, government/industry partnership, designed to promote the growth of Saskatchewan's export industry. 

STEP assists provincial businesses realize global marketing opportunities through specially tailored services and programs.  STEP pursues growth in existing foreign markets and opens doors to new ones.  Members include both businesses that are experienced and those that are new to international trade.  The team of professionals has the experience, knowledge, and international contacts to help companies meet their international marketing objectives. 

For further information, please contact:
Lionel LaBelle, President & CEO Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP)
Tel: 306 227-8275 llabelle@sasktrade.sk.ca