The Communications Directorate of the Policy and Consultation Branch is responsible for informing the public of departmental programmes and activities through the coordination of media, publications, advertising and audio-visual production operations. In addition, the Directorate provides advice and support to other branches for preparing communications plans and strategies, and administers the Thérèse Casgrain,and Canada Volunteer (Lifestyle) Award programs.
Named for Senator Thérèse Casgrain, a noted social reformer and pioneer of the women's rights movement in Canada, the award was created in 1982 and was intended to recognize "outstanding contributions in the area of social reform, influencing or affecting a large segment of the Canadian population." A bronze medal and a 2,500 dollar donation to a charity of the recipient's choice, was made to one man and one woman each year; the last award was given in 1990. The Lifestyle Award (later renamed the Canada Volunteer Award) was created in 1977 "to recognize and encourage Canadians who have made voluntary contributions towards improving the health and social well-being of their fellow citizens". This award had two categories: the Certificate of Honour for outstanding contributions, granted to a maximum of twenty five recipients each year, and the Certificate of Merit for valuable contributions, given to between fifty and sixty people annually. The award was last given in 1996-97.
The records in this accession consist of textual case and subject files relating to the awards programs and recipients, photographs, artwork, videocassettes, medals and award plaques.
Boxes 1-2 contain case files supporting the nomination of an individual for the Canada Volunteer Award for 1995 or 1996, as well as a variety of subject files relating to publicity surrounding the awards and their presentation ceremonies (such as copies of press releases and newsletters). The case files generally contain a nomination form, letters of support and candidate evaluation forms. Some files contain other supporting documentation, such as resumés, photographs, or samples of the nominee's work (such as surveys, magazines, or newsletters). Box 7 of the accession contains a number of binders/scrapbooks covering the Canada Volunteer Award (1979-1996), and the Thérèse Casgrain Award (1983-1990). The binders comprise information such as: lists of recipients (with with short biographies), photographs of awards and award ceremonies (including some negatives and contact prints), copies of the formal invitations, and details of the ceremonies (description of the location, recipients, presenter, date). In one binder for the Canada Volunteer Award, there are also 14 5× " diskettes of electronic word processing documents such as; sample letters to recipients, letters to sponsors and Members of Parliament announcing the awards; lists of nominees and biographical sketches, guest lists and press releases.
The two videocassettes are: "Health and Welfare Canada, the Thèrèse Casgrain Award, January 1984", and "Les Gestes du Coeur - Centre hospitalier Côte-des-Neiges," originally part of a tetuxal case file held in Box 2 of the accession.
The material relates to 2 public Health Canada Awards: the Thérèse Casgrain and Lifestyle/Canada Volunteer Awards, and a departmental Award: the Exceptional Service Award for the Minister of Health and Welfare Canada. The 2 models are mock-up designs for the Therese Casgrain medal.
