Victor Marchessault Advocacy Award

Throughout its history, what has made the Canadian Paediatric Society unique among similar organizations is its relentless advocacy to ensure that children and youth have access to the best possible care. 

The CPS established the Victor Marchessault Advocacy Award to honour individuals or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to Canada’s children and youth at the local, provincial, or national level. Presented every two years, this award recognizes the diverse ways that Canadians help make life better for children and youth.

The award is presented during the CPS Annual Conference. The recipient is awarded a commemorative plaque and a $1,000 prize. Recipients also receive a complimentary one year membership to the CPS. 

Awarded every other year, the next award will be presented in 2026.

About Dr. Victor Marchessault

Many will remember Dr. Victor Marchessault as the leader of the CPS, where he served as Executive Vice-President from 1964 to 1997. Still others knew him as an infectious disease scholar and recall his skills and warmth as a clinician. An unwavering advocate for children and youth, his contributions to paediatrics in Canada were far-reaching. 

He established the CPS as a political force, with advocacy successes on issues such as vitamin D in milk, fluoride in water, seatbelts for children and safety caps on drug containers. He was also instrumental in the introduction of universal measles vaccination for infants in the late 1960s. 

Until his death in 2003, Dr. Marchessault was active in paediatrics, serving as Professor of Paediatrics and Infectious Diseases at the University of Ottawa and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and as Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

Nominations

Nominees should be Canadian residents or not-for-profit Canadian organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to Canada’s children and youth through advocacy work, such as:

• Encouraging legislation that protects kids from harm;
• Making communities more active, safe, and child- and youth-friendly;
• Working to make communities more accessible for kids with special needs.
• Promoting equlity, diversity and inclusivity

The Awards Committee will judge candidates based on the impact and scope of their advocacy work. 

Nominations must be formally resubmitted each year to be reconsidered. Current CPS board, Awards Committee, and Action Committee for Children and Teens (ACCT) members are not eligible for nomination and cannot nominate candidates while serving their terms.

Submissions

Submissions must include:

• Letters from the nominator and seconder (both CPS members) clearly describing the specific contribution made by the nominee in the preceding five years, identifying the impact and scope of the advocacy work. Please note that the committee relies heavily on the nomination letters to make their decision.
• Updated, condensed curriculum vitae (maximum 20 pages)
• Any documents relating to the advocacy work (if appropriate).

Submit your nominations using the Submit Nomination button.

This award is sponsored by the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation.

Past recipients