Celebrating Excellence in Canadian Rail
The inaugural edition of the Canadian Rail Achievement Awards marks a significant milestone in recognizing the outstanding contributions and achievements within Canada’s rail sector. This prestigious event will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries to celebrate the individuals, teams, and organizations driving progress and excellence across the country.
​From groundbreaking projects to exemplary leadership and dedication to safety, sustainability, and innovation, the awards will highlight the very best of what the Canadian rail industry has to offer. As the first of its kind, this celebration sets the stage for a tradition of honouring excellence, fostering collaboration, and inspiring continued innovation in rail.
Join us for an unforgettable event that not only acknowledges success but also showcases the strength, resilience, and future of rail in Canada.
The Award Categories:
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Outstanding Apprentice Award
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Best Graduate Award
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Safety Leadership Excellence Award
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Best Rail Innovation Award
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Best Safety on a Rail Project Award
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Best Canadian Transit Agency
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Project Achievement of the Year in Canadian Rail
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Outstanding Personal Railway Contribution
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Safety Achievement of the Year in Canadian Rail
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Great Company to Work for in Canadian Rail
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Environmental Excellence in Canadian Rail
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More Details & Submit Nominations below.
Award Categories
NOMINATIONS NOW CLOSED
Read the full description and criteria before starting a nomination.
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Our Panel of Judges will revise all submissions entered before 2 pm October 14th, 2025.
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3. Safety Leadership Excellence Award
Honours a senior safety leader who has embedded a proactive safety culture and achieved measurable improvements across their organization or project.
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Judging criteria:
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Leadership and culture
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Measurable safety outcomes
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Innovation and collaboration
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6. Best Canadian Transit Agency
Honours a transit operator that has demonstrated excellence in customer experience, service delivery, innovation, and community impact.
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Judging criteria:
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Measurable improvements in satisfaction
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Safety and accessibility initiatives
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Innovation and scalability
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9. Safety Achievement of the Year in Canadian Rail
Recognizes a transformative safety initiative that has had a lasting effect on Canadian rail safety.​​
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Judging criteria:
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Measurable safety improvement
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Long-term effectiveness
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Innovation and adoption by others​
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1. Outstanding Apprentice Award
Recognizes apprentices who have demonstrated exceptional talent, dedication, and a strong commitment to their development within Canada’s rail industry.
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Judging criteria:
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Commitment to learning and development
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Contributions to team and projects
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Early demonstration of leadership and initiative​​​​​​​​​
4. Best Rail Innovation Award
Recognizes a groundbreaking product, service, or process that has made a measurable impact in the Canadian rail sector.
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Judging criteria:
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Innovation and originality
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Safety, operational or environmental benefits
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Scalability and sector impact
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7. Project Achievement of the Year in Canadian Rail
Recognizes the successful delivery of a rail infrastructure project that achieved strong results in planning, execution, and stakeholder engagement.
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Judging criteria:
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Value to Canadian operations
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Schedule, budget, and safety performance
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Innovation and community engagement
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ESG leadership and innovation
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10. Great Company to Work For in Canadian Rail
Celebrates organizations fostering an inclusive, innovative, and supportive workplace culture.
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Judging criteria:
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Workforce development and wellbeing
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Inclusion and diversity programs
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Retention and staff satisfaction metrics
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2. New Graduate Achievement Award
Celebrates a recent graduate in the rail or transport sector who has shown initiative, made a measurable impact, and exhibits the potential to be a future industry leader.
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Judging criteria:
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Early career achievement
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Innovation or operational impact
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Leadership, adaptability, and professional development​​​
5. Best Safety on a Rail Project Award
Celebrates exceptional safety performance during the delivery of a rail project in Canada.
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Judging criteria:
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Reduction in incidents and risk exposure
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Innovation in safety methods
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Worker engagement and cultural leadership
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8. Outstanding Personal Railway Contribution
Honours frontline workers who have gone above and beyond to positively impact safety, service, or the passenger experience.
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Judging criteria:
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Exceptional individual effort
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Tangible outcomes and public recognition
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Leadership and inspiration
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11. Environmental Excellence in Canadian Rail
Recognizes leadership in environmental performance, decarbonization, and sustainability within the Canadian rail system.
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Judging criteria:
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Clear net-zero and sustainability strategies
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Impact on environmental performance
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Transferability and leadership in ESG
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Recognition
We are calling our community of industry professionals to submit nominations of the greatest among us to be considered for the awards listed below.
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Given the exceptionally high calibre of entries received across all award categories, we are delighted to announce that each category will include a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place award:
​1st Place Winner
Recognized as the standout achievement, demonstrating excellence across all criteria.
2nd Place Highly Commended
A strong contender showing significant merit, innovation, and measurable impact.
3rd Place Commended
A commendable project or initiative that reflects the ambition and dedication within Canada’s rail industry.
The Judges
The TRACCS Rail Awards are proud to be judged by a distinguished panel of industry experts and respected leaders from across the Canadian railway sector. Each award category will be assessed by individuals with direct knowledge, experience, and leadership in that specific field, ensuring a fair, credible, and informed evaluation process.
Our judges include senior professionals from transit agencies, , government bodies, engineering consultancies, Indigenous business leaders, training and safety experts, and sustainability advocates. This ensures a balanced perspective on performance, innovation, and impact across the Canadian rail landscape.
The Ceremony
On Thursday November 13, 2025, TRACCS invites you to attend the inaugural Canadian Rail Achievement Awards. This special luncheon will bring together industry peers to celebrate the talent, dedication, and achievements that continue to shape Canada’s rail sector.
Exclusive Access
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31 tables of 10 -only 310 seats!
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11 winners and sponsors will have access to an exclusive pre-event gathering to network with the leaders and dignitaries from our industry.
​Sponsorships and Seats & Tables are already available from our online store.
Here is more information from the info session of Monday June 21st, 2025:
TRACCS Members' Benefits
All 2025 TRACCS Members can be the first to register to attend the ceremony on November 13th at the Churchill Ballroom of the Chelsea Hotel in downtown Toronto.
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All our valued members will receive exclusive early access to purchase tickets for our upcoming award ceremony. This special benefit allows you to secure your seat ahead of the general public, ensuring you don’t miss this highly anticipated event.
Discounts are also available for current TRACCS Members.
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Join us in celebrating excellence with priority access reserved just for our members.
More information is coming soon on our Members Only page.
MISSION
TRACCS' mission is to stabilize cost and ensure adequate and qualified resources to perform the work safely and efficiently.
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We aim to achieve:
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Improved and consistent safety standards in the field for rail safety
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Coordinated and proper training for workers within the unions, colleges and universities
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Advocacy for proper certification and assurances for companies to work in rail environments
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Opportunity to share best practices within the industry
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Networking
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Ongoing training and technology updates from around the world