We’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible individuals and organizations recognized at the inaugural 2024 Digital Inclusion Awards! These award winners are leading the charge in creating a more connected, accessible, and digitally empowered Nova Scotia. Join us in congratulating this year’s honourees and learn more about their inspiring contributions to digital equity across the province!
Business Champion of the Year
The Private Sector has always done more than conduct business and drive our economy in Nova Scotia. Businesses also care about the people of this province and the communities we call home. Time and again, they jump at the opportunity to do what they do best in service of the greater good.
The Digital Inclusion Business Champion of the Year Award honours a Nova Scotia business that has gone above and beyond to ensure everyone in Nova Scotia has what they need to be online.
Eastlink – WINNER!
IMP Solutions – Honourable Mentions
DataGuide Technologies – Honourable Mentions
2024 Government Champion of the Year
The Public Sector in Nova Scotia is our collective way of organizing ourselves to get things done, together. Our governments at all levels are made up of a wide-variety of departments and agencies that exist to advance our collective priorities. Often, that work goes unrecognized, but not tonig
The Digital Inclusion Government Champion of the Year Award honours a government department or agency that has done exceptional work to promote digital inclusion in Nova Scotia.
NS Dept. of Community Services– WINNER!
NS Dept. of Labour, Skills and Immigration – Honourable Mentions
NS Status of Women Office – Honourable Mentions
NS Dept. of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions- Honourable Mentions
2024 Community Champion of the Year
Nova Scotia’s Community Sector plays a very special role in digital inclusion. While the public sector contributes resources and leadership, and the private sector contributes their expertise in products and services, it is the community sector that contributes the love for, and understanding of, the people and communities who need help.
The Digital Inclusion Community Champion of the Year Award honours a Nova Scotia non-profit organization that is leading the way to ensure their program participants have the access, skills, and confidence to use the internet safely and effectively.
YWCA Halifax – WINNER!
Ally Centre of Cape Breton– Honourable Mentions
reachAbility Association – Honourable Mentions
Cape Breton Community Housing Association – Honourable Mentions
Yarmouth County Learning Network – Honourable Mentions
2024 GEO Referral Agent of the Year
GEO Nova Scotia’s programs have connected nearly 2,500 households to the internet and distributed over 4,000 devices, and none of it would be possible without our network of over 100 Referral Partner organizations and their incredible teams who work alongside some of Nova Scotia’s most vulnerable residents.
The GEO Referral Agent of the Year honours individuals who serve as Referral Agents for the GEO Connects Program. With over 250 Referral Agents across the province, these individuals stand out for the way they exemplify the goals and values of GEO Nova Scotia and serve their program participants with incredible care and compassion.
Elyse Leefe (SSODA) – WINNER!
Kristen Slawter (Solutions Learning Centre) – Honourable Mentions
Jenny Boone (Pathways to Employment) – Honourable Mentions
Ruth Doucette (Juniper House) – Honourable Mentions
Tahirih Paul (Potlotek First Nation) – Honourable Mentions
2024 Program Partnership of the Year
Digital Inclusion takes many different forms, and it requires significant skill, vision, and creativity to develop and deliver programs that meet the unique needs of Nova Scotians who need support. And in many cases, especially with digital inclusion as a goal, these programs rely on partnerships to be effective.
The Digital Inclusion Program Partnership of the Year celebrates innovative programs and partnerships that are finding new and better ways to ensure digital inclusion for everyone in Nova Scotia.
THANS (THANS Mobile) – WINNER!
Public Good Society of Dartmouth (Equipping Students for Success) – Honourable Mentions
Solutions Learning Centre (Digital Solutions) – Honourable Mentions
Chebucto Links (Chromebooks for Seniors) – Honourable Mentions
Unity Charity (The Source) – Honourable Mentions
As we reflect on the achievements of this year’s recipients, we’re reminded that digital inclusion is a shared journey — and one that’s only possible thanks to dedicated changemakers like these. We can’t wait to see what’s next for these leaders and the communities they serve!
