UBC achieves Canada Awards for Excellence at the Platinum level for both Healthy Workplace® and Mental Health at Work®

We are pleased to share that UBC has achieved Platinum certification from Excellence Canada for the combined benchmark of the Healthy Workplace® Standard and the Mental Health at Work® Framework. 

This certification reflects sustained progress in embedding psychological health and safety, and wellbeing across the university.  

“Achieving Platinum certification is an important milestone for UBC. It confirms our collective progress in creating a university where psychological health and safety, as well as wellbeing are embedded in how we work, lead, and support one another. This recognition reinforces our responsibility to continue advancing this work as a core part of our commitment to nurturing a strong and vibrant UBC community.” 

— Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Vice-Chancellor 

Excellence Canada’s assessment highlighted UBC’s system-wide approach to wellbeing, and UBC’s ability to translate institution-wide frameworks into meaningful faculty and unit-level plans, initiatives, and practices, supported by leadership at all levels, workplace wellbeing ambassadors, and strong community partnerships. 

Based on input from across 24 focus groups and meetings with a broad cross-section of faculty, staff, and leadership, the assessment also confirmed that psychological health and safety as well as wellbeing are embedded across UBC’s culture, leadership development, risk management, expanded access to resources, and day-to-day practices. The depth of collaboration between central teams and faculties, departments, and units, with leaders, managers, faculty, and staff partners playing an active role in advancing this work was also recognized. 

“Our investment in wellbeing reflects our belief that people are at the heart of everything we do. This Platinum Certification affirms our national leadership and commitment and positions us to continue shaping workplaces where psychological health and safety and wellbeing are integrated for a thriving community.”  

— Adam Charania, Vice-President, Human Resources 

UBC will receive official recognition at the Canada Awards for Excellence ceremony in Toronto on November 25, 2026. 

A sunlit view of a university campus with a modern academic building and trees, overlaid with Canada Awards for Excellence 2025 Platinum award logos recognizing Healthy Workplace and Mental Health at Work.

For more information about UBC’s Platinum Certification for the Healthy Workplace Standard® and Mental Health at Work® Framework, or for consultative support for health and wellbeing strategic planning within your faculty, department, or unit, including available workplace resources and training, please visit our Health and Wellbeing section or contact hr.healthwellbeing@ubc.ca.

Learn more about Excellence Canada

Tagged

  • HR
  • Benefits FYI
  • Healthy UBC

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