Earlier this month, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the creation of The Prime Minister’s Awards for Volunteerism, designed to recognize achievement in three broad areas: community leadership, business leadership in corporate social responsibility, and social innovation. More details on the awards will be available in April 2011, and the first awards will be presented this year. You can read more about the awards here.

The province of Ontario is now accepting nominations for its annual Honours and Awards program. There are a number of award categories, including the Volunteer Service Awards, which recognize the thousands of people who contribute their time as volunteers across Ontario. Additional service awards and medals, including for young volunteers, are also open for nomination. The deadline for the Volunteer Service Awards is January 25, 2011. Because there are multiple deadlines for the other categories, we recommend checking their website for up-to-date information on the other awards. For more information, and to make a nomination, visit: www.citizenship.gov.on.ca.

The Canadian Music Centre (CMC) and the Canadian League of Composers (CLC) have announced that they will be awarding two Friends of Canadian Music Awards in 2011, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the CLC. Deadline for nominations is March 1, 2011. Performers, orchestras, administrators, broadcasters, journalists, teachers, composers or others who have demonstrated an outstanding and exceptional dedication to Canadian composers and their music are eligible for the regular annual FOCM award. Writers, researchers, academics, and scholars whose work relates to Canadian composers and their music (including research, criticism, writing, teaching, etc.), and whose life’s work is of a significant nature and of national scope, are eligible for the Special FOCM Award for Lifetime Academic Achievement. For more about the awards and nomination requirements, please visit here.