Awards Eligibility and Rules

Failure to meet the requirements could disqualify a nomination from moving through the process.

 

Vision Champion Award

Eligibility

Nominees must be:

  • Canadian;
  • members of the public (employees, volunteers) who have performed a significant public service for the visual welfare of others; OR
  • politicians who have promoted legislation or regulation in either federal, provincial or municipal jurisdictions that promote better eye care and vision health for Canadians; OR
  • educational institutions, organizations and social and community groups who promote eye health, education and safety; OR
  • research programs that focus on public eye health, education and eye safety.
Rules

All nominations for the Vision Champion Award must meet the following requirements:

  • Nominations must be submitted online.
  • Nominations must be accompanied by a statement (not more than 500 words) that provides highlights of the nominee’s contributions, to eye health and vision care in Canada, with specific emphasis on unique activities and contributions that support the public’s visual welfare.
  • Include a copy of the nominee’s résumé (where the nominee is an individual).
  • Include a current head and shoulders photograph (where the nominee is an individual).
  • A winner is chosen each year. Nominations must be submitted by March 31, 2025.
Submit a nominee

Honorary Membership

Eligibility
  • Nominees need not have practiced Optometry nor hold a degree in Optometry.
  • Nominee must be Canadian.
  • Period of service for which the nominee is being considered has no defined time limits.
  • Nominees shall have rendered distinguished service in or for the profession of Optometry or shall have performed outstanding public service on behalf of the profession or vision and eye care in Canada.
  • Nominees shall have demonstrated long-term dedication and sustained contributions that have had a significant and widely recognized impact on the profession of optometry or the vision and eye care field.
Rules

All nominations for the Honourary Membership must meet the following requirements: 

  • Nominations may only be submitted by a member in good standing of the Canadian Association of Optometrists.
  • Nominations must be submitted online.
  • Nominations must be accompanied by a statement (not more than 500 words) that provides highlights of the nominee’s contributions.
  • Nominations must include a copy of the nominee’s résumé.
  • Nominations must include a current head and shoulders photograph.
  • Nominations must be submitted by March 31, 2025.
Submit a nominee

President’s Award


Eligibility

Nominee must be:

  • Canadian;
  • Not be currently sitting on the CAO Council;
  • Have a degree that allows them to practice Optometry in at least one jurisdiction in Canada; and have practiced Optometry in Canada for at least five of the previous ten years or has instructed in Optometry for at least five of the previous ten years;
  • Be a member in good standing of at least one corporate member of CAO or has been an individually paid-up-member in good standing for at least five of the previous ten years;
  • Have made an exceedingly significant contribution to the advancement of the profession of Optometry in Canada through his or her work within the previous ten years in terms of :
    • Professional Excellence (exceptional skills and knowledge in optometry),
    • Leadership and Innovation (outstanding leadership skills and innovation in approaching challenges with a proven track record of leading initiatives),
    • Service to the Profession (active contribution to the betterment of the optometry community),
    • Community Engagement and Collaboration (effective collaboration with peers, stakeholders, and other professionals, fostering a sense of community within optometrists, and shared goals).
       
Rules

All nominations for the President’s Award must meet the following requirements: 

  • Nominations may only be submitted by a member in good standing of the Canadian Association of Optometrists.
  • Nominations must be submitted online.
  • Nominations must be accompanied by a statement (not more than 500 words) that provides highlights of the nominee’s contributions.
  • Nominations must include a current head and shoulders photograph.
  • Nominations must be submitted by March 31, 2025.
Submit a nominee