Recognizing the people and teams raising the standard of financial crime compliance across Canada. Nominate a colleague, a rising professional, or a team whose work under the PCMLTFA, in AML/ATF, sanctions and crypto compliance, deserves to be seen. Nominations are open to professionals in every province and territory.
Winners announced at the Toronto Compliance & AML Conference
Award categories
North Star, One to Watch, Innovator
All three awards recognize work done in Canada or for Canadian reporting entities. Every nomination is scored out of 100 against the weighted criteria below, so address each one with specific, verifiable examples.
CAT-01
North Star Award
Our highest honour, for a CAMLO, CCO or Head of Financial Crime at a Canadian reporting entity whose leadership measurably strengthened their compliance program.
Eligibility
7+ years in compliance, AML/ATF or financial crime
In a senior compliance role in Canada for at least 12 months
Achievements from the last 12 to 18 months
Selection criteriaWeight
Leadership & program impact40%
How they built, strengthened or transformed their PCMLTFA compliance program, and the results it delivered.
Regulatory & ethical excellence30%
Strong engagement with FINTRAC and other Canadian regulators, sound judgment and a clear tone from the top.
People & industry contribution30%
Developing their team and giving back to Canada's compliance community through mentoring, speaking or industry work.
CAT-02
One to Watch
For an early-career analyst, investigator or officer in Canada who is already making a visible difference in AML/ATF, fraud or crypto compliance.
Eligibility
Under 5 years of experience in compliance or financial crime
Currently working in a compliance, investigations or risk role in Canada
Co-op and internship placements at Canadian organizations are eligible
One winner is selected
Selection criteriaWeight
Early-career achievements40%
Concrete contributions: investigations that led to quality STRs to FINTRAC, process improvements, typologies identified, projects delivered.
Training & learning30%
TCAE certifications (e.g. CCFC, CRC, CEIC, Crypto Compliance Specialist) or other credentials such as CAMS, and how that learning was applied at work.
Initiative & future potential30%
Going beyond the role, supporting colleagues, and readiness for greater responsibility.
CAT-03
Innovator of the Year
For an individual, team or organization in Canada that delivered a new approach, tool or program that improved how financial crime is detected or prevented in Canada, including in virtual assets.
Eligibility
Open to individuals, teams and organizations
Deployed in Canada or at a Canadian reporting entity within the last 24 months
Vendors may self-nominate only with a named Canadian client reference
Selection criteriaWeight
Measurable impact40%
Results with numbers: better detection, fewer false positives, faster investigations or stronger reporting to FINTRAC.
Originality30%
What is new about the approach compared with standard practice in Canada, e.g. on-chain analytics or AI-assisted monitoring.
Responsible & scalable30%
Aligned with the PCMLTFA and Canadian privacy law, well governed, and able to be adopted more widely.
How judging works
An independent panel of senior Canadian compliance practitioners scores each eligible nomination against the weighted criteria. Finalists may be asked for a short interview or references. Nominations are accepted in English or French.
Conflicts of interest
Judges recuse themselves from any nomination involving their own organization or direct reports. TCAE staff and faculty are not eligible.
Confidentiality & privacy
Do not include client names, case details, or anything that would disclose an STR or its contents, which the PCMLTFA prohibits. Personal information is used only to run the awards, in line with PIPEDA and, for Quebec, Law 25.
Nomination form
Submit a nomination
Self-nominations are welcome. Keep each criterion response to 150 words or fewer; the panel favours evidence over adjectives.
