2007
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

Tracy Slaney has worked with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture since 2000 and, in 2006, she was asked to develop and implement the Quality, Compliance and Enforcement Program (QCEP). This training program for provincial fish inspectors ensures they have the knowledge and skills to effectively enforce the Fish Inspection Act and regulations. It is the first of its kind in Canada, and is now the benchmark by which the province ensures the quality of seafood products and other requirements of the department.

The Quality, Compliance and Enforcement Program is administered in partnership with the College of the North Atlantic, the National Seafood Sector Council, the Marine Institute and the Canadian Coast Guard. Through Tracy’s efforts, inspectors will be able to support the fishing industry by ensuring top-quality seafood is marketed in compliance with provincial legislation and regulations. Her extensive field experience, knowledge of legislation, commitment to training and pride in her work made her the ideal candidate to develop this program, and she readily accepted the challenge. She continues to be a key player on the implementation team, and maintains a close connection with the program as a resource person in the planning and delivery of the various courses.

During the development of QCEP, Tracy quickly realized that the policies and procedures manuals had to be updated, and she led the revisions and writing of new procedures. She also understood the apprehension of many of the inspectors and work diligently on the many challenges and fears that were presented to her. Her work has reinforced the need for life-long learning within the department.

Tracy’s leadership helped ensure that the innovative program for formal compliance/enforcement training for inspections officers has become a valuable measure aimed at strengthening the province’s fishery. She adopted the program as her own, and displayed a level of professionalism and dedication which exceeded the requirements of the task at hand.

Tracy has demonstrated a genuine concern for the Quality, Compliance and Enforcement Program and has worked to address the concerns and needs of her co-workers. All the while, she has sought to maintain a delicate balance between a home and a work life, and has kept the best interests of the department and its dedication to quality practices at the forefront. Her success in accomplishing these objectives is evident in the successful program she has skillfully developed.