[3][4] Established in 1992 through start-up funding provided by Industry Canada, Excellence Canada (then the National Quality Institute)[5] was formed as a nonprofit partnership between the government of Canada and leading private sector organizations to provide strategic focus and direction for Canadian organizations.

[8] Recent developments include an Excellence, Innovation and Wellness Standard,[9] a Healthy Workplace Standard and a Mental Health at Work Framework as a part of their Canadian Business Excellence Model.

[13] In its patronage of this award, Excellence Canada is akin to the likes of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, who preside over the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the United States, and the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE), who govern the Deming Prize in Japan.

[14] Past recipients of the Canada Awards for Excellence include the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board,[15] Ricoh,[16] the City of Markham, Ontario[17] Region of Peel,[18] Diversicare,[19] Hill+Knowlton Strategies,[20] Manulife[21] Calian,[22] Ceridian,[23] and Sun Life Financial.

[24] In 2009, Michaëlle Jean, then Governor General of Canada, received the Special Recognition of Achievement Award for her dedication to women, children and Aboriginal people.