The Canadian Seed Trade Association established the Canadian Plant Breeding & Genetics Award to honour a person who has made exceptional contributions to the development of plant breeding and genetics in the private or public sectors in Canada. According to the criteria put out by the CSTA, the recipient must have demonstrated excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• world-class application of the science of plant breeding and genetics;

• applying creativity and commitment to achieving technical success;

• significant contribution to the advancement of agricultural productivity in Canada and/or abroad.

Nominees do not have to be members of CSTA, but they must have trained for, or practiced, their profession in Canada, although their work may have predominantly benefited international agriculture. The selection committee is made up of three representatives from each of the CSTA Researchers East and West committees and the Executive Vice-President of the CSTA. The panel makes their recommendation to the CSTA Board for ratification.

The Canadian Plant Breeding & Genetics Award is co-sponsored by Germination.