[Americas] National Payroll Week continues to thrive in Canada

29 years after launching the world's first NPW, Canada's National Payroll Institute continues to break new ground to elevate the profession 

In Canada, as in much of the world, payroll professionals have not always received the recognition they deserve.  

While there is no doubt they are highly trained experts vital to every business' health, payroll professionals often do what they do behind the scenes. Pay period after pay period, year after year, they navigate endless legislated complexity and an array of interconnected calculations perfectly.

Payroll professionals are so dedicated to delivering perfect pay every time it's easy to understand how workers, not seeing or understanding what goes into making that happen, might falsely imagine such levels of accuracy and consistency are the products of systems and programs. That payroll is automated and as easy as pushing a button.  

While many are reluctant to step into the spotlight, payroll professionals deserve to be recognized for this work that is at the heart of business. That's why the National Payroll Institute, established in 1978 as the Canadian Payroll Association, launched the world's first National Payroll Week (NPW) 29 years ago.  

"The National Payroll Institute has always believed that elevating the payroll profession is an important way that we serve our members," explains Peter Tzanetakis, President and CEO of the Institute. "NPW is an important annual opportunity for us to celebrate the value of payroll professionals to workers, families, employers, communities and the economy. So many years later, seeing the week recognized by other payroll associations worldwide is wonderful!" 

Celebrated in September by more than 40,000 members through keystone events held nationwide, the Institute has recently turned up the volume on National Payroll Week by delivering an engaging multi-channel marketing campaign in the lead-up to NPW. The goal: to ensure that workers, along with business and government leaders, understand and appreciate the impact of payroll.   

This year, the campaign saw us launch a movement affectionately known as the "national payroll party." Led by our payroll party starting mascot (Acroo the Owl) and beloved Canadian social influencer turned NPI correspondent Stewart Reynolds (AKA Brittlestar), the Institute took part in Canada's biggest and best summer parties to hear from working Canadians about how grateful they are to have payroll professionals they can rely on.

The heartfelt sentiments of Canadians at stops in Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver, Fredericton, Charlottetown, Halifax and Toronto, paired with Stewart's trademark deadpan comedy, were recorded and turned into viral videos, social advertising and traditional commercials.  

"The national payroll party videos are a lot of fun," adds Tzanetakis. "But they also tell the story of how important payroll is to Canadians – not just in theory but in reality. No matter where they live, Canadians rely on payroll to feed their families and fuel their passions. And businesses rely on payroll to protect and maintain positive employee relationships."   

Author: Adam Sanders

Adam Sanders is the National Payroll Institute’s Vice President of Public & Member Engagement. Click here to learn more about how the National Payroll Institute is celebrating NPW in 2024. Watch an introduction to the national payroll party here.

29 years after launching the world's first NPW, Canada's National Payroll Institute continues to break new ground to elevate the profession 

In Canada, as in much of the world, payroll professionals have not always received the recognition they deserve.  

While there is no doubt they are highly trained experts vital to every business' health, payroll professionals often do what they do behind the scenes. Pay period after pay period, year after year, they navigate endless legislated complexity and an array of interconnected calculations perfectly.

Payroll professionals are so dedicated to delivering perfect pay every time it's easy to understand how workers, not seeing or understanding what goes into making that happen, might falsely imagine such levels of accuracy and consistency are the products of systems and programs. That payroll is automated and as easy as pushing a button.  

While many are reluctant to step into the spotlight, payroll professionals deserve to be recognized for this work that is at the heart of business. That's why the National Payroll Institute, established in 1978 as the Canadian Payroll Association, launched the world's first National Payroll Week (NPW) 29 years ago.  

"The National Payroll Institute has always believed that elevating the payroll profession is an important way that we serve our members," explains Peter Tzanetakis, President and CEO of the Institute. "NPW is an important annual opportunity for us to celebrate the value of payroll professionals to workers, families, employers, communities and the economy. So many years later, seeing the week recognized by other payroll associations worldwide is wonderful!" 

Celebrated in September by more than 40,000 members through keystone events held nationwide, the Institute has recently turned up the volume on National Payroll Week by delivering an engaging multi-channel marketing campaign in the lead-up to NPW. The goal: to ensure that workers, along with business and government leaders, understand and appreciate the impact of payroll.   

This year, the campaign saw us launch a movement affectionately known as the "national payroll party." Led by our payroll party starting mascot (Acroo the Owl) and beloved Canadian social influencer turned NPI correspondent Stewart Reynolds (AKA Brittlestar), the Institute took part in Canada's biggest and best summer parties to hear from working Canadians about how grateful they are to have payroll professionals they can rely on.

The heartfelt sentiments of Canadians at stops in Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver, Fredericton, Charlottetown, Halifax and Toronto, paired with Stewart's trademark deadpan comedy, were recorded and turned into viral videos, social advertising and traditional commercials.  

"The national payroll party videos are a lot of fun," adds Tzanetakis. "But they also tell the story of how important payroll is to Canadians – not just in theory but in reality. No matter where they live, Canadians rely on payroll to feed their families and fuel their passions. And businesses rely on payroll to protect and maintain positive employee relationships."   

Author: Adam Sanders

Adam Sanders is the National Payroll Institute’s Vice President of Public & Member Engagement. Click here to learn more about how the National Payroll Institute is celebrating NPW in 2024. Watch an introduction to the national payroll party here.