In memory of a distinguished Canadian jurist and Catholic School Trustee, the Honourable Justice James Higgins (1913-1974) of St. John’s, Newfoundland, the Board of Directors of CCSTA annually presents an award to a person or group that has made an outstanding contribution to Catholic education in Canada. The Justice James Higgins Award is the highest honour provided by CCSTA. It reflects recognition of an exceptional contribution to Catholic education in this country.
| Name | Province | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Albert Provost | Saskatchewan | 2023 |
| Joan Carr | Alberta | 2022 |
| Archbishop Donald Bolen | Saskatchewan | 2021 |
| The Sisters of St. Ann – St. Joseph’s Community | British Columbia | 2020 |
| Tony Sykora | Alberta | 2019 |
| Sr. Teresita Kambeitz | Saskatchewan | 2018 |
| Most Rev. Bishop F. Henry | Alberta | 2017 |
| Kevin Kobus | Ontario | 2016 |
| Dr. Bonaventure Fagan | Newfoundland | 2015 |
| Kevin Feehan | Alberta | 2014 |
| Greg McNally | Ontario | 2013 |
| Regis O’Connor | Ontario | 2012 |
| Norm Bethune | Ontario | 2011 |
| Patrick J. Daly | Ontario | 2010 |
| Archbishop Joseph N. MacNeil | Alberta | 2009 |
| Julian Paslawski | Saskatchewan | 2008 |
| Louise Ervin | Ontario | 2007 |
| Thomas E. Owens | Saskatchewan | 2006 |
| Dr. John J. Flynn | Ontario | 2005 |
| Joan Cronin g.s.i.c. | Ontario | 2004 |
| Lois Burke-Gaffney | Alberta | 2003 |
| Dennis Wasylyniuk | Manitoba | 2002 |
| Msgr. Dennis Murphy | Ontario | 2001 |
| Dorothy Fortier | Saskatchewan | 2001 |
| Institutes of Consecrated Life of Canada | 2000 | |
| Archbishop Marcel Gervais | Ontario | 1999 |
| Wendelin Herle | Saskatchewan | 1998 |
| Fr. Thomas Mohan | Ontario | 1997 |
| Gerry Fallon | Newfoundland | 1996 |
| Bishop James Mahoney | Saskatchewan | 1995 |
| Archbishop Adam Exner | British Columbia | 1994 |
| Mike Van Adrichem | British Columbia | 1993 |
| Rev. Raymond Durocher, O.M.I. | Ontario | 1992 |
| Chris Asseff | Ontario | 1991 |
| Mrs. Yolande Gagnon | Alberta | 1990 |
| Philip Hammel | Saskatchewan | 1989 |
| C. Frank Furey | Newfoundland | 1988 |
| Molly Boucher | British Columbia | 1987 |
| Frank Chad | Saskatchewan | 1986 |
| Rev. P.H. Fogarty, C.S.C. | Ontario | 1985 |
| Joseph C. Stangl | Manitoba | 1984 |
| B.E. Nelligan | Ontario | 1983 |
| Brother Augustus F. Brennan | Newfoundland | 1982 |
| Mr. Justice Emmett Hall | Saskatchewan | 1981 |
| His Eminence, G.E. Cardinal Carter | Ontario | 1980 |
| Rev. Clement Kindervater, O.M.I. | Alberta | 1979 |
| Mr. Edward J. Brisbois | Ontario | 1978 |
| Mr. Patrick J. Enright | Ontario | 1977 |
| Dr. J. Martin Le Boldus | Saskatchewan | 1976 |
| Mr. Justice James D. Higgins | Newfoundland | 1975 |