A Laval crossing guard has been honoured for her dedication to her job and love for the kids she keeps safe.
Monique Tremblay works outside Terry Fox Elementary School and on Tuesday was named one of the best at her job in the country.
She was nominated for the honour by those she protects every day.
"They were extremely ecstatic that they got to acknowledge her for her great work," Kristina Neil, a teacher at the school told CTV Montreal.
Terry Fox Elementary Principal Serge-Édouard Jeanniton said Tremblay is in a league of her own, knowing every child's name and would not hesitate to put herself in the line of danger to protect them.
"I think that we underestimate the value of crossing guards here in Quebec or across Canada," he said.
"We take it for granted that this is their job, but it has to be a passion. So when you're passionate about the kids, when you're passionate about the safety of the kids and that you have a pure love for them, I think it makes the job much easier for them to do."
The school invited her inside present her with the crystal Maple Leaf award and a $500 prize, courtesy of the non-profit group Parachute.
For her part Tremblay said she was grateful for the award, but was touched more by the artwork given to her by the students.
"It's an honour, the smiles the children give me every day make my day," she said Tremblay.
The other two Canadian crossing guard winners were David Innes of St. John's, Nfld. and Sheryl Hauraney of Port Hope, Ont.