Toronto Celebrates Excellence in Canadian Business Leadership

June 8, 2026

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On June 4, business leaders from across Canada gathered at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto for an evening of connection, celebration and recognition as part of the 2026 Canadian Business Leader Awards Dinner Series.

Together, attendees paid tribute to two remarkable Canadian business leaders whose vision, dedication and impact have helped shape their industries and strengthen Canada’s business community.

This year’s Toronto honourees included:

John Graham

President and CEO of CPP Investments, recipient of the Canadian Business Leader of the Year Award, recognized for his leadership in stewarding one of the world’s largest pension investment organizations and helping position Canada as a global leader in long-term investment strategy.

Linda Hasenfratz

Executive Chair of Linamar Corporation, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, honoured for her decades of leadership in Canadian manufacturing, innovation and global business growth, as well as her continued commitment to advancing Canada’s industrial competitiveness.

Throughout the evening, guests reflected on the importance of strong and forward-looking leadership during a pivotal moment for Canada’s economy. Conversations centred on resilience, innovation and the role Canadian businesses continue to play in strengthening the country’s competitiveness both at home and abroad.

Our President and CEO, Candace Laing, delivered opening remarks, welcoming guests and highlighting the importance of recognizing leaders whose work continues to inspire progress across Canada’s business community.

Remarks from both honourees emphasized the value of investing in people, embracing innovation and creating opportunities for future generations of Canadian business leaders. Their reflections reinforced a shared sense of optimism about Canada’s economic future and the importance of bold, long-term leadership.

The evening also featured entertainment from the Supersonic Hearts Band, a talented local group that has become a beloved fixture of the Toronto awards dinner over the years, helping bring energy and celebration to the evening.

The event provided an opportunity for leaders from across sectors to connect and celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s recipients alongside colleagues, partners and members of the Canadian business community.

We would like to extend a special thank you to The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto and all of our event sponsors for their support in making the evening possible.