Events
Canadian Business Leader Awards
A celebration of those who have made a lasting impact on the Canadian business community.
Our Canadian Business Leader Lifetime Achievement Award and Canadian Business Leader of the Year Awards were established to celebrate and recognize Canadian business executives at the top of their fields who have distinguished themselves through stellar corporate leadership and meaningful contributions to their communities.
The 2026 Canadian Business Awards were celebrated in four major cities across the country, honouring visionary leaders who exemplified excellence in their industries and beyond. Learn more about the honourees in each city below:
May 21, 2026 | St. James Theatre | Montreal, QC
Canadian Business Leader of the Year
Janie Béïque
President and CEO, Fonds de solidarité FTQ
The first woman to be appointed President and CEO of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Janie C. Béïque focuses her actions on three main themes: sustainable development, retirement planning and what she likes to call “societal returns.” A lawyer by training, she has worked in business and corporate law and in the investment industry.
Read More
Janie’s expertise has been recognized by her peers as well as by the business and political communities. She has twice been named as an Innovation Leader by the Government of Canada. Holder of a law degree from Université de Montréal, Janie was called to the Québec Bar in 1991 and is entered on the Roll of the Order of Advocates. In 2015, she earned an MBA from Georgetown University in the U.S. and from ESADE University in Spain. Janie is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and sits on the boards of Groupe CH, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. She was co-chair of the 50th Centraide of Greater Montréal fundraising campaign.
Lifetime Achievement
Jacynthe Côté
Chair of the Board, Royal Bank of Canada
Jacynthe Côté grew up on a farm in a small village in northern Québec and studied Chemistry at Laval University. While Jacynthe was attracted to scientific study, she benefited most from learning how to learn. “Throughout my career, it has provided me with the courage to challenge prevailing truths and the humility to never stop looking for ways to grow and develop.”
Read More
In 2009, Jacynthe was appointed CEO of Rio Tinto Alcan, a fully integrated bauxite-to smelting operations with 24,000 employees in 30 countries. That same year, aluminum demand and prices collapsed. Jacynthe initiated a massive transformation by closing and curtailing production, while re-investing over $7B in building more productive plants. These efforts enabled the company to operate in the lowest quartile of the industry cost curve, making the business profitable in good and bad days. Combined with strong innovation programs, the portfolio also generated the lowest carbon footprint in the industry.
In 2009, Jacynthe was appointed CEO of Rio Tinto Alcan, a fully integrated bauxite-to smelting operations with 24,000 employees in 30 countries. That same year, aluminum demand and prices collapsed. Jacynthe initiated a massive transformation by closing and curtailing production, while re-investing over $7B in building more productive plants. These efforts enabled the company to operate in the lowest quartile of the industry cost curve, making the business profitable in good and bad days. Combined with strong innovation programs, the portfolio also generated the lowest carbon footprint in the industry.
In 2009, Jacynthe was appointed CEO of Rio Tinto Alcan, a fully integrated bauxite-to smelting operations with 24,000 employees in 30 countries. That same year, aluminum demand and prices collapsed. Jacynthe initiated a massive transformation by closing and curtailing production, while re-investing over $7B in building more productive plants. These efforts enabled the company to operate in the lowest quartile of the industry cost curve, making the business profitable in good and bad days. Combined with strong innovation programs, the portfolio also generated the lowest carbon footprint in the industry.
NEW International Business Leader of the Year
Alain Bouchard
Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board, Alimentation Couche-Tard
Alain Bouchard is a born entrepreneur and a reference in the retail industry. He has served as the Executive Chairman of Alimentation Couche-Tard since 2014, when he stepped down after 25 years as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Read More
Mr. Bouchard opened his first convenience store in Québec in 1980 and founded the companies that grew into Alimentation Couche-Tard. He has over 50 years of experience in the retail industry and worked with his closest collaborators and all staff members to build Alimentation Couche-Tard into the business it is today, a global leader in convenience and mobility, in 29 countries and territories, with close to 17,300 stores and more than 149,500 employees. He has also been a member of the Board of Directors of Quebecor from 1997 to 2009 and the Board of Directors of CGI from 2013 to 2023.
Mr. Bouchard is a Member of the Order of Canada and an Officer of the Ordre national du Québec. He also has an honorary doctorate in Consumer Sciences from Université Laval in Québec City and an honorary doctorate in Laws from McGill University in Montréal. He has received many distinguished awards for business excellence and his outstanding professional achievements. He is a Companion of the Order of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame, a Member of the Cercle des Grands entrepreneurs du Québec, Grand bâtisseur de l’économie du Québec (Institute for governance). He was named Outstanding industry leader of the year (NACDA) in 2008, Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the year in 2013 and NACS Insight International Convenience Leader of the year in 2014. He has also received the T. Patrick Boyle Founder’s Award (Fraser Institute) in 2014, to name a few.
Mr. Bouchard has been involved in several fundraising campaigns and philanthropic activities. He and his wife established the Sandra and Alain Bouchard Foundation in 2012, which supports various causes associated with people living with intellectual disabilities as well as artistic and cultural projects. In 2015, they were named Exceptional philanthropist of the year by the Québec Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and they both hold an honorary doctorate from Concordia University in Montréal for their leading role in philanthropy in Québec.
Contact
For more information, please contact Anick DeSousa, Senior Director, Member Relations at adesousa@chamber.ca or 613.238.4000 (2239).
June 4, 2026 | The Ritz-Carlton | Toronto, ON
Canadian Business Leader of the Year
John Graham
President and CEO, CPPIB
John was appointed President & CEO of CPP Investments in February 2021. He is responsible for leading the organization on its critical mission: to help ensure a strong foundation of financial security in retirement for millions of Canadians. The CPP Fund has over C$714 billion in assets under management and is projected to reach C$3 trillion by 2050.
Read More
John’s experience at CPP Investments has spanned the globe, having worked in our Toronto, London and Hong Kong offices. In 2008, he joined the Total Portfolio Management group (now Total Fund Management) before transitioning to Private Investments. He went on to become Managing Director and Global Head of Principal Credit Investments in 2015 and was subsequently appointed Senior Managing Director & Global Head of Credit Investments in 2018. Under his leadership, Credit Investments has grown its exposure globally and developed expertise across the entire credit spectrum.
John champions the delivery of superior investment returns on behalf of generations of Canadians. He has been instrumental in shaping CPP Investments into an organization defined by growth, high performance and a spirit of collaboration. In addition to sitting at the helm of CPP Investments, John has served on the board of FCLTGlobal since 2021 and has been Chair since September 1, 2024.
John holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. He is a CFA charter holder, is the inventor on 36 patents and has published 16 peer-reviewed journal articles. Before joining CPP Investments, he worked as a research scientist, spending nine years at Xerox Innovation Group in research and strategy roles. John also serves on the board of SickKids, Canada’s most research-intensive hospital and the largest centre dedicated to improving children’s health.
Lifetime Achievement
Linda Hasenfratz
Executive Chair, Linamar
Linda Hasenfratz has made significant strides at Linamar Corporation both as CEO and now as Executive Chair. Under her leadership, Linamar has maintained its position as a global, diversified manufacturing powerhouse, focusing on the automotive, access equipment, and harvesting equipment markets.
Read More
Her tenure has been marked by strategic initiatives aimed at growing the business globally, diversifying its markets and products, driving sustainability at every level and enhancing the company’s operational efficiency.
In addition to her responsibilities at Linamar, Hasenfratz has played a pivotal role in various influential organizations. Her leadership and contributions have been recognized through various accolades and appointments.
She has been a member of the Board of Advisors for Catalyst Canada since 2003 and currently serves as the Chair. Her commitment to advancing women in business has been a lifelong pursuit, from grass roots initiatives to attract more women into STEM and leadership roles to more formal roles such as acting as the Canadian Chair of the Canada-United States Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders in 2017.
Hasenfratz’s influence extends beyond the corporate world into significant advisory roles. She currently sits on the Prime Minister of Canada’s Council on Canada-US Relations. She also was a member of Minister Freeland’s NAFTA Advisory Council during the NAFTA renegotiations in 2018 and served as Chair of the North American Competitiveness Council in 2008, showcasing her expertise in international trade and economic policy.
Hasenfratz’s dedication to excellence and her impact on the business community have earned her numerous honors. She was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Canada in 2014, inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2016, named Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year in 2018 and was inducted into the Order of Canada that same year. She has been similarly recognized in both France with the honour of Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur, and in Hungary with the honour of the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit. Her term as the 23rd Chancellor of the University of Western Ontario concluded in June 2023, capping off a period of significant contributions to both the academic and business worlds.
Contact
For more information on how to attend, please contact Lianne Cheng, Director, Member Relations at lcheng@chamber.ca or 416.868.6415 (3239).
September 17, 2026 | Hyatt Regency | Calgary, AB
Canadian Business Leader of the Year
François Poirier
President and CEO, TC Energy
Since 2021, François has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Energy. He has exemplified the next generation of corporate leadership by positioning TC Energy at the forefront of North America’s energy future.
Read More
François has been advocating in North America, calling for greater energy integration, pragmatic policy reform and cross-border collaboration. He has consistently championed the idea that a strong continent begins with strong individual nations—a message he has reinforced through trilateral engagement, participation in key energy forums and by signing the Build Canada Now letter. This joint initiative, backed by over 90 energy companies, advocates for urgent regulatory and policy reforms to unlock Canada’s energy potential and strengthen its economic sovereignty.
Under François’ stewardship, TC Energy has expanded its infrastructure footprint across North America and maintained strong returns for shareholders. As CEO, François has overseen the successful spin-off of the company’s Liquids Pipelines division, a corporate-wide integration of the natural gas business across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, and the completion of two nation-building mega projects: the Coastal GasLink and Southeast Gateway pipeline projects.
Before joining TC Energy, François spent 25 years in investment banking, consulting and as a Corporate Director. François currently serves as an Independent Director of CIBC, along with the Business Council of Canada and the American Petroleum Institute.
François’ leadership extends beyond corporate achievements—he has redefined how Canadian businesses engage with the communities where they operate, championing initiatives that drive lasting social and economic impact. He established TC Energy’s Indigenous Advisory Council and led the rollout of company-wide Indigenous awareness training. From embedding a philosophy of ‘hire and buy local’ into TC Energy’s corporate DNA and serving as co-chair of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games 2024, François has mobilized resources to support grassroots initiatives and strengthen communities.
François is a visionary leader who has led with integrity to shape the future of energy. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Operations Research from the University of Ottawa.
Lifetime Achievement
Dave Werklund
Founder and Executive Chair, Werklund Ventures
Dave began his career as a drilling hand when he was just a teenager. Then, in 1965 he began working at Shell Canada where he recognized the need to address environmental and waste management issues in the oil and gas industry.
Read More
In 1970 he founded Dave’s Oilfield Services followed by co-founding Concord Well Servicing in 1979 which he grew to be the second largest well service company in Canada. In 1984, he founded Canadian Crude Separators (CCS). In 2012, CCS along with Hazco, Concord, Beck, HMI, Prodrill and seven others were rebranded to Tervita Corporation, a privately-held company with $5+ billion in revenues and over 4,600 personnel.
An entrepreneur at heart, Dave started Werklund Ventures Ltd. to invest in private innovative companies. He is Founder and Chairman of Amity Lodges, the Chairman of Pure Environmental LLP and Intelligent Wellhead Systems as well as a board member (Former Chair) of RS Technologies Inc.
Dave’s success is punctuated by numerous accolades. Among his many honours, he has been recognized as a member of the Order of Canada, member of the Alberta Order of Excellence, Queen Elizabeth the II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, The King Charles Coronation Medal, as well as being inducted into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame and the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame. He is also a past recipient of Canada’s Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Canada.
Dave has also strived to enrich the lives of others through his invaluable philanthropic contributions to individuals, organizations and to his community through the Werklund Foundation and his own private donations. The Werklund Agricultural Technology Centre at Olds College, and the Werklund School of Education at the U of C and most recently, the Werklund Centre Transformation project (formerly Arts Commons) are just a few examples of Dave’s philanthropic commitments.
In his personal life, Dave delights in time spent with family, and entertaining family and friends at his summer retreat at Shuswap Lake in British Columbia, Canada. He is a classic car enthusiast, and also takes great pleasure in traveling the world.
Contact
For more information on how to attend, please contact Kimberly Gale, Vice President, Member Relations at kgale@chamber.ca or 403.271.0595.
October 15, 2026 | Westin Bayshore | Vancouver, BC
Canadian Business Leader of the Year
Amar Doman
Founder, Futura Corporation
Amar S. Doman is founder, sole shareholder & President, and CEO of The Futura Corporation, one of British Columbia’s largest privately owned companies.
Read More
Amar was born into the forest products industry in BC and purchased his first lumber remanufacturing plant at the age of 18. After acquiring a succession of specialty lumber plants, Amar bought CanWel Building Materials in 1999 from sawmill operators Canfor and Weldwood. CanWel which Amar took public in 2004, has been renamed Doman Building Materials, is now one of North America’s largest producers of pressure treated lumber and distributor of large scale building materials. Amar remains the largest and controlling shareholder of Doman Building Materials Group and is the company’s Chairman and CEO.
Mr. Doman is also the largest and controlling shareholder and Executive Chairman of Tree Island Steel. Headquartered in Richmond B.C., Tree Island is a North American manufacturer and supplier of premium quality nails, steel wire and wire products used in industrial, commercial, residential construction and the agricultural industry.
Amar is the owner of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and is a proud supporter of the CFL.
As the President and CEO of his privately held The Futura Corporation, Mr. Doman invests, owns and operates various enterprises including real estate. Futura now has under its ownership and control a total of over 3,500 employees and revenues that eclipsed $3 billion in 2024. A passionate British Columbian, Amar is former director on the national board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, is an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner in the (West) Business category, on the UBC and VGH Foundation Board, Member of the Horatio Alger Association of Canada, and has served as a director of a number of industry related associations. A noted philanthropist, Amar is also a partner and mentor to the Boys Club, British Columbian entrepreneurs, has guest lectured on business topics on Vancouver campuses and donates his time to the local charities that he supports. Born in Victoria, Amar lives in West Vancouver is married and has three young children.
Lifetime Achievement
Jim Pattison
Founder, Jim Pattison Group
Jim Pattison is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and sole owner of The Jim Pattison Group. The Jim Pattison Group is Canada’s largest privately held company. The Jim Pattison Group has 59,000 employees worldwide, annual sales of $19 billion and operations in over 800 locations.
Read More
With activities in Canada, the US and several other countries in the world, The Jim Pattison Group is involved in a wide variety of industries including Food Services, Packaging, Distribution, Manufacturing, Communications, Entertainment, Transportation, Agricultural Equipment, Forest Products, Export Services and Real Estate.
The Jim Pattison Group began on May 8, 1961 when Mr. Pattison purchased a General Motors automobile dealership by borrowing $40,000 from the Royal Bank of Canada and placing his home and life insurance policies with the Bank as collateral.
Jim Pattison was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and moved with his parents from Saskatoon to Vancouver in 1935. He has lived in Vancouver ever since. While attending the University of British Columbia, Mr. Pattison paid his tuition and expenses by washing cars at a used car lot, and by selling cars to fellow students.
Jim Pattison has served as a Director on a number of public company Boards on both the New York and Toronto exchanges and served as a Trustee on the Board of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. He held the unpaid position of Chairman, President and CEO of Expo ’86, a world-class Exposition held in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1986.
Mr. Pattison was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1987 and the Order of British Columbia in 1990. He is also the recipient of the Governor General’s Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canada. Mr. Pattison is an inductee of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame and the Canadian Professional Sales Association Hall of Fame. He was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year – Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000, and the Young Presidents Organization Canadian Icon Award in 2007. In April 2012, by Command of Her Majesty the Queen, Mr. Pattison received the Diamond Jubilee Medal commemorating her sixtieth anniversary. In June of 2014, he was given the Freedom of the City Award from the City of Vancouver. In June of 2018, Mr. Pattison was awarded the UBC Presidents Award Medal and in December of the same year, he was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, presented to him by Paul Anka and Warren Buffett. In May of 2020, Mr. Pattison received the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Gustavson School of Business University of Victoria award, presented by Peter Gustavson in July 2021. In June of 2024, Mr. Pattison received the Fraser Institute’s Founders Award and most recently was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Mr. Pattison and his wife Mary were married for 73 years, prior to her passing. He and his wife had three children.
Contact
For more information on how to attend, please contact Charlotte Fulchiron, Director, Member Relations at cfulchiron@chamber.ca or 514.868.6415 (2361).
Thank You to Our Partner
2025 Recipients
Vancouver
Toronto
Calgary
Montreal
International Business Leader of the Year
Other Events
Future of Business Summit
Mission to Mexico City on CUSMA
