Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) Announces 2023 Awards of Excellence Winners

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September 20, 2023

As National Forest Week is celebrated across the country, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) is pleased to announce the winners of its annual Awards of Excellence program. The 2023 program is sponsored by Silvacom and Abacus Data, and recognizes outstanding individuals, organizations, and partnerships that exemplify innovation, sustainability, and leadership in sustainable Canadian forestry.

“The FPAC Awards of Excellence program is our way of paying tribute to the exceptional people who are making a difference in forestry communities across Canada,” said Derek Nighbor, FPAC President and CEO.

“Given how devastating this year’s wildfire season has been for so many Canadians, including thousands of our forestry workers and their families, this year’s program is extra special. It is an opportunity to not only recognize these dedicated people and organizations, but also to remind Canadians of the important role that active forest management plays in reducing carbon emissions, keeping communities safer from fire, and creating and sustaining hundreds of thousands of family-supporting jobs in hundreds of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across the country,” he added.

FPAC’s 2023 Awards of Excellence recipients include:  

Jim Carr Forest Community Champion Award:

Nova Scotia Senator Colin Deacon and Shuniah, Ontario Mayor Wendy Landry

Partnership Award:

Canadian Wood Council (CWC)

Member of the Year Award:

Bonny Skene

Regional Public Affairs Manager

Domtar Inc.

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Bob Fleet

Vice President, Environment & Forestry (Retired)

Tolko Industries Ltd.

Women in Forestry Award:

Kari Stuart-Smith

Manager, Biodiversity and Wildlife

Canfor Corporation

Rising Star Award:

Alexis Bolduc-Gagnon

Superintendent, Health and Safety

Resolute Forest Products

Skills Awards for Indigenous Youth:

Makué Vollant

Member of the Atikamekw de Manawan

Forestry Technology Student at Cégep de Sainte-Foy

Catherine Langille

Member of Seine River First Nation

Indigenous Environmental Science & Studies Student at Trent University

Indigenous Business Leadership Award:

Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Chipping (LMG Chipping)

To learn more about FPAC’s Awards of Excellence recipients, please visit: https://www.fpac.ca/

About Silvacom

Established in 1983, Silvacom™ is a leading natural resource management company providing professional services to private and public sector organizations. We’re passionate about working collaboratively and creatively with our clients and partners to solve complex natural resource management challenges in the most efficient and cost-effective way. We have over 120 staff working in areas of environmental management, forest management, GIS, remote sensing, and geospatial application development. We have been named one of Canada's Top 100 Small and Medium Employers (SMEs) since 2016 and one of Alberta’s Top Employers since 2017. Learn more at www.silvacom.com.

About Abacus Data

Abacus Data is an innovative, fast-growing public opinion and marketing research consultancy. We use the latest technology, sound science, and deep experience to generate top-flight research-based advice to our clients. We offer global research capacity with a strong focus on customer service, attention to detail, and exceptional value. We were one of the most accurate pollsters conducting research during the 2021 Canadian election following up on our outstanding record in 2019. Learn more at www.abacusdata.ca.

About Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)

FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, paper, and wood-based bioproducts producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. As an industry with annual revenues exceeding $73B, Canada’s forest products sector is one of the country’s largest employers operating in hundreds of communities, providing 205,000 direct jobs, and over 415,000 indirect jobs across the country. FPAC and its members are committed to collaborating with Indigenous leaders, federal and provincial governments, labour partners, community groups, and other rightsholders and stakeholders to secure and advance the sector’s environmental, social, and economic potential for the long-term.

For more information contact:
Kerry Patterson-Baker
Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
kpatterson-baker@fpac.ca
(613) 563-1441 x 314
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