Canada’s Forest Sector Announces Awards of Excellence Recipients, Celebrating Its Best and Brightest

  |  
September 22, 2022

As National Forest Week is celebrated across the country, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) is seizing the opportunity to announce the recipients of its annual Awards of Excellence program – which recognizes the outstanding people across Canada who have made exceptional contributions to the forest sector and to forestry communities.

“The FPAC Awards of Excellence program is an opportunity to pay tribute to the remarkable people who help make our sector a world leader in sustainable forest management and who advance the many environmental, social, and economic benefits of Canadian forestry,” said FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor. “As we continue our transition to a low-carbon economy, Canada’s forest products sector is proud to honour the dedicated professionals who strengthen the benefits that sustainable forest management, forest products, and family-supporting forestry jobs provide to Canadians from coast-to-coast.”

FPAC’s 2022 Awards of Excellence recipients include:

FPAC Community Champion Award

Sponsored by TELUS

• Todd Doherty – MP for Cariboo-Prince George, British Columbia

• Clara Reinhardt – Mayor, Village of Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia

• Dale Bumstead – Mayor, City of Dawson Creek, British Columbia

• Alberta Northwest Species at Risk Committee (NWSAR)

FPAC Partnership Award

• Indigenous Resource Network (IRN), Robert Merasty – Calgary, Alberta

• United Steelworkers (USW), Jeff Bromley – Burnaby, British Columbia

FPAC Member of the Year Award

• Tom Ratz – Resolute Forest Products, Thunder Bay, Ontario

FPAC Lifetime Achievement Award

• Susan Yurkovich – Council of Forest Industries & BC Lumber Trade Council, Vancouver, British Columbia

• Mark Tamas – Tolko Industries, Coldstream, British Columbia

• Joerg Goetsch – Mercer International Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia

FPAC Rising Star Award

Sponsored by MNP

• Christa Campbell – Resolute Forest Products, Thunder Bay, Ontario

FPAC Women in Forestry Award

Sponsored by Silvacom

• Wendy Crosina – Weyerhaeuser Canadian Timberlands, Edmonton, Alberta

FPAC-Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) Indigenous Business Leadership Award

• Dave Gill – Ntityix Resources LP, West Kelowna, British Columbia

FPAC-Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM) Skills Awards for Indigenous Youth

• Neepin Cook - Misipawistik Cree Nation (Grand Rapids, Manitoba)

• Sarah Dixon - Esketemc First Nation (Alkali Lake, British Columbia)

• Jordan Germain - Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation (Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec)

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

About TELUS

TELUS is a dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with $17 billion in annual revenue and 17 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video, and security. Our social purpose is to leverage our global-leading technology and compassion to drive social change and enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty.  The numerous, sustained accolades TELUS has earned over the years from independent, industry-leading network insight firms showcase the strength and speed of TELUS’ global-leading networks, reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and information that make our lives better.

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 MNP

National in scope and local in focus, MNP is one of Canada’s leading professional services firms — proudly serving individuals, businesses, and organizations since 1958. Through the development of strong relationships, we provide client-focused accounting, consulting, tax, and digital services. Our clients benefit from personalized strategies with a local perspective to fuel success at every stage.

About Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)

FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. As an Industry with annual revenues exceeding $75B, Canada’s forest products sector is one of the country’s largest employers operating in over 600 communities, providing 225,000 direct jobs, and over 600,000 indirect jobs across the country.

For more information contact:
Kerry Patterson-Baker
Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
kpatterson-baker@fpac.ca
(613) 563-1441 x 314
Follow FPAC on X (Twitter): @FPAC_APFC
February 21, 2025
Canada’s Forest Sector Responds to Threats of U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Wood Products
Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) today responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments regarding proposed tariffs on Canadian wood products, expressing deep concern over the economic impact these measures would have on forest sector employees on both sides of the border and on American families seeking affordable housing.
Read This
February 10, 2025
Recognizing Research Excellence: Canadian Forestry Innovation Awards Program Now Accepting Applications
Now in its 4th year, the Chisholm Awards for Innovation in Forestry is celebrating the innovative spirit and leadership of young students and researchers in Canada’s forest sector.
Read This
February 1, 2025
FPAC Responds to U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Exports
FPAC issued a statement in response to President Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian products destined for the United States
Read This
December 16, 2024
FPAC Concerned With Lack of Movement on Investment Tax Credits
FPAC Concerned With Lack of Movement on Investment Tax Credits
Read This
September 21, 2020
Lisa Raitt Honoured As Community Champion By Canada's Forest Products Sector
Forest Products Association of Canada recognizes former minister Lisa Raitt's leadership in the forestry sector with Forestry Community Champion award
Read This
November 13, 2019
The Search for Canada's Greenest Workforce
Canada's forest industry is a top employer and global leader in sustainability, forest management, clean technology and innovation
Read This
March 21, 2019
Standing Tall with Canada's Forest Workers on International Day of Forests
Forest Products Association of Canada celebrates forestry communities, workers and world leading forestry management for International Day of Forests
Read This
February 20, 2019
Opinion | Workforce Diversity - Canada's Forest Sector Branches Out
Forest Products Association of Canada embraces diversity and encourages women and indigenous to join the forestry workforce
Read This
January 20, 2025
Job Posting: Director of Conservation Biology
The Director of Conservation Biology leads the charge in promoting the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of sustainable forest management.
Read This
October 1, 2024
Kevin Diep: Blog 5: End of Summer in Forestry: FPAC 2024 Green Dream Internship Program
Kevin Diep: Blog 5: End of Summer in Forestry: FPAC 2024 Green Dream Internship Program
Read This
October 1, 2024
Kevin Diep: Blog 4: Interview with Brett Erickson and Yash Shah: FPAC 2024 Green Dream Internship Program
Kevin Diep: Blog 4: Interview with Brett Erickson and Yash Shah: FPAC 2024 Green Dream Internship Program
Read This
October 1, 2024
Keegan Ashley: Blog 4: Conclusion to Summer: FPAC 2024 Green Dream Internship Program
Keegan Ashley: Blog 4: Conclusion to Summer: FPAC 2024 Green Dream Internship Program
Read This
September 20, 2023
Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Chipping Honoured with Indigenous Business Leadership Award for Exemplary Contributions to Canada's Forest Products Sector
FPAC announced that Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Chipping is being honoured with the Indigenous Business Leadership Award
Read This
September 20, 2023
Alexis Bolduc-Gagnon Receives Rising Star Award for Outstanding Contributions to Canada’s Forest Products Sector
FPAC announced Alexis Bolduc-Gagnon as the recipient of the Rising Star Award from Canada’s forest products sector
Read This
September 20, 2023
Canadian Wood Council (CWC) Receives Partnership Award for Outstanding Contributions to Canada's Forest and Wood Building Sector
FPAC announced the Canadian Wood Council (CWC) is being honoured with the Partnership Award for their extraordinary contributions to shaping the future of construction and elevating the role of wood in sustainable building practices
Read This
September 20, 2023
Bonny Skene Recognized with Outstanding Member of the Year Award by Canada's Forest Products Sector
FPAC announced that Bonny Skene is being honoured with the Outstanding Member of the Year Award for her significant contributions to sustainability and community engagement
Read This