June 2008 IssuE
Newsmakers
Suncor Partnership Nets Imagine Canada Award
COMPILED BY FRANCINE MAXWELL
The PEGG
Buying lakefront property has earned an oilsands giant and a non-profit conservation group some green. Green attention and recognition, that is, in the form of a business and community partnership award.
The Boreal Habitat Conservation Initiative, a collaboration of Suncor Energy Foundation and the Alberta Conservation Association, received the award from Imagine Canada. It’s presented to partnerships between business and non-profit organizations that find innovative ways to support Canadian communities.
It all began with the purchase of 470 acres of lakeshore and upland property in the Winagami Lake area in 2003. The project grew to include more than 1,750 acres of habitat in Alberta. Among the areas it protects is a Lesser Slave Lake rookery for great blue herons.
Imagine Canada was launched in 2005 with the amalgamation of the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy and the Coalition of National Voluntary Organizations. The national registered charity manages the awards, which were created in 1996.
A Little Respect
Given to Bridges
“…the work, which is likely to be our most durable monument…is a work of bare utility; not a shrine, not a fortress, not a palace, but a bridge.”
-Montgomery Schuler, 1883
That’s a sentiment Kris Lima, P.Eng., agrees with. The master’s student at the University of Alberta has won a Cohos Evamy IRIS Prize, awarded by the company’s integrated design team. In his submission, titled The Urban Landscape: Bridging the Gap Between Engineering and Architecture, Mr. Lima praises bridges as key components of urban design and development.
Cohos Evamy architectural partner Donna Clare said that bridges have had great impact on the urban landscape. Many are signature landmarks and show a commitment to sustainable development. Mr. Lima’s understanding of their importance put his submission into the top spot.
The IRIS Prize was established in 2005 to encourage and support design and technical excellence and to recognize the important role design plays in communities. The prize provides financial support to successful candidates to undertake a research project based on the practice of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, interior design and planning.
Native Program
At Imperial Oil Recognized
Imperial Oil has received a provincial award that recognizes its Native
Internship Program, a partnership with First Nations and Métis com-munities. Under the program, internships of up to two years each provide on-the-job training for Aboriginals, with participants gaining technical experience in field or plant operations.
The Rewarding Partnership Award was presented by Alberta Ministry of International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations, and the Alberta Chamber of Resources. The award falls under the Rewarding Partnerships Program, which celebrates companies and their Aboriginal partners for enhancing Aboriginal businesses and communities.
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PARTNERING SUCCESS |
Stantec Boss
Takes Home
National Award
About 1,000 people came out to honour Stantec’s Tony Franceschini, P.Eng., as the Alberta School of Business presented him the Canadian Business Leader Award.
Distinguished guests and speakers at the Shaw Centre in Edmonton included Premier Ed Stelmach, Mayor Stephen Mandel, University of Alberta President Indira Samaraskera and U of A Business School Dean Mike Percy.
Mr. Franceschini, who will retire as CEO of Stantec next spring, keeps some impressive company by winning this award. Last year’s recipient was Dominic D’Alessandro, the president and CEO of Manulife.
In 2007, Mr. Franceschini received the top CEO award from Canadian Business magazine.
Where Best to Work
Alberta has some of the best places in Canada to work, says the Great Place To Work Institute of Canada. In a recent listing published in April, three APEGGA permit holders were named for having been voted into the top 50 places in Canada to work. They are, from highest rating down, iTRANS Consulting Inc., Urban Systems Ltd. and Halsall Associates Limited.
Along the same lines, 25 Canadian companies were recently recognized as the best workplaces based on workplace diversity. Launched by the Bank of Montreal, Mediacorp Canada Inc. and TWI Inc., the award goes to companies that create diverse and inclusive workplaces. On the list are Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc., Enbridge Inc., Intuit Canada Limited and Suncor Energy Inc.
Permit Holder
Hits Grand SAM
Pals Surveys & Associates Ltd. took home a Grand SAM from the Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s annual gala. SAM awards are presented to members whose companies were tops in sales and marketing, outstanding products and superior home building.
Pals won in the category of general member of the year.
Safety First
Logging more than three million hours of accident-free work has garnered Ledcor Group of Companies the Canadian Construction Association’s National Safety Award.
Under Ledcor policy, the company tailors a safety program specific to any new project it takes on. At Suncor’s expansion project, Ledcor has logged over one million accident-free hours. And at the Long Lake Opti Nexen Project, two million more hours have been added to the total.
Who’s Moved Where
John Duhault, P.Geoph., of Calgary has been promoted to vice-president of exploration for Eagle Rock Exploration Ltd. Most recently, Mr. Duhault was the president and CEO of Dragonheart Resources Ltd., acquired by Eagle Rock in December 2007.
Chris Yellowega, P.Eng., of Airdrie has been appointed vice-president of major mining developments for North American Energy Partners Inc. Mr. Yellowega was most recently the vice-president of upstream operations for Synenco Energy Inc.
Larry Ness, P.Eng., of Calgary has joined the management of Petro-Reef Resources Ltd. as vice-president of engineering. Mr. Ness brings with him over 30 years of experience in oil and gas, and was most recently with Provident Energy Trust.
David Urquhart, P.Eng., of Calgary has been appointed to the board of directors for Houston-based Mainland Resources Inc. Mr. Uquhart has more than 35 years of engineering, management and executive experience.
Dan R. Tomie, P.Eng., has been appointed as executive vice-president of Edmonton-based Focus Corporation. Mr. Tomie was most recently vice-president and regional leader in Sacramento, Calif., for a Canada-based multi-disciplinary engineering and architectural firm.