IR Magazine
Canada Awards 2020

IR Magazine Awards – Canada
Celebration of IR Excellence

Thursday, April 2, 2020

The Ritz Carlton, Toronto, ON

About the awards

The IR Magazine Awards – Canada will take place on April 2, 2020 in Toronto.  This event honors excellence in the investor relations profession, and will be held at the Ritz Carlton. It remains the Canadian IR community’s largest annual gathering and is an evening of unforgettable celebration and networking for investor relations officers along with their senior management, advisers and analysts.

Since the annual event first launched in 1996, tens of thousands of analysts and investors have voted in the surveys behind the awards. The result: vital benchmarking information on which companies do the best IR.

Over the last two decades the awards program has expanded to recognize more aspects of investor relations, particularly the contributions of senior management, as well as to identify the best IR by sector. In addition, the research now covers the perspective of winning companies in addition to the views of analysts and investors.

We present two types of award categories – researched and nominated – both celebrating the success of those individuals and companies that are leading the way in IR across Canada. For our researched categories, companies do not submit nominations. Instead, hundreds of analysts and investors cast their votes and give their opinions on which companies do the best IR.

In our nominated categories, companies have the opportunity to nominate themselves or other publicly listed companies, free of charge, for aspects of IR that complement our researched categories. More information on the categories and how winners are chosen can be found below.

Awards by research

Our awards-by-research nominees are determined by the input of hundreds of analysts and portfolio managers, who give their opinions on which companies provide them with the best IR service in the US.

For inquiries about the research process and timeline, please contact [email protected].
Please note that the categories below are subject to change depending on the research results.

View the entire list of 2019 winners and nominees here

Best in sector: materials (small cap)

Best in sector: materials (small cap)

Best in sector: materials (mid-cap)

Best in sector: materials (mid-cap)

Best in sector: materials (large cap)

Best in sector: materials (large cap)

Best in sector: energy (small cap)

Best in sector: energy (small cap)

Best in sector: energy (mid-cap)

Best in sector: energy (mid-cap)

Best in sector: energy (large cap)

Best in sector: energy (large cap)

Best in sector: consumer discretionary & consumer staples

Best in sector: consumer discretionary & consumer staples

Best in sector: financials & real estate (small to mid-cap)

Best in sector: financials & real estate (small to mid-cap)

Best in sector: financials & real estate (large cap)

Best in sector: financials & real estate (large cap)

Best in sector: industrials

Best in sector: industrials

Best in sector: technology & communications

Best in sector: technology & communications

Best IR by a senior management team (small to mid-cap)

Best IR by a senior management team (small to mid-cap)

Best IR by a senior management team (large cap)

Best IR by a senior management team (large cap)

Best investor relations officer (small to mid-cap)

Best investor relations officer (small to mid-cap)

Best investor relations officer (large cap)

Best investor relations officer (large cap)

Best overall investor relations (small cap)

Best overall investor relations (small cap)

Best overall investor relations (mid-cap)

Best overall investor relations (mid-cap)

Best overall investor relations (large cap)

Best overall investor relations (large cap)

Best financial reporting

Best financial reporting

Best IR by a Canadian company in the US market

Best IR by a Canadian company in the US market

Best in sector: utilities

Best in sector: utilities

The first thing to explain is that our awards are different from most others: for our awards by research, companies do not submit nominations. The winners are identified by in-depth research and any publicly traded company is eligible to be considered. This survey is the only one of its kind to go directly to the investment community, via a combination of an electronic survey and one-to-one telephone interviews, canvassing the opinions of the people who matter to you most.

 June 2019: Sample selection

IR Magazine has been building investment community databases over the past 20 years. As part of the updating process, listed companies are contacted every year for details of the professionals who currently cover their stock.

July – September 2019: Electronic survey

IR Magazine then conducts an electronic survey of buy-side and sell-side analysts and portfolio managers based in Canada. The responses from this survey then go to Mary Maude Research for initial analysis. The research firm determines what will constitute a representative sample, weighted for industry sector.

September – December 2019: Telephone survey

The telephone survey then gets under way. The researchers conduct in-depth interviews with an additional 200 portfolio managers and analysts based in Canada. Many of them participate in the study year after year, but there is always a healthy proportion of new respondents each year as well. As the research progresses, the sample is adjusted to ensure appropriate weightings are maintained.

Results analysis

Once the survey stage of the research is completed, the final analysis is undertaken. The companies with the highest scores make the short lists for the awards categories, and the points are further analyzed to identify the best exponents of IR by sector. The independence of our research is crucial to the integrity of the whole awards program, so IR Magazine sees the results only once the research is complete. This ensures a transparent, independent set of results that IROs can trust as a valuable benchmarking tool.

January 2020: Shortlist compiled

IR Magazine receives the results in January and contacts the short-listed companies to give them the good news. The short list is then published to the entire IR community the month before the event.

April 2, 2020: Winners announced

And finally… on the night of the awards, the winners are announced and receive their trophies at a black-tie gala dinner event in Toronto on April 2, 2020, attended by the leading lights of Canadian investor relations.

Coming soon: Report published

Shortly after the awards, the Investor Perception Study – Canada 2020 report is published and made available to IR Magazine subscribers.

 

What attendees say

"This was my first time attending the Awards and it was a spectacular evening celebrating Canadian IROs."

CIRI

"Very classy event and great networking opportunity."

Air Canada

"It's the Oscars of the Investment Community"

Centerra Gold Inc.

"A special event to recognize the commitment and efforts of investor relations professionals in Canada. Appreciated the efforts of the team to make it a truly special night."

Canadian Tire Corp.

"Excellent! Great way to re-connect with colleagues in the industry."

Primero Mining

"This was my first experience at the Awards and I was blown away by the calibre of the entire event, including the cocktail hour, awards ceremony and "after party". "

Aecon Group

"A great opportunity to network with some of our country's finest IROs."

Avigilon

"The IR Magazine Awards Canada is the premier event of the Year - classy, fabulous venue and celebrating the very best companies and individuals in IR. It is a not to be missed event!"

LA Consulting

"A truly fantastic event and a great opportunity to network with people you may not typically encounter. "

Mason Graphite

"As a service provider, the IR Awards provide an excellent opportunity to celebrate our clients and network. I will always support the IR Awards in some capacity. "

TD Securities

Awards by nomination

For our awards-by-nomination categories, individuals and companies are given the opportunity to submit written entries, free of charge, to be put forward to a panel of expert judges made up of investment professionals and IR Magazine editorial members.

ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED

View the entire list of 2019 winners and nominees here

Best ESG reporting

Best ESG reporting

Companies face growing demands to inform investors about the risk and opportunities - they face from a range of ESG issues. Describe how your company was able to meet the demands of shareholders looking for substance in ESG reporting?

Best investor event

Best investor event

Did you hold a capital markets day, site visit or other investor event that made your company stand out from the crowd? Tell us how you came up with an original initiative, the way you managed its organization, and how your audience’s expectations were met; audience feedback is also welcome.

Best IR during a corporate transaction

Best IR during a corporate transaction

How did your IR team go above and beyond to support a recent corporate transaction? Let us know the details. We’ll be looking at the IR team’s involvement in crafting/releasing the messaging for the financial markets and how it organized outreach and dialogue to gain approval from key shareholders.

Best IR website

Best IR website

The IR website is the first point of contact for an IRO’s audience. We want to hear from companies that have developed a best-in-class website displaying top-notch customer experience, engaging content that meets analysts’ and investors’ needs, and multiplatform access.

Best use of technology & social media for IR

Best use of technology & social media for IR

Are you a tech-savvy IRO always looking out for cutting-edge technological solutions for IR? Describe the innovative ways you have incorporated video, audio, infographics or webcasts into your IR program. Judges will be looking for evidence of heightened investor and analyst engagement via these channels.

Rising star

Rising star

This award seeks to honor individuals who bring fresh thinking and a unique approach to the profession. This category is open to anyone who has been working in IR for less than five years.

The judging process is made up of three simple phases:

Phase one: The IR Magazine editorial team reviews the entries and produces the shortlist.

Phase two: The shortlisted entries are shared with an independent judging panel of industry experts. The judges review each shortlisted entry and select their top two picks.

Phase three: The judges come together for a discussion to select the winners.

The judges’ votes are not made public, but their comments may be published in articles or reports after the event

Who attends?

Attendees at this year’s event are leading IR practitioners from across Canada. Each participant is someone with an established track record and a strategic IR role within his or her company.

Attendees in 2019 included:

Job Title Attendee Company Job Title Attendee Company
Account Executive Broadridge Investor Relations Shopify
Account Manager DFIN Investor Relations WSP
Analyst, Investor Relations CN Junior Analyst, Investor Relations BMO Financial Group
Analyst, Investor Relations Fortis Manager TD Bank Group
Associate Norton Rose Fulbright Manager, Investor Relations Largo Resources
Associate, Investor Relations Cineplex Manager, Corporate Development Denison Mines
Associate, Investor Relations Element Fleet Mgmt Manager, Finance Brookfield Asset Mgmt
AVP, Finance TD Bank Group Manager, Investor Relations BMO Financial Group
AVP, Investor Relations TD Bank Group Manager, Investor Relations BMO Financial Group
AVP, Legal TD Bank Group Manager, Investor Relations BMO Financial Group
AVP, TBSM TD Bank Group Managing Counsel, Commercial Rogers Communications
Business Development, Strategic IR Cision Managing Director Shorescrest Group
CEO, Executive Producer BTV Managing Director Rose & Company
CFO Cineplex Managing Director Rose & Company
CFO Metro Managing Director, IR and Strategy TSX
Chief Sustainability Officer BMO Financial Group National Agency Consultant Cision
Client Success Manager West DMS Partner Longview
Co-Chair, Capital Markets and M&A McMillan Partner Osler
Communications Team Lead Crescent Point Energy President Craib
Consultant LodeRock Advisors President & CEO AST
Corporate Development CannaRoyalty President & CEO CIRI
Corporate Development Newsfile President WDMS West DMS
Corporate Director, FP&A Agnico Eagle Mines Principal Vincic Advisors
Director Energy and Mines Principal WIN Expertise
Director Sherritt International Regional Vice President AST
Director Newsfile Sales Director DFIN
Director Canadian Sales West DMS Senior Analyst TD Bank Group
Director, Investor Relations Magna International Senior Analyst, Corporate Finance Gibson Energy
Director, Corporate Access Scotiabank Senior Analyst, Corporate Finance Gibson Energy
Director, Investor Relations Agnico Eagle Mines Senior Director, Sales Broadridge
Director, Investor Relations BMO Financial Group Senior Manager TD Bank Group
Director, Investor Relations Fortis Senior Manager Investor Relations CN
Director, Investor Relations Onex Corporation Senior Manager Investor Relations Cineplex
Director, Investor Relations Bombardier Senior Manager, Corporate Development TSX
Director, Investor Relations Hydro One Senior Manager, Investor Relations BMO Financial Group
Director, Investor Relations Electrovaya Senior Sales Analyst West DMS
Director, Marketing & Communications Kingsdale Advisors Senior Sales Analyst West DMS
Director, Regulatory & Industry Affairs Computershare SVP, Business Development Corbin Advisors
Director, Shareholder Services Sun Life Financial SVP, Corporate Services OTC Markets
Director, Strategic Investor Relations Cision SVP, Corporate Services OTC Markets
EVP, Communication Strategy Kingsdale Advisors SVP, Finance & CFO Agnico Eagle Mines
EVP, D.F.King AST SVP, Investor Relations & Corporate Kinross Gold
Executive Assistant BMO Financial Group Treasurer & IRO Dollarama
Executive Assistant, Investor Relations Cineplex Vice President (VP) Corbin Advisors
Founder & CEO Rose & Company Vice President (VP) DFIN
Global Chair; Canadian Chair Norton Rose Fulbright VP & Chief Financial Officer Kelt Exploration
Global Head, Client Success TMX VP, Finance BlackBerry
Head, ESG Reporting TD Bank Group VP, Investor Relations Centerra Gold
Head, Investor Relations TD Bank Group VP, Investor Relations Fortis
Head, Company Services TMX Vice President, Strategy TMX
Head, Investor, Government Relations BMO Financial Group VP, Finance Agnico Eagle Mines
Investor Relations CannaRoyalty VP Canada Marubeni Corporation
Investor Relations Teranga Gold VP, Investor Relations CN
Investor Relations Centerra Gold VP, Marketing & IR Blockstation
Investor Relations Enbridge VP, Business Development AST
Associate, Investor Relations Detour Gold VP, Investor Relations Agnico Eagle Mines
Investor Relations Agnico Eagle Mines VP, Investor Relations Detour Gold
Investor Relations BMO Financial Group VP, Investor Relations Bombardier
Manager, Investor Relations Air Canada VP, Investor Relations Green Organic Dutchman
Investor Relations Canopy Rivers VP, Operations Kingsdale Advisors
Investor Relations Shopify VP, Strategy & Investor Relations Endeavor Mining
Investor Relations TD Bank Group VP, Strategy, Planning & IR Gibson Energy

On the night

Master of ceremonies

We’re pleased to have Taylor Thoen as our master of ceremonies! Taylor has spent the last 30 years as an entrepreneur, owning and investing in successful ventures in numerous industries.

Taylor is the founder and Host of the longest running investment TV show in Canada, BTV -Business Television, broadcast on BNN Bloomberg, BIZ TV, Air Canada, Thomson Reuters and 12+ other financial sites. Through BTV and CEO Clips. Taylor has interviewed more than 2,000 dynamic CEOs, entrepreneurs and business leaders giving her an unprecedented business perspective and insight to strategic business dealings.

Taylor is the recipient of numerous awards including Canada’s Top 25 Female Entrepreneur, Profit 100 Canada’s Fastest Growing Company Award and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year nominee.

Venue and Accommodation

Venue:
We’re pleased to hosting this year’s awards at The Ritz Carlton!

The Ritz Carlton
181 Wellington St W
Toronto, ON M5V 3G7

Dress code
Black tie

Accommodation offer:
The Ritz Carlton is the official hotel of the IR Magazine Awards – Canada!  Availability of guestrooms is on a first come, first served basis. Please call the reservations department on 1-800-542-8680 and mention IR Magazine Awards – Canada!

To view a virtual map of nearby hotels or book a room, please click here

 

Partnership Opportunities

Our awards provides a unique opportunity to get in front of some of the most influential people in North-America. As a partner, you will gain an extensive amount of exposure through a wide range of marketing materials, both pre and post event, as well as on the day itself. Additionally, you can use the event to align yourself with IR excellence and network with key decision makers from across the region.

Being a partner will provide:

  • A chance to network with qualified, senior decision-makers in the IR community
  • Increased awareness and credibility through association with the region’s leading awards
  • New business opportunities through higher-brand presence among current and potential clients
  • The chance to entertain clients at the most respected event of the year
  • Exposure as the market leader in your chosen area by partnering with the categories that best reflect your area of expertise

To find out more about the benefits of partnering and the various packages available, email Ian Richman or call on +1 212 430 6865.

Inquire about partnership

Our Partners

Book your place

Sign up for the complete experience below. You will have full access to the welcome drinks reception, the glamorous dinner, the prestigious awards ceremony and the fun-filled after party!

Please note that these are our early-bird prices and any bookings made after February 21, 2020 will be charged at the standard rate. The prices are in CAD and are subject to a HST 13%. If you have any questions, please contact Priscilla Lim at [email protected] or +44 20 8004 4989

Contact us

Privacy Policy

IR Media Group (USA) Inc, the owner of IR Magazine, Corporate Secretary and IRspace, respect the privacy of every person who visits, registers with or subscribes to our websites and online publications, and is committed to ensuring a safe online experience. This privacy statement applies to all IR Media Group’s websites as listed under the heading ‘Sites’ and outlines the information IR Media Group may collect and how we may use that information. It also explains what we do with information about you when you register to attend one of our events.
To view our privacy policy in full, please click here.