PotashCorp big winner at Corporate Reporting Awards presented by Canada's CAs

TORONTO, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - PotashCorp was a multiple winner at the Corporate Reporting Awards presented today in Toronto by the Chartered Accountants of Canada.

PotashCorp captured five awards, including the Overall Award of Excellence.

The program has recognized excellence in financial and corporate reporting in Canada for more than 50 years. The awards are presented annually and reflect the CA profession's commitment to enhancing the quality of financial reporting.

"PotashCorp clearly caught the attention of the judges," said Kevin Dancey, FCA, President and CEO, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA). "Congratulations to the company for such a strong showing."

PotashCorp also won awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Excellence in Electronic Disclosure and an Award of Excellence for the mining sector. In addition, the company collected an Honourable Mention in Sustainable Development Reporting.

"Our focus on all aspects of corporate reporting helps enhance our accountability and further protect the interests of the stakeholders who are essential to our long-term success," said Denita Stann, Senior Director of Investor Relations, PotashCorp. "It is always an honour to be recognized by the judges and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants."

TD Bank Financial Group and Nexen Inc. were the other multiple winners, collecting industry and judging category awards. In total, 20 awards and honourable mentions were presented. This also marked the third year that the program featured award categories for large and small federal Crown corporations.

"With today's challenging economy, clarity in corporate reporting is more important than ever," said Dancey. "Corporate Canada is facing extensive scrutiny from investors. It is important that good examples of corporate reporting be recognized."

Winning companies and Crown corporations are profiled in the Book of Judges' Comments for the 2009 Corporate Reporting Awards. The book is free and available by telephone at 416-204-3435 or online (www.cica.ca/cra).

A complete list of the winners is provided below.

The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA), together with the provincial, territorial and Bermuda Institutes/Ordre of Chartered Accountants, represents a membership of approximately 75,000 CAs and 12,000 students in Canada and Bermuda. The CICA conducts research into current business issues and supports the setting of accounting, auditing and assurance standards for business, not-for-profit organizations and government. It issues guidance on control and governance, publishes professional literature, develops continuing education programs and represents the CA profession nationally and internationally. CICA is a founding member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA).

    
    2009 Corporate Reporting Award Winners
    By Industry Sector

    Overall Award of Excellence                   PotashCorp

    Forest Products                               Cascades Inc.

    Life Sciences/Technology                      MDS Inc.

    Oil & Gas                                     Nexen Inc.

    Diversified Industries                        SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.

    Financial Services                            TD Bank Financial Group

    Mining                                        PotashCorp

    Communications & Media                        TELUS Corporation

    Real Estate/Utilities & Pipelines             TransCanada Corporation

    Consumer Products                             Canadian Tire Corporation,
                                                  Limited

    By Judging Category

    Excellence in Financial Reporting             PotashCorp
    Honourable Mention in Financial Reporting     Bombardier Inc.

    Excellence in Electronic Disclosure           PotashCorp
    Honourable Mention in Electronic Disclosure   Talisman Energy Inc.

    Excellence in Sustainable Development
    Reporting                                     Suncor Energy Inc.
    Honourable Mention in Sustainable Development
    Reporting                                     PotashCorp

    Excellence in Corporate Governance
    Disclosure                                    Nexen Inc.
    Honourable Mention in Corporate Governance
    Disclosure                                    TD Bank Financial Group

    Federal Crown Corporations

    Crown Corporations - Large                    Canada Mortgage and Housing
                                                  Corporation
    Crown Corporations - Small                    Telefilm Canada
    

For further information: or to arrange an interview, contact: Tobin Lambie, Manager, Media, CICA, [phone], [email protected]