The FCCQ's 2015 Mercuriades Awards Gala celebrates 35 years of successes

MONTRÉAL, April 17, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Innovation and business excellence were celebrated last night at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, with more than 900 people attending the unveiling of the winners of the 35th edition of the Mercuriades, the prestigious business competition organized by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ). ''The entrepreneurial spirit of the winners and finalists is a source of inspiration for the future of Québec'' said President and CEO of the FCCQ, Françoise Bertrand.

Under the honorary presidency of Mr. Martin Thibodeau, President of RBC Royal Bank, Québec Headquarters, the event hosted by Bernard Derome honoured the outstanding achievements of a total of 20 companies and entrepreneurs in 13 categories. The most coveted prize, the title of Business of the Year, was awarded this year to Air Transat in the large business category, and the Ferme des Voltigeurs in the SME category. These companies were chosen among all the winners of the regular categories.

The Premier of Québec, Philippe Couillard, was in attendance at this great event. He was accompanied by the Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Exports, Jacques Daoust, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region, Sam Hamad, as well as the Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Regulatory Streamlining and Regional Economic Development, Jean-Denis Girard.

The Mercure trophy, a source of pride

''It is with great pride that the FCCQ has been involved in the growth of the Québec business environment over the past 35 years and has contributed to it by highlighting the achievements and dynamism of companies and their teams. Through this recognition, we want to give them some momentum. We must never forget that our businesses are the key to creating wealth in Québec and also a source of pride for all its citizens,'' Ms. Bertrand said.

The FCCQ, who put a lot of effort into making this evening memorable, enjoys continued interest from the business community for the event, a sign of the value and credibility of the competition within the community. The Mercuriades received close to one hundred nominations in 2015, and the number of attendants at the gala is up by 23% this year.

The past, a stepping stone for the future

The evening was kicked-off with the presentation of a tribute video recognizing 35 years of the Mercuriades awards that included archived images and excerpts from interviews with business leaders. It recounted how the competition was started in 1981 and the evolution of Québec's economy up until today, and provided an update on past winners since being recognized at the Mercuriades. As a bridge between the past and the present, the winners of previous editions lined up to honour and welcome this year's finalists.

In a touching speech, Ms. Bertrand mentioned the three late visionary entrepreneurs responsible for the creation of the Mercuriades whom she knew well: Marcel Côté, cofounder of SECOR and a builder of Québec's economy; Luc Beauregard, founder of NATIONAL; and Marcel Baril, of Groupe Marcel Baril Ltée, chair of the Chambre de commerce du Québec (FCCQ's ancestor) in 1979–1980. ''By recognizing the true value of the efforts and results of Québec entrepreneurs, they gave them the confidence to assert themselves and continue to stand out. Québec society owes them a lot because they laid the foundation for the future,'' she said.

Guests were also treated to a sneak peek of the highly anticipated musical Grease, which will be playing at the St. Denis Theatre this summer as part of the Just for Laughs festival. Donning their Sandy and Danny costumes, Annie Villeneuve and Jason Roy Léveillée sang the show's most popular song, "You're the one that I want," with passion and contagious enthusiasm. This number preceded the highlight of the evening, the presentation of the Business of the Year awards.

Acknowledgements

The FCCQ would like to express their gratitude to the Mercuriades jury, made up of respected members of organizations and companies from all sectors of the economy and chaired by Suzanne Fortier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University, and to BDO, the official auditor of the competition, for their thorough and invaluable work.

The success of the 35th Mercuriades was made possible thanks to the participation of the FCCQ's partners: RBC Royal Bank, Alcoa, Business Development Bank of Canada, BDO, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, CN, CSST, Sun Life Financial, Gaz Métro, Investors Group, Hydro-Québec, Investissement Québec, Office québécois de la langue française, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, TELUS Québec, Agropur Coopérative, Association de la construction du Québec, AstraZeneca Canada, La Coop fédérée, Desjardins Entreprises, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Power Corporation of Canada, Rio Tinto Alcan, Clientis développement d'affaires, Metro, Mobilia, Osisko, Air Canada, ESG UQAM, Cogeco Diffusion, La Presse + and ICI RDI.

LISTE OF WINNERS – MERCURIADES 2015

Business of the Year

• SME
  • Ferme des Voltigeurs
• Large business
  • AIR TRANSAT

Productivity Improvement – Business Development Bank of Canada

• SME
  • Rodeo FX inc.
• Large business
  • MEGA Brands

Sustainable Development

• Large business
  • AIR TRANSAT

Community involvement – Investors Group

• SME
  • La Tablée des Chefs
• Large business
  • Canadian Tire

Entrepreneurship – Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton

• SME (ex aequo)
  • Ferme des Voltigeurs
  • Wajam Internet Technologies
• Large business
  • Benny & Co.

Proactive Workforce Management

• SME
  • Dépanneur Super Sagamie Pétro T Le Campagnard
• Large business
  • Sun Life Financial Québec

Innovation – Investissement Québec

• SME
  • ASDR Environnement
• Large business
  • TELUS Santé

Contribution to Economic and Regional Development

• SME
  • Paber Aluminium

Export and International Market Development

• AccelLAB Inc.

Professional and Technical Training

• Olymel SEC in partnership with Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne

Business Transfer – Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec

• Maple Leaf Charcoal Inc.

Workplace Health and Safety

• Large business
  • Bonduelle Canada Inc.

Leadership Germaine Gibara

• SME
  • Louise Richer,
    École nationale de l'humour
• Large business
  • Isabelle Marcoux
    Transcontinental Inc.

Mérite du français

• Allstate Canada

About the FCCQ

With its extensive network of more than 140 chambers of commerce and 1,100 corporate members, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec represents over 60,000 businesses and 150,000 businesspeople involved in all sectors of the economy throughout Québec. As the province's premier business network, the FCCQ serves as both a federation and a provincial chamber of commerce. Its members share a common goal: to foster an innovative and competitive business environment.

SOURCE Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec

Marilyne Marcoux, Communications Advisor, Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec, 514-844-9571, extension 3227, Cell: 514-647-4745, [email protected]