Announcing the finalists for the 35th edition of Quebec's most prestigious business contest: the Mercuriades Awards

MONTREAL, March 13, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Today at noon, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) unveiled the finalists for the 35th edition of the Mercuriades Awards. This prestigious business contest, with Mr. Martin Thibodeau, President, Quebec Headquarters, for RBC Royal Bank, as honorary chair this year, has celebrated the exceptional accomplishments of Québec businesses since 1981. In 2015, the Mercuriades Awards will reward SMBs and Large Businesses in 13 categories related, among others, to quality of management, development strategies, long-term vision and impact on the community.

''All finalists deserve our appreciation for their significant contribution to Quebec society. Their innovation, boldness and know-how are an inspiration for the business community. It is because of companies like these that Quebec can remain competitive and shine on the national and international scene'', declared Ms. Françoise Bertrand, President and CEO of the FCCQ, who also thanks the official contest assessor, BDO.

Throughout the years, the Mercuriades Awards, organized by the FCCQ, has received more than 10,000 applications and announced 550 winners, 95% of which are still in business today. The 2015 edition has markedly increased by 32% the number of applications compared to 2014. ''We could not have asked for better news to celebrate our 35 years of efforts, Ms. Bertrand continues. This figure proves that the spirit of innovation and the desire to grow and excel is very much alive in Quebec. Our business community is ready to meet the challenges and go even further.''

Finalists were announced by Mr. Ben Marc Diendéré, Senior Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs at La Coop Fédérée, partners for finalist's recognition. As part of the Finalists Tour, organized by the FCCQ in collaboration with local Chambers of Commerce and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, finalists from several regions will also be announced in their area.

Companies had until December 19th to submit their applications. The winners of the 2015 Mercuriade Awards will be announced at the gala evening held on April 16 at the Palais des congrès de Montreal. In honor of the competition's 35th anniversary, a special tribute will be paid to winners from the previous years. The winners in each of the categories will automatically be shortlisted for the top award of Business of the Year.

The FCCQ extends warm thanks to the jury, made up of members from a wide range of organizations and companies from various sectors of the economy: Jury President Suzanne Fortier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at McGill University; Christine Fortuna, Regional Director at CSST; Serge Paquette, Managing Partner at NATIONAL Public Relations; Michel Turner, Senior Director, Talent Management and Organizational Development at Metro; Caroline St- Jacques, Director General of Community Relations in Québec City at La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec; Pascal Proulx, Vice President at Desjardins Group; Jean-François Léonard, President of Enviroscope.

The success of this 35th edition of the Mercuriades Awards would not be possible without the participation of the FCCQ's partners: RBC Royal Bank, Alcoa, Business Development Bank of Canada, BDO, La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, CN, CSST, Sun Life Financial, Gaz Métro, Investors Group, Investissement Québec, Office québécois de la langue française, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, TELUS Québec, Agropur, Association de la construction du Québec, AstraZeneca Canada, La Coop fédérée, Desjardins Entreprises, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Rio Tinto Alcan, Clientis Business Development, ESG UQAM, Metro, Mobilia, Osisko, Air Canada, Cogeco Diffusion, La Presse + and ICI RDI.

Productivity Improvement – Business Development Bank of Canada

• Large business
  • MEGA Brands

• SMB
  • SOUCY INDUSTRIEL
  • DE LA FONTAINE
  • Rodeo FX inc.

Sustainable Development

• Large business
  • Aéroports de Montréal et Aéro Mag
  • AIR TRANSAT

Investors Group Community involvement  

• Large business
  • Cascades
  • Canadian Tire
  • Waste Management
• SMB
  • Emplois Compétences
  • La Tablée des Chefs

Entrepreneurship – Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton

• Large business
  • Agropur Coopérative, Fine cheeses business unit
  • Avril Supermarché Santé
  • Benny & Co.
  • TELUS Santé
• SMB
  • Éditions Pratico-pratiques
  • Ferme des Voltigeurs
  • Techfab
  • Wajam Internet Technologies

Proactive Workforce Management

• Large business
  • Sun Life Financial Québec
  • Pfizer Canada
• SMB
  • ARM Agence de recouvrement
  • Dépanneur Super Sagamie Pétro T Le Campagnard

Innovation – Investissement Québec

• Large business
  • TELUS Santé
• SMB
  • ASDR Environnement
  • Axium
  • Logiag inc.
  • MédiaMed Technologies inc.

Contribution to Economic and Regional Development

• SMB
  • Fromagerie du Pied-De-Vent
  • Conception Génik inc.
  • Nova Film inc.
  • Paber Aluminium

Export and International Market Development

• AccelLAB inc.

Vocational and Technical Training

• Olymel SEC

Business Transfer - La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec

• Maple Leaf Charcoal Inc.

Workplace Health and Safety

• Large business
  • Bonduelle Canada inc.

Mérite du français

Finalists to be announced on March 26.

About the FCCQ
With its extensive network of more than 140 chambers of commerce and 1,100 corporate members, the Federation 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, 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, ext. 3227, Cell : 514 647-4745, [email protected]