Barry Avrich, Stephan Crétier, Bob Dhillon, Katherine Lee, Joanna Rotenberg and Darryl White To Be Honoured with 2025 International Horatio Alger Award Français
TORONTO, June 16, 2025 /CNW/ - The Horatio Alger Association of Canada is pleased to announce that it will honour six exceptional business, civic and cultural leaders with the International Horatio Alger Award at its November 12, 2025 Excellence Gala. This year's recipients are:
Barry Avrich, CEO, BT/A Advertising and Melbar Entertainment Group
Stephan Crétier, Founder, Chairman, President & CEO, GardaWorld
Bob Dhillon, President & CEO, Mainstreet Equity Corp.
Katherine Lee, Corporate Director, CEO of GE Capital Canada (Retired)
Joanna Rotenberg, Managing Director of Advice and Wealth Management, Vanguard
Darryl White, Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group
These 2025 International Horatio Alger Award recipients will be celebrated for their lifetime achievements on November 12, 2025, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The event will be hosted by the Horatio Alger Association of Canada's Board of Directors, including President Prem Watsa, President Emeritus Dominic D'Alessandro, Vice Presidents Jay S. Hennick, the Rt. Hon. David Johnston, Dr. Rola Dagher, Adam Waterous and Treasurer Rick Waugh. All funds raised will go toward supporting the Horatio Alger Association's scholarship programs and support services. Enquiries regarding sponsoring the Gala should be directed to [email protected].
"Reaching our 7th Excellence Gala marks a significant milestone for our Association. We are honoured to recognize six exemplary Canadian leaders—Barry Avrich, Stephan Crétier, Bob Dhillon, Katherine Lee, Joanna Rotenberg, and Darryl White—whose journeys exemplify the transformative power of determination, resilience, and a positive outlook. Their success stories are living proof that hard work and a belief in oneself can surmount any challenge. Moreover, they embody the strength of Canada's free enterprise system, a vital engine that enables individuals from all backgrounds to realize the Canadian dream," said Prem Watsa, President of the Horatio Alger Association of Canada. "As the cornerstone fundraising event supporting our scholarship initiatives, the Excellence Gala is instrumental in our mission to cultivate the next generation of Canadian leaders. Today, the Horatio Alger Association of Canada awards more than 300 post-secondary scholarships annually to deserving students in every province and territory. Since 2012, we have awarded $17.5 million to over 2,200 remarkable young people from coast to coast to coast. Alongside financial support, scholars also benefit from mentorship, financial aid and academic counseling, and mental health support—resources that help them thrive at university and build successful careers."
The Horatio Alger Association will also be hosting its Scholars Conference from November 11 to 13, in conjunction with the Excellence Gala.
The Horatio Association of Canada has two functions. First, it recognizes Canadians who have demonstrated perseverance and achieved great success in life. These individuals are awarded lifetime membership in our organization. Second, the Association awards post-secondary scholarships to deserving young Canadians in every province and territory. Since 2012, the Canadian Association has awarded $17.5 million to over 2,200 deserving students from coast to coast to coast. Scholarship recipients are also supported and mentored by the Association through services such as financial aid counselling, internships, and mental health support.
For more information about the Horatio Alger Association and its Member Class of 2024, please visit www.horatioalger.ca, or follow the Association on Facebook and LinkedIn.
About the Horatio Alger Association of Canada
The Horatio Alger Association of Canada, the Canadian affiliate of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., is a charitable organization dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honours the achievements of outstanding individuals who have succeeded in spite of adversity by bestowing to them the Horatio Alger Award and granting them lifetime membership into the Association. Through the generosity of Horatio Alger Members, the Horatio Alger Association of Canada awards scholarships annually to deserving young people in every province and territory.
Members of the Association include Alain Bouchard, Dominic D'Alessandro, Michael Bublé, Dr. Rola Dagher, Kap Dilawri, Victor Dodig, Murray Edwards, Darren Entwistle, Serge Godin, Wayne Gretzky, Jay S. Hennick, the Right Honourable David Johnston, Rebecca MacDonald, Bharat Masrani, the late G. Wallace F. McCain, Lorne Michaels, the late Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Jim Pattison, Tracy Robinson, Calin Rovinescu, Walter Schroeder, Gerald W. Schwartz, Isadore Sharp, Edward Sonshine, Prem Watsa, Rick Waugh and Adam Waterous. For more information, visit www.horatioalger.ca. The Association can also be found on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
19 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
Canadian government needs to stand up for lumber workers, says United Steelworkers union
BURNABY, British Columbia, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The United Steelworkers union (USW) District 3 and the USW Wood Council are calling on the federal government to take urgent action in response to the latest escalation in the softwood lumber trade dispute. Following the U.S. Department of Commerce's decision to increase anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports to 20.56%, the USW is demanding immediate support for forestry workers and communities across the country.
Vancouver Sun
19 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
Bank of Canada key rate widely expected to hold steady amid trade uncertainty
OTTAWA — Avery Shenfeld doesn't think the Bank of Canada will cut its benchmark interest rate at its decision on Wednesday, but if it does, he said it will be a 'pleasant surprise.' 'There's always a chance that they'll surprise with the rate cut,' the chief economist of CIBC said. 'But I'm not holding out that much hope.' Most economists are also expecting the Bank of Canada will hold its policy rate steady at 2.75 per cent for a third consecutive decision later this week. As of Friday afternoon, financial markets were placing odds of a quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday at just seven per cent, according to LSEG Data & Analytics. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Stubbornness on the inflation front and surprise strength in the labour market have quashed arguments for further easing since the central bank's June decision. The Canadian economy gained an unexpected 83,000 jobs in June, Statistics Canada reported earlier this month, driving the unemployment rate lower for the first time since January. A few days later, StatCan reported annual inflation ticked up to 1.9 per cent last month while the Bank of Canada's closely watched core inflation figures held stubbornly around three per cent. 'Overall, sticky inflation readings, a weakening but relatively resilient economic backdrop and prospects for larger fiscal spending are reasons why we do not expect the BoC will cut again in this cycle,' RBC economists Claire Fan and Abbey Xu wrote in a note Friday. But Shenfeld's call for a lower policy rate — CIBC expects two more quarter-point drops before the Bank of Canada is done — isn't based on what's happened in the economy, it's about what's on the horizon. Outside of the June jobs jump, the labour market is still broadly weak with the unemployment rate at 6.9 per cent, Shenfeld noted. He also expects Canada's tariff dispute with the United States led to an economic contraction in the second quarter of the year. All told, there's enough 'slack' building in the economy to take steam out of inflation in the months to come, Shenfeld said. The Bank of Canada's own second-quarter business outlook survey released last week suggests that many firms are opting to absorb higher costs from tariffs, rather than pass them on to consumers who may be reining in spending amid economic uncertainty. Shenfeld said that's a sign that tariff impacts 'won't extend into a more persistent inflation issue.' He said that once the central bank gains enough confidence that any tariff-induced inflation pressures will be short-lived, monetary policymakers should feel confident enough to lower interest rates. 'I think at this point they know enough to rule out the worst-case scenario on trade,' Shenfeld said. Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem has explicitly said monetary policymakers are being less forward-looking than usual in the trade war. The central bank didn't publish a traditional forecast for the economy in its April monetary policy report, instead offering two scenarios for how tariffs could hit the economy. Jimmy Jean, chief economist at Desjardins, said he believes the Bank of Canada will have gathered enough clarity on the trade front to return to formal forecasts in this week's MPR. 'The uncertainty is there for everyone to recognize. But there's a point where you've got to sort of, stick your neck out and make the proper caveats,' Jean said. Tariff deadlines continue to hover over the Bank of Canada's head — U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to levy tariffs of 35 per cent on Canadian imports starting Friday if a trade deal isn't reached before then, though CUSMA-compliant goods are expected to be exempt from the duties. Some forecasters, including RBC, expect the Bank of Canada is already done rate cuts and will turn the job of stimulating the economy through the trade war over to federal and provincial governments. While Jean also believes the central bank will opt to hold rates again on Wednesday, he said the bank's next decision in September is an 'open possibility' for a cut. Trump's sectoral tariffs targetting Canada's steel, aluminum and copper industries are of particular concern for Ontario and Quebec, Jean said. If those tariffs are sustained, he argued more rate cuts from the Bank of Canada will be warranted to cushion the economic hit. In addition to some sector-specific relief, the federal government has moved in recent months to ramp up Canada's defence and infrastructure funding — spending that could offer fiscal, rather than monetary, support for the economy. But Jean said Desjardins is expecting that lift to come over the ensuing years, not months, opening a window for the Bank of Canada to lower rates in the near-term. 'We think, despite those measures being in the pipeline, the Bank of Canada will still in September have a valid reason to cut interest rates,' he said. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
19 minutes ago
- Edmonton Journal
Bank of Canada key rate widely expected to hold steady amid trade uncertainty
A runner passes the Bank of Canada in Ottawa. Photo by Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press/File OTTAWA — Avery Shenfeld doesn't think the Bank of Canada will cut its benchmark interest rate at its decision on Wednesday, but if it does, he said it will be a 'pleasant surprise.' THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'There's always a chance that they'll surprise with the rate cut,' the chief economist of CIBC said. 'But I'm not holding out that much hope.' Most economists are also expecting the Bank of Canada will hold its policy rate steady at 2.75 per cent for a third consecutive decision later this week. As of Friday afternoon, financial markets were placing odds of a quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday at just seven per cent, according to LSEG Data & Analytics. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Stubbornness on the inflation front and surprise strength in the labour market have quashed arguments for further easing since the central bank's June decision. The Canadian economy gained an unexpected 83,000 jobs in June, Statistics Canada reported earlier this month, driving the unemployment rate lower for the first time since January. A few days later, StatCan reported annual inflation ticked up to 1.9 per cent last month while the Bank of Canada's closely watched core inflation figures held stubbornly around three per cent. 'Overall, sticky inflation readings, a weakening but relatively resilient economic backdrop and prospects for larger fiscal spending are reasons why we do not expect the BoC will cut again in this cycle,' RBC economists Claire Fan and Abbey Xu wrote in a note Friday. But Shenfeld's call for a lower policy rate — CIBC expects two more quarter-point drops before the Bank of Canada is done — isn't based on what's happened in the economy, it's about what's on the horizon. Outside of the June jobs jump, the labour market is still broadly weak with the unemployment rate at 6.9 per cent, Shenfeld noted. He also expects Canada's tariff dispute with the United States led to an economic contraction in the second quarter of the year. All told, there's enough 'slack' building in the economy to take steam out of inflation in the months to come, Shenfeld said. The Bank of Canada's own second-quarter business outlook survey released last week suggests that many firms are opting to absorb higher costs from tariffs, rather than pass them on to consumers who may be reining in spending amid economic uncertainty. Shenfeld said that's a sign that tariff impacts 'won't extend into a more persistent inflation issue.'
