Past Dinners

The 23rd Annual Testimonial Dinner & Awards was held on April 29, 2010 in Toronto. The event was co-chaired by The Honourable Darrell Dexter, Premier of Nova Scotia, and Chantal Hébert, Political Columnist, The Toronto Star.

This years honourees included Phil Fontaine, Carole Taylor, Tony Dean and Preston Manning. The 2010 Hyman Solomon Award for Excellence in Public Policy Journalism was presented to Bernard Derome and the 2010 Emerging Leaders Award was presented to Gabriel Bran Lopez.

Photos

Click here to view photos from this year's Dinner.

Videos

Click here to watch videos from this year's Dinner.

This Year's Co-Chairs

Hon. Darrell Dexter Premier of Nova Scotia

Chantal Hébert Political Columnist The Toronto Star

This Year's Honourees

Click on honourees' pictures to read their biographies.

Testimonial Award

Honouring distinguished Canadians

Each year at the Forum's Testimonial Dinner, over one thousand leaders from all sectors of Canadian society gather to pay tribute to distinguished Canadians who have made an outstanding contribution to the quality of public policy and public management in our country.

These men and women from various walks of professional life exemplify the Public Policy Forum's commitment to achieving greater understanding and cooperation between the public and private sectors to improve the quality of government in Canada.

A jury appointed by the Public Policy Forum selects the honourees from among candidates nominated by Forum members.

At the Testimonial Dinner, each honouree is introduced by a video-tribute describing their achievements and including testimonials offered by friends and colleagues in respect and affection. A trophy is presented in recognition of their public contribution.

In addition to the honourees, two other awards are presented at the Testimonial Dinner.

Hyman Solomon Award for Excellence in Public Policy Journalism

This year's recipient is:

Bernard Derome Former Host, Le Téléjournal Radio-Canada

The Public Policy Forum established the Hyman Solomon Award for Excellence in Public Policy Journalism to celebrate the journalistic standards and intellectual integrity of the late Hyman Solomon who, as Ottawa Bureau Chief of the Financial Post, covered the complex interplay of the public and private sectors, and the intricacies of national decision-making.

Each year, the award is presented to a journalist whose work, in either official language, provides insights into the policy-making process in Canada, and explains to Canadians how changes in public policy affect their individual well-being and collective economic progress. A cash prize is also awarded.

Emerging Leaders Award

This year's recipient is:

Gabriel Bran Lopez Executive Director Youth Fusion

In 2005, the Public Policy Forum established an annual award for emerging leaders to recognize the contributions of young Canadians who personify leadership in the area of public policy and civic discourse. Recipients of the Emerging Leaders Award are in the early stages of their career and demonstrate exceptional initiative and commitment to the principles of public service.

The Forum is eager to play a role in encouraging young Canadians to become involved in the public policy process and the public arena. This may include participation in social enterprises and/or initiatives which contribute to public engagement and good governance.

For more information, please download the nomination brochure. (Nominations are now closed)

Thank you to our sponsors:

Visit our multimedia section or click here to download the remarks from our co-chairs and honourees.

Testimonial Dinner Co-Chairs

The Hon. Brad Wall
Premier of Saskatchewan

Mr. Alex Baumann
Executive Director, Road to Excellence and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist

2009 Testimonial Dinner & Awards Honourees

Jim Balsillie
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Research In Motion

Mike Lazaridis
President and Co-Chief Executive Officer
Research In Motion

L. Jacques Ménard
Chairman
BMO Nesbitt Burns and
President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec

Georgina Steinsky-Schwartz
Past President and CEO
Imagine Canada

2009 Hy Solomon Award recipient

Craig Oliver
CTV Chief Political Correspondent and Co-Host, Question Period

2009 Young Leaders Award recipient

Sara Ehrhardt
Economist, International Finance and Development Division
Finance Canada

Testimonial Dinner Co-Chairs

Dr. Indira Samarasekera
President
University of Alberta

Hon. Danny Williams 
Premier
Government of Newfoundland & Labrador

2008 Testimonial Award Recipients

Mr. David A. Dodge
Former Governor
Bank of Canada

Ms. Sheila Watt-Cloutier
Inuit and Environmental Activist

Dr. Gerri Sinclair
Executive Director
Masters of Digital Media Program 
Centre for Digital Media 
Great Northern Way Campus

2008 Hyman Solomon Award Recipient

Alain Dubuc
Columnist, La Presse and Le Soleil

2008 Young Leaders Award Recipient

Peter MacLeod
Partner and Co-Founder
MASS LBP  

2007 Testimonial Dinner Co-Chairs

Allan Gregg
Chairman,
The Strategic Counsel

Hon. Monique Jérôme-Forget
President,
Treasury Board, Government of Quebec

To celebrate 20 years of honourees, this year's dinner looked back on the accomplishments of the many great Canadians who have received Testimonial Awards.

2007 Hyman Solomon Award Recipient

Eric Reguly
Globe & Mail

2007 Young Leaders Award Recipients

Parker Mitchell & George Roter
Co-founders & co-CEOs
Engineers Without Borders

Co-chairs

Mr. Gary Doer
Premier
Manitoba

Mr. Michael Sabia
President and CEO,BCE Inc and
CEO Bell Canada

2006 Testimonial Award Recipients

George Erasmus

Louise Frechette

Hon. Bob Rae

2006 Hyman Soloman Award Recipient

Chantal Hébert
Toronto Star

2006 Young Leaders Award Recipient

Alison Loat
Chairperson
Canada 25

Andrew Medd
Executive Director
Canada 25