June 3, 2005
For Immediate Release

Canada Ports Group honours two individuals in Canadian Port Community

The Board of Directors of the Association has approved nominations for the prestigious Medal of Merit award. This year's recipients are Daniel Doyle and Andrew Wilkinson, both respected Deputy Ministers in the Government of British Columbia.

The award will be presented at the upcoming Annual General Meeting and Conference in Vancouver August 2-6, 2005, at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. The Medal of Merit will be presented on Thursday, August 4.

"With the growing trade in Canada and the Greater Vancouver gateway especially it is important to recognize the contributions of two individuals who have worked very hard to ensure that this important economic gateway is both fluid and efficient,” said Gordon Houston, CEO, Vancouver Port Authority and Chair of the Association. More recently both have been active leaders in the development of an ambitious BC Ports Strategy.

The Medal of Merit is, "Made in recognition of outstanding works or service, preferably of national impact, by an individual, institution or organization in the port, shipping and maritime fields." Mr.
Doyle clearly meets this standard given his impressive career in the transportation field culminating in his appointment as Deputy Minister of Transportation in the BC Government in 2001. For his efforts Mr. Boyle was awarded a number of awards including Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service and recipient of the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ W. H. Curtis Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement in Traffic Management.

Andrew Wilkinson is Deputy Minister of the British Columbia Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development. In this role, he has revitalized the policy function of the Ministry, with renewed responsibility for economic issues, trade, tourism, and business marketing. He is responsible for the BC Ports Strategy, the BC Climate Change Plan, and the government preparations for the economic benefits of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. He served as President of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association from 1993 to 1995, and is licensed in the practice of both medicine and law.

The Medal of Merit has been awarded annually by the Association since 1975. Past recipients have included William B. Rest (Toronto, 1997); Henri Allard (Quebec City, 1999); Madeleine Paquin (Richmond, 2001); and Hon. David Collenette (Windsor, 2002); and Michel Poliout (Trois-Rivieres 2003).

For more information please contact:
Gary LeRoux
Executive Director
Association of Canadian Port Authorities

Phone: (613) 232-2036

The Association of Canadian Port Authorities was founded in 1958 and groups together ports and harbours and related marine interests into one, national association. The ACPA is the pre-eminent Association for the advocacy and advancement of the Canadian Port Industry. ACPA members contribute greatly to the local, regional and national economy of Canada with over $100 billion worth of goods handled annually.

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