June 5 , 2005
For Immediate Release

Canada Ports Group honours marine industry giant

The Board of Directors of the Association has approved the nomination for the prestigious Medal of Merit award. This year's recipient is Jack D. Leitch, Chairman of Upper Lakes Group Inc.  Upper Lakes owns and operates 13 bulk carriers and 8 self-unloading lake ships carrying bulk commodities on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River for many years, and grain transfer elevators in Thunder Bay and Trois-Rivieres, Quebec.

The award will be presented at the upcoming Annual General Meeting and Conference in Oshawa, August 13-16, 2006, at the Holiday Inn. The Medal of Merit will be presented on Monday, August 14, 2006. 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. Leitch clearly meets this standard given his impressive career in the marine transportation field. Mr. Leitch is also the Chairman of Canadian Shipbuilding & Engineering which is 50% owned by Upper Lakes Group Inc. and is the only  shipbuilding company remaining on the Canadian Great Lakes.  “It is only fitting that the Association honour such a great businessman as Mr. Leitch who has grown a large business in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence region over the past 40 years,” said Donna Taylor, CEO of the Oshawa Harbour Commission and this year’s Chair of the Association.

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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