Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and Sodexo Canada selects the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin to receive the new Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations

Toronto, June 13, 2011 - The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and Sodexo Canada are pleased to announce the launch of the Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations and the selection of The Right Honourable Paul Martin as the Award's inaugural recipient.

The Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations is presented to a Canadian who has personally contributed, through his or her professional and voluntary commitments, to building bridges between Aboriginal people and Canada's business community.  The recipient of the award is selected by a jury of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal business leaders.

Mr. Martin is being recognized for his work both within and outside of public service.  In particular, two recent initiatives: The Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, which aims to reduce  the Aboriginal youth dropout rate and increase the number of Aboriginal students attending post-secondary institutions, and the Capital for Aboriginal Prosperity and Entrepreneurship (CAPE) Fund, which he founded with his son David. The investments made through the CAPE fund seek to further a culture of economic independence, ownership and entrepreneurship amongst both on and off reserve Aboriginal peoples, through the creation and growth of successful businesses.

“I am honoured to be selected as the first recipient of the Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations,” says Mr. Martin.  “It is critically important that we work together, all Canadians, to eliminate the gaps that exist between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in health, education, housing, economic development, indeed across the board.”

Dean Johnson, President of Sodexo Canada, is pleased to partner with CCAB to create an award that recognizes Canadians, Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal, who have championed positive change for the Aboriginal community through business.  Mr. Johnson says Mr. Martin's accomplishments are commendable and that he was selected as the inaugural recipient because “his life's work demonstrates a conviction to greater opportunity for Aboriginal Canadians”. 

“The efforts of Paul Martin have led to real change in how business is done in Canada,” says Clint Davis, President and CEO of CCAB.  “Mr. Martin has long recognized the potential of greater participation of the Aboriginal community in the mainstream Canadian economy”.

The Award for Excellence in Aboriginal Relations will be presented to Mr. Martin at CCAB's Annual Gala in Vancouver on September 29, 2011.

For more information about the CCAB and an overview of the Award for Excellence, visit www.ccab.com.

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