Awards – Canada - IR Impact

About the event

The IR Impact Awards – Canada will take place on Thursday, April 2, 2026 in Toronto. This very special event will honor excellence in the investor relations profession across Canada.

WHEN

Thursday, April 2, 2026

WHERE

Fairmont Royal York, Toronto

Celebrating IR excellence

Since the annual event first launched in 1996, tens of thousands of analysts and investors have voted in the surveys that fuels the awards. The result: vital benchmarking information on which companies do the best IR. In recent years, the awards program has expanded to recognize more aspects of an IRO’s role as we add new categories to the list and give IR teams the opportunity to nominate themselves.

By popular demand, we present two types of award categories – researched and nominated – both celebrating the success of those individuals and companies that are leading the way in IR across Canada.

For our researched categories, companies do not submit nominations. Instead, hundreds of analysts and investors cast their votes and give their opinions on which companies provide the best IR service. In our nominated categories, companies submit written entries to articulate their success and achievements from the past year, giving any publicly listed company the opportunity to be considered for an award.

Awards by nomination

For our awards-by-nomination categories, individuals and companies are given the opportunity to submit written entries, free of charge, to be put forward to a panel of expert judges made up of investment professionals and IR Impact editorial team members.

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED!

We are delighted to announce the 2026 nominees! Click here to view the full list.

The final list of categories presented at the awards ceremony are subject to change.

Market cap breakdown: Micro-cap = below C$300 mn / Small cap = between C$300 mn – C$2 bn / Mid-cap = between C$2 bn – C$10 bn / Large cap = C$10 bn and over

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or call +44 20 8004 4989.

Categories

Best CEO communications *NEW FOR 2026*

How your CEO communicates with capital markets stakeholders is a critical part of telling your company’s story and building confidence in its leadership. This category recognizes how IR and the C-suite work together to shape the company’s narrative and strengthen trust with the market.

Judges will look for examples such as innovative communication methods, impactful CEO letters or videos, effective campaigns during challenging moments or any approach that successfully brought clarity, credibility and connection to the market.

Evidence can include the CEO letter or video, press coverage or investor and analyst feedback.

Nominees

AtkinsRéalis Group

Bombardier

Loblaw Companies

Montage Gold Corp

Scotiabank

TD Bank Group

Best innovation in shareholder communications

Judges are looking for IR teams who have had to think out of the box in the past 12–18 months to update their shareholder communications campaign and keep up with the evolving needs of the investor community. We’re looking for that tiny spark of innovation that sets your company apart!

Please include clear examples of original approaches, such as new formats or interactive channels, that demonstrate agility and creativity.

Evidence can include campaign materials, engagement metrics, survey results, changes in shareholding or testimonials from investors and analysts.

Nominees

Alimentation Couche-Tard

Calian Group

Canadian Tire Corporation

CN

Intact Financial Corporation

Scotiabank

Best investor event (large cap)

Did you hold a capital markets day, site visit or other investor event that made your company stand out from the crowd?

Judges want to see why the event was conceived (eg, strategy update, facility showcase, etc.), the originality of the format, the quality of execution and how it met or exceeded audience expectations. Both virtual and in-person events will be considered.

Evidence can include quantitative outcomes, event agendas, formats used, use of technology, follow-up meeting requests, investor feedback surveys or analyst notes.

Nominees

Alamos Gold

AtkinsRéalis Group

Celestica

Intact Financial Corporation

Scotiabank

Sun Life Financial

Best investor event (small to mid-cap)

Did you hold a capital markets day, site visit or other investor event that made your company stand out from the crowd?

Judges want to see why the event was conceived (eg, strategy update, facility showcase, etc.), the originality of the format, the quality of execution and how it met or exceeded audience expectations. Both virtual and in-person events will be considered.

Evidence can include quantitative outcomes, event agendas, formats used, use of technology, follow-up meeting requests, investor feedback surveys or analyst notes.

Nominees

Calian Group

Flagship Communities REIT

Gibson Energy

Gran Tierra Energy

Jamieson Wellness

Skeena Gold & Silver

Best investor targeting strategy

Have you gone above and beyond to reach new investors and tell your company’s story? Did you adapt your targeting strategy to reach new prospects, respond to adversarial circumstances or get a better return from your investor engagements?

Judges are looking for a clear explanation of the targeting challenge, innovative use of data and analysis to optimize outreach and evidence that your approach delivered tangible results for management’s time on the road and at conferences.

Evidence can include changes in shareholder base, senior management or investor feedback.

Nominees

Alamos Gold

ATCO

Definity Financial Corporation

Fortis

NOVAGOLD RESOURCES

South Bow Corporation

Best IR during a corporate transaction

How did your IR team go above and beyond to support a recent corporate transaction?

Judges will look at how IR helped shape and deliver market messaging, engaged with key shareholders and stakeholders and contributed to a smooth and successful process.

This category covers transactions such as M&A, IPOs, spin-offs, restructurings or other significant corporate actions where IR played a pivotal role.

Evidence can include details of IR’s involvement, changes in share price, market reactions or feedback from investors, analysts, the board or senior management.

Nominees

Cenovus Energy

New Found Gold Corp

NFI Group

NOVAGOLD RESOURCES

TD Bank Group

Teck Resources

Best IR impact (large cap) *NEW FOR 2026*

Tell us about a time in the past 18 months where IR made a significant difference to your company. This could be an unusual capital raise, navigating a tricky situation, reshaping investor perception or finally landing that investor you’ve been courting.

Judges will look for a clear explanation of how the IR team’s work drove success, detailing what that success looked like and its impact on the company.

Evidence can include share register changes, analyst commentary or feedback from senior management and the board.

Nominees

Agnico Eagle Mines

AtkinsRéalis Group

Bombardier

CIBC

Great-West Lifeco

Hudbay Minerals

Best IR impact (small to mid-cap) *NEW FOR 2026*

Tell us about a time in the past 18 months where IR made a significant difference to your company. This could be an unusual capital raise, navigating a tricky situation, reshaping investor perception or finally landing that investor you’ve been courting.

Judges will look for a clear explanation of how the IR team’s work drove success, detailing what that success looked like and its impact on the company.

Evidence can include share register changes, analyst commentary or feedback from senior management and the board.

Nominees

Aecon Group

Calian Group

Gold Royalty Corp

NFI Group

Open Text Corporation

South Bow Corporation

Best IR website

The IR website is the first point of contact for an IRO’s audience. We want to hear from companies that have developed a best-in-class website displaying top-notch customer experience, engaging content that meets analysts’ and investors’ needs and multiplatform access.

Judges will look for sites that provide clarity, transparency and easy access to information. Strong entries will show how design, functionality and content work together to meet investor and analyst needs and reflect best practices in digital communication.

Evidence can include before/after screenshots, analytics reports (traffic, downloads, engagement), user testing results or investor feedback.

Nominees

Agnico Eagle Mines

Gran Tierra Energy

Groupe Dynamite

Maple Leaf Foods

Rogers Communications

Scotiabank

Best retail IR strategy

IR teams have recently started to pay attention to and service the traditional blind spot in their shareholder base – the retail investor block.

In this category, judges will look for IR campaigns that went beyond the standard program to engage and communicate effectively with retail shareholders. Strong entries will show why retail was a priority, how the strategy differed from the usual program and the tangible results achieved.

Evidence can include details of what was implemented – for example, tailored communications, simplified disclosures, webinars, dedicated microsites or partnerships with retail investment platforms – and details of the results, such as shareholding changes, media coverage, senior management recognition, etc.

Nominees

Element Fleet Management

Freehold Royalties

New Horizon Aircraft

Skeena Gold & Silver

Best sell-side management

Working closely with analysts is a core part of many IR programs, but it can pose a challenge when thinking about how to prioritize your time and focus on your company’s sell-side followers.

In this category, the judges are looking for teams that have implemented new strategies for keeping up with the sell-side, working with analysts and deriving the most from their relationships to best serve their equity story.

Evidence can include details of the strategy employed, analyst coverage reports, feedback from analysts or changes in recommendations.

Nominees

Aecon Group

Celestica

CN

Great-West Lifeco

Hudbay Minerals

Scotiabank

Best sustainability reporting (large cap)

Companies face new pressure to effectively communicate how they manage sustainability risks and opportunities in line with investor expectations.

Judges will look for reports with a new focus that go beyond compliance to provide substance, detail and performance data. Strong entries will show how the report was conceived, its objectives, how it was executed and what tangible results it delivered in terms of transparency and engagement.

Evidence might include reports, screenshots, summaries, ESG ratings changes, analyst commentary, investor feedback, readership/download metrics or alignment with frameworks.

Nominees

Agnico Eagle Mines

CN

Rogers Communications

Scotiabank

TD Bank Group

WSP Global

Best sustainability reporting (small to mid-cap)

Companies face new pressure to effectively communicate how they manage sustainability risks and opportunities in line with investor expectations.

Judges will look for reports with a new focus that go beyond compliance to provide substance, detail and performance data. Strong entries will show how the report was conceived, its objectives, how it was executed and what tangible results it delivered in terms of transparency and engagement.

Evidence might include reports, screenshots, summaries, ESG ratings changes, analyst commentary, investor feedback, readership/download metrics or alignment with frameworks.

Nominees

Air Canada

Calian Group

Chartwell Retirement Residences

Definity Financial Corporation

DIRTT Environmental Solutions

Ero Copper Corp

Best use of social media and video

Have your IR teams increased visibility and engagement digitally through the use of different communication channels?

Judges will look for innovative use of video, audio, social platforms, infographics or webcasts to strengthen communication with investors. Strong entries will demonstrate creativity, quality of output and tangible evidence of how these tools improved investor and analyst engagement.

Your entry can include video messages, LinkedIn or X campaigns, IR podcasts, live webcasts, infographics or interactive Q&A sessions. Evidence should consist of links to the video, social media campaign screenshots, viewership analytics, press mentions or investor feedback.

Nominees

Aecon Group

Agnico Eagle Mines

Alamos Gold

CN

Scotiabank

Skeena Gold & Silver

Rising star

This award seeks to honor individuals who bring fresh thinking and a unique approach to the profession. This category is open to anyone who has been working in IR for less than 10 years and has less than 15 years of total professional experience.

This category celebrates emerging talent making a meaningful impact on their organization and the wider IR profession.

Evidence can include testimonials from management, examples of their initiatives, KPIs or investor/analyst quotes – results that set the nominee apart from their peers.

Nominees

Dylan Musgrove

ATCO

Kristina Malcheva

AtkinsRéalis Group

Tom Hades

Gibson Energy

Alex Limosani

Groupe Dynamite

Krystel Gauthier

Intact Financial Corporation

Amanda Tang

TMX Group

How the winners are chosen +

The awards-by-nomination categories differ from our traditional researched awards, as individuals and companies are given the opportunity to submit written entries, free of charge, to be put forward to a panel of expert judges made up of investment professionals, IR experts and IR Impact editorial team members.

The judges’ votes are not made public, but their comments may be published in articles or reports after the event. Judges are not required to make comments against every submission.

The judging process consists of three simple phases:

Phase one

Once the entry deadline has passed, the IR Impact editorial team reviews all submissions and produces the shortlist

Phase two

The shortlisted entries are shared with an independent judging panel made up of industry experts. The judges review each shortlisted entry based on four criteria scoring each criterion on a scale from 1 to 5. The scores for all four criteria are then summed to produce a total score for each entry per judge.

The IR Impact awards team receives the results and contacts all shortlisted companies to give them the good news. The shortlists are then published to the entire IR community a month before the event.

Phase three

The judges come together to discuss, debate and select the final list of winners who will go on to win an award

Meet the judges

We are delighted to announce our judging panel for the 2026 awards! Click on each photo below to find out more.

Hall of Fame

Past winners of our coveted IR Impact Awards are invited to be inducted into the IR Impact Hall of Fame. This is an exclusive alum organization reserved only for individual winners of our awards including the categories – Best IR Professional across all cap sizes.

We wanted to provide a platform that offers ongoing recognition for this monumental achievement and an opportunity for our award winners to help shape the future of excellence in the IR community.

View the honorees

Awards by research

Our awards-by-research nominees are determined by the input of hundreds of analysts and portfolio managers, who give their opinions on which companies provide them with the best IR service in Canada. Every year we invite any publicly listed company to submit their list of buy and sell-side analysts and portfolio managers, so that they have the opportunity to vote via our survey.

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED!

We are delighted to announce the 2026 nominees! Click here to view the full list.

Please click on the tabs below to view the research timeline. For any further queries about the research process, please contact [email protected].

How the winners are chosen +

The first thing to explain is that our awards are different from most others: for our awards by research, companies do not submit nominations. The winners are identified by in-depth research and any publicly traded company is eligible to be considered. This survey is the only one of its kind to go directly to the investment community, via a combination of an electronic survey and one-to-one telephone interviews, canvassing the opinions of the people who matter to you most.

July – August 2025: Sample selection

IR Impact has been building investment community databases for more than 35 years. As part of the updating process, listed companies are contacted every year for details of the professionals who currently cover their stock. These details are combined with IHS Markit’s list of US investment community contacts to produce a total of around 50,000 investors and analysts.

October – November 2025: Telephone survey

The telephone survey then gets under way. The researchers conduct in-depth interviews with an additional 250 portfolio managers and analysts across the US and Canada. Many of them participate in the study year after year, but there is always a healthy proportion of new respondents each year as well. As the research progresses, the sample is adjusted to ensure appropriate weightings are maintained.

October 2025: Electronic survey

IR Impact then conducts an electronic survey of buy-side and sell-side analysts and portfolio managers. The electronic survey typically receives 200 individual responses from the investment community. These responses are then initially analyzed by our in-house research team. Our research team determines what will constitute a representative sample, weighted for industry sector.

Results analysis

Once the survey stage of the research is completed, the final analysis is undertaken. The companies with the highest scores make the shortlists for the awards categories, and the points are further analyzed to identify the best exponents of IR by sector.

January 2026: Shortlist compiled

The events team receives the results in January and contacts the shortlisted companies to give them the good news. The shortlist is then published to the entire IR community the month before the event.

April 2, 2026: Winners announced

And finally… the winners are announced live at the black tie awards gala on Thursday, April 2, 2026!

FAQs +

Why do you need my buy-side and sell-side contacts?
We survey analysts and portfolio managers to identify which companies, IROs and senior leaders delivered the strongest IR service. Their votes shape the shortlists for our regional awards.

What will the data be used for?
We use it only to survey your analysts and portfolio managers and to compile category shortlists and global rankings for the IR Impact Awards and our research programs.

Is there a data template I can use?
Yes. Click here for the template. You’re also welcome to use your own format if the data is already organised.

Can I sign a data-sharing agreement?
Yes. We have a GDPR-compliant data-sharing agreement available here that can be signed on request.

Where’s your privacy policy?
You can read it here.

How should I send the data?
You can either:

Share it via your company’s secure FTP (please send the link and password separately) or
Upload a password-protected Excel file with names, company name, job title, direct phone number and email to our online form (email the password separately to [email protected]).

Will the data be used for anything else?
No. It will only be used for IR Impact’s surveys to identify the best performers in IR. It will never be used for marketing or promotion.

How long do you keep the data?
Up to three years for survey purposes only. You can ask us to delete it at any time by emailing [email protected].

Will my data be shared with third parties?
No.

Will you tell me when the survey starts?
Yes. We’ll notify you so you can encourage your covering analysts and investors to take part.

When will the shortlist be announced?
We’ll notify you by email once results are collated and verified. To avoid missing the notification, please update us at [email protected] with your latest email address and add ir-impact.com to your safe senders list.

When will winners be announced?
At the IR Impact Awards in each region. You can see our upcoming events here.

If you have any further questions, please contact our research team.

What our attendees say

Very well organized. Great location and venue. Meal and bar were very good. Kept the evening moving during the awards phase. Really appreciated the band and the whole feel around the ceremony
Cenovus Energy

The chance to get to see the IR World in a different light, hear about the success stories and cheer on the nominees and winners
Stantec

It was a very impressive evening in every way – the location was great, the ballroom was beautiful, open bar, 360 camera, red carpet, dinner, audio/video set up for awards presentation, live singer/band as winners
Medak

The 2023 IR Magazine Awards – Canada was a slick, professional and fun event to celebrate IR excellence across industries
BMO Financial Group

A great opportunity to celebrate IR and catch up with old friends
Loblaw

The location, the drinks, service at the bar, and the pre/post-dinner food were incredible. The atmosphere was awesome and I think the length of the event was perfect
Sun Life Financial

What’s not to like about the IR Magazine Awards! Amazing venue, food and entertainment
Broadridge

Who attends our events

Attendees at this event are leading IR practitioners from across Canada. Each participant is someone with an established track record and a strategic IR role within his or her company.

Below is a sample of some of our past attendees:

JOB TITLE	COMPANY
AVP, IR	Canadian Tire
CEO	Northland Power
CFO	Black Diamond Group
Chief executive officer	Element Fleet Management
Director	Loblaw
Director, IR	Aecon
Director, IR	CGI
Director, IR	Shopify
Director, IR	E3 Lithium
Head, IR	Cronos Group
Head of IR	Canadian Tire
IR	Shopify
IR specialist	Cenovus Energy
Manager, IR	Telus

JOB TITLE	COMPANY
Senior advisor, IR	TransAlta Corporation
Senior director	Loblaw
Senior VP, IR	Cenovus Energy
Senior VP, IR	CGI
SVP	Loblaw
VP, capital markets	Black Diamond Group
VP, capital markets & risk	Gibson Energy
VP, ESG	Element Fleet Management
VP, financial planning and analysis	Northland Power
VP, FP&A	Cronos Group
VP, IR	Element Fleet Management
VP, IR & ESG strategy	EQB
VP, strategic finance & IR	TransAlta Corporation
VP, strategy	Gibson Energy

Request full attendee list

Thinking of becoming an event partner?

Our events provide a unique opportunity to get in front of some of the most influential people in the IR community. As a partner, you will gain an extensive amount of exposure through a wide range of print and digital marketing materials, both pre and post event, as well as on the day itself. Additionally, you can use the event to align yourself with IR excellence and network with key decision makers from across the region – the ones pushing the profession forward through innovation.

Get in touch to find out more

Partners

AWARDS Partners

Corporate Partners

SUPPORTING Partners

Timings

Times are show in ET (Eastern Time).

Timings are subject to change.

6.00 pm

Opening cocktail reception

7.00 pm

Dinner and awards ceremony

10.15 pm

The after-party and desserts!

Midnight

Event concludes

Venue information

Accommodation
We have arranged preferential rates for attendees at nearby hotels. View the hotels and rates by clicking here.

Dress code:
Black tie – the evening will be Champagne & Stars themed!

Copied!

Fairmont Royal York, Front Street West, Toronto, ON, Canada

Get directions

Book your place

Click below to book your ticket.

All prices are subject to 13% HST. Prices shown are exclusive of HST.

If you have any questions, please contact Thomas Williams on [email protected] or +44 208 090 2156.

INDIVIDUAL SEAT

C$995

STANDARD rate

Individual seat
Opening cocktail reception
2 course sit-down dinner
Dessert station
Entertainment
After-party
Networking opportunities

Individual seat

STANDARD TABLE OF 10

C$8,955

STANDARD rate

Table of 10
Opening cocktail reception
2 course sit-down dinner
Dessert station
Entertainment
After-party
Networking opportunities

Standard Table of 10

CORPORATE VIP TABLE OF 10

C$11,995

C$10,195

SECOND RELEASE rate

All standard table of 10 benefits plus:

A bottle of champagne
Themed cocktail on arrival for your whole table
Company branding on the table
A larger table-top for the comfort of your guests
Place cards for your table
Mention in the opening remarks by the MC
A member of the organization interviewed at the event

If you are a non-corporate looking to book a VIP table, please contact Ian Richman on [email protected].

Corporate VIP TABLE of 10

2 VIP tables remaining at second release rate

Make a day of it: join our forum

Join us earlier in the day as we host the IR Impact Forum – Canada at Lumi Experience, bringing together IR professionals, analysts and governance experts for practical insights and discussion.

Designed for today’s rapidly evolving capital markets, the forum delivers practical insights through expert panels, real-world case studies and interactive discussions. Gain fresh perspectives on ESG disclosure, AI and digital tools, navigating market volatility and strengthening investor engagement. Hear from pioneering buy-side experts, network with key issuers and strengthen your professional network for the year ahead.

visit our forum website

Gallery: 2025

Highlights

View the highlights from the 2025 awards ceremony

Contact us

For partnership inquiries

Ian Richman

+1 212 430 6865

For Awards inquiries

Priscilla Lim

+44 20 8004 4989

For all other inquiries

Thomas Williams

+44 20 8090 2156

Key Insights

Scott Parsons of Alamos Gold presents at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada 2024 conference

People

‘I’ve seen the good and the bad from the sell side – it’s framed how I approach IR’: Inside IR at Alamos Gold

What does it take to become an award-winning IRO? Scott Parsons, a former sell-side analyst who joined the IR team at Alamos Gold in 2013, working his way up to lead the program, knows that a lot of it is hard work. But successful IR is also about honing your organizational skills, your people skills and your ability to package up the company story in a way that makes it work for investors and analysts. Here, we dive into the IR program at Alamos Gold to hear about everything from the sell-side to IR learning curve, the way ESG conversations…

January 29, 2025

Seen

People

The CFO: Gord Nelson of Cineplex on how strategy, growth and transparency can get you into the C-suite

Speaking to Gord Nelson, CFO of Cineplex, you get a real feel for why he’s so good at what he does. For him, a successful finance chief needs much more than technical skills – they need those personal qualities that really connect with investors and bring the company story to life. As we chat, Ellis Jacob, the firm’s CEO, pops in to ask Nelson a question. This is indicative of the close-knit relationship enjoyed by the company’s senior management has – perhaps because they’ve been through ups and downs, listings and market growth, near-buyouts and pandemics together

November 1, 2024

Seen

Best Practices

Small (and a mid) caps hit big: Aecon, Calian and TransAlta take three apiece at the IR Impact Awards – Canada 2025

In an event packed with the highest achieving IR teams in Canada, it was two small-cap companies and a mid-cap firm that punched hardest, with Aecon Group, Calian Group and TransAlta Corporation each taking home three IR Impact Awards at the black-tie ceremony in Toronto last night. TransAlta took the trophy for best overall investor relations and best investor relations officer for Tamara Cook – both in the mid-cap category – as well as winning its sector award in utilities. The two small-cap companies also won some of the most prestigious awards of the night, with Aecon claiming best overall…

April 4, 2025

Seen

IR benchmarking tool

Instant comparison data at your fingertips. This advanced tool provides real-time analytics comparing your IR program to peers in your region, sector, and cap size. Evaluate your program’s strengths and uncover opportunities for growth with key IR metrics covering:

IR budgets
Team size
Reporting lines
Sell-side analyst coverage
Investor meetings

Fast, intuitive and packed with tailored insights, it’s the ultimate resource for building a smarter, data-driven IR strategy.

Click here to access the IR benchmarking tool

Upcoming events

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Forum – AI & Technology Europe

About the event Stay ahead. Harness AI. Transform IR. In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, AI is transforming how IROs engage with investors, analyze market sentiment and deliver insights. Yet, many IR teams face challenges in understanding and employing these tools effectively. WHEN WHERE America Square Conference Centre, London The…

London, UK

Login to save this event
Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Briefing – The story behind the story: how IR teams prepare for volatile periods

In partnership with WHEN 8.00 am PT / 11.00 am ET / 3.00 pm GMT / 4.00 pm CET DURATION 45 minutes About the event After a tumultuous 12 months in the markets, 2026 appears poised to be dominated by the same macroeconomic factors that defined 2025. The ongoing impacts…

Online

Login to save this event
Thursday, March 19, 2026

Think Tank – West Coast

Our unique format – Exclusively for in-house IRO’s The IR Impact Think Tank – West Coast will take place on Thursday, March 19, 2026 in Palo Alto and is an invitation-only event exclusively for senior IR officers. Our think tanks are free to attend and our unique format enables participants to network extensively, and discuss, debate and dissect…

Palo Alto, US

Login to save this event