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Geza Banfai (right) receives the 2024 CCA Pinnacle Leader Award from PCL’s Mike Wieninger during the 2025 CCA conference in Quebec City. (Photo courtesy of CCA)
The Canadian construction industry’s best and brightest were front and centre at the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) National Awards ceremony, held during the association’s annual conference, last week in Quebec City. Presented by Northbridge Insurance, award recipients have all made exceptional contributions to the Canadian construction industry.
Geza Banfai was honoured with the Pinnacle Leader Award, sponsored by PCL Construction. An advocate for the Canadian construction industry for over 40 years, Banfai’s commitment to legal reform, mentorship and the advancement of industry best practices, promotes collaboration and efficiency in project execution, and helps the industry navigate challenges in an evolving legal landscape, stated CCA.
The Environmental Achievement Award, sponsored by CHUBB Insurance Company of Canada, went to PCL Construction for its Fairmont Royal York Decarbonization Project, which transformed a heritage building to meet modern environmental goals.
A deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility earned the Construction Association of Nova Scotia the CCA’s 2024 Workforce Excellence Award, sponsored by RAISE Underwriting.
Another association, the Calgary Construction Association, was recognized with the CCA 2024 Partner Association Award, sponsored by Bockstael Construction. Affectionately known as “Little CCA,” the Calgary association’s priority on services and focus areas that its members need, such as dedicated public and media relations, advocacy and workforce strategies, as well as new membership engagement events and activities, were cited as reasons for their selection.
General contracting and construction management services company Westcor Construction Ltd., received the 2024 Gold Seal Award, sponsored by Travelers Canada, in recognition of its people-first culture, empowering its people to reach their full potential as it promotes Gold Seal certification as a recognized standard of excellence.
Anthony DeVito, an estimator with Oakridge Landscape Contractors, was awarded the 2024 Young Leader Award, sponsored by McMillan LLP. A passionate advocate for the construction industry, CCA explained that DeVito has spearheaded multiple initiatives to address skilled labour shortages, earning the respect of colleagues and industry peers in just over a decade in the industry.
The Community Leader Award, sponsored by Marsh Canada Limited, went to Groupe AGF. The company, which was founded by the Gendron family in 1948, specializes in reinforcing steel and post-tensioning. It has a significant focus on community involvement and fosters a culture of philanthropy as an integral part of corporate life. The company has donated over $4.5 million to causes across Canada and has supported more than 750 employee-led fundraising events since its Foundation’s inception.
Enviro-Ex Contracting received the CCA 2024 Excellence in Innovation Award, sponsored by Intact Surety, for its Highway 97 Cottonwood Hill Phase Two Slide project, which overcame extraordinary geotechnical challenges, setting new standards for efficiency, safety and environmental responsibility.
And, with zero fatalities in the past three years and an extraordinary 16.7 million hours worked without a lost-time incident, PCL Construction earned the CCA 2024 National Safety Award, sponsored by Vipond Inc.
“This year’s award recipients demonstrate the best of the best of our industry,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, president of the CCA. “Congratulations to everyone for the recognition of their great achievements.”
CCA represents more than 18,000 member firms drawn from 57 local and provincial integrated partner associations across Canada. The call for nominations for next year’s awards will open in the fall.