Canada Company scholarships

Yesterday morning, a unique group of young Canadians were given the opportunity to open the Toronto Stock Exchange. Unfortunately, I had a conflicting work meeting, or I would have been there personally to watch and document the event, congratulate them, and offer my condolences for their sacrifice.

Canada Company paid tribute today to fallen Canadian Forces personnel by presenting seven surviving offspring with scholarships of up to $16,000 each - up to $4,000 per year for the next four years to each - to help defray the costs of their post secondary education.

Blake Goldring, Chairman of Canada Company and Chairman and CEO, AGF Management Limited, along with Gerry McCaughey, President and CEO, CIBC, presented the scholarship awards.

"I am both honoured and proud to be sharing the stage today with these fine young men and women," said Blake Goldring. "This initiative is about Canadians showing support to our military and their families and helping to ensure that their loved ones are taken care of. Canada Company provides the means for business and individuals alike to show that we care and to support the men and women who put their lives on the line. The scholarships we are presenting today are just one example of our ongoing commitment."

Here's a list of those who received the awards:

The 2009 / 10 recipients of Canada Company's educational scholarship fund awards are:

• Scott Senecal, 24 - from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan is attending Lethbridge College where he is enrolled in the business management program. He is also a recent graduate of the Criminal Justice Diploma program at Lethbridge College.


• Adam Naismith, 18 - from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan is planning to join the Canadian Forces as a fighter pilot and is attending the University of Saskatchewan for education and psychology.


• Kirsten Hess-vonKruedener, 21 - from Kingston, Ontario is attending McMaster University in communications studies and French.


• Natasha Roberge, 18 - from Hamner, Ontario is attending Laurentian University in Sudbury studying English and Music in the hopes of becoming a secondary school teacher.


• Michel Girouard, 22 - from Pembroke, Ontario is a recent graduate of the Royal Military College in Kingston and is now a serving officer in the Canadian Forces. He is posted to 1 Wing Headquarters in Kingston Ontario, where he is employed in the operations cell.


• Jocelyn Ranger, 24 - from Pembroke, Ontario is attending Algonquin College where she is enrolled in the business program.


• Myriam Mercier, 19 - from Quebec City, Quebec is enrolled at the Cégep de Sainte-Foy. She is planning to continue her education and is interested in attending a nursing program.

Bravo Zulu to all involved: the TSX, Canada Company, and of course the recipients of the honour.