Family Enterprise of the Year Award (FEYA)

The Family Enterprise of the Year Awards (FEYAs)

Established in 1986, the Family Enterprise of the Year Awards (FEYAs) are given annually by Family Enterprise Canada to celebrate and promote the achievements of Canadian family businesses and the considerable contribution they make to both their local communities and our national economy.

Each year, business families across Canada are nominated and considered for the Family Enterprise of the Year Awards presented at the National FEYA celebration held at Symposium.

Know a family business that deserves to be honoured, maybe even your own? Do they make a big impact in your community, have a great growth story or simply provide an outstanding customer service experience? Is there something that makes them stand out to you in some way? Then please nominate them in one of our five categories today!

What it takes to become Canada’s Top Family Enterprise.

Enterprising Families of the Year

Innovator Group of Winnipeg Manitoba

Congratulations to the National FEYA Recipient, Innovair Group of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and to the Cockshott Family!

Founded in 1946 as a small acetylene gas shop in Winnipeg, Innovair Group has grown over nearly 80 years into Canada’s largest independent supplier of industrial and medical gases, serving hospitals, manufacturers, and communities from coast to coast. The Cockshott family has guided this remarkable journey across four generations. Today, Innovair operates four divisions with nearly 100 employees, built on a culture of lean thinking and continuous improvement, a testament to a family that chose to stay, build, and pass something meaningful forward.

READ THE STORY OF THIS GREAT FAMILY BUSINESS

This Year’s National Finalist from British Columbia

Congratulations to the BC Regional FEYA Recipient, Burrowing Owl Vineyards Ltd.

Founded in 1993 by Jim and Midge Wyse, now led by second-generation CEO Chris Wyse. Their solar-powered estate has raised over $2 million for conservation through on-site wine tastings, provides 150+ local jobs, and exports to nine international markets. Proof that you can build a world-class brand and protect the land it grows on.

This Year’s National Finalist from Ontario

Congratulations to the Ontario Regional FEYA Recipient, VandenBussche Irrigation & Equipment.

Family-owned since 1954. At least 10 employees with 20+ years of service. Multiple generations of families have built their careers here. President Marc VandenBussche received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for contributions to agriculture and community. A business that grows the way the best farms do — deep roots, steady hands.

Do you know a family business that deserves to be recognized?

Are you aware of a family business that has made a big impact in their community? Maybe they have a great success story? Perhaps they simply provide an outstanding customer service experience, or have a long and inspiring family history we can learn from?

Does this sound like a business you know or perhaps even your own family business? Then nominate them for a Family Enterprise of the Year Award!

The FEYA Process

1

Nominations Open

Complete a Nomination Form in any of our 5 FEYA categories.

2

Nominations Processed

Our selection committees for each Award will carefully evaluate all nominations for consideration.

3

Winners Announced

FEYA Winners will be announced and celebrated at our annual Symposium!

Start nominating

Eligibility

To be eligible, nominees must be a Canadian, multi-generational family-owned business defined as a private or public company, organization or holding company, or a designated Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) in good standing, in the case of the Judi Cunningham Award.

Looking for the Nomination Forms?

Complete any of the Nomination Forms.

If you have any questions, please contact us at memberships@familyenterprise.ca.

Previous FEYA Recipients

2023	Zavitz Insurance and Wealth
2022	DriverCheck Inc.
2021	Kalesnikoff
2020	Akhurst Machinery Limited
2019	Regional Group
2018	ATCO Wood Products
2017	Larsen & Shaw
2016	Sutton Financial Group
2015	Morley Hoppner
2014	Capital Iron
2013	Archway Insurance Ltd.
2012	Halifax Seed Company
2011	Saskatoon Funeral Home
2010	Beau’s Natural Brewing Company
2009	The Bragg Group of Companies
2008	O’Regans Automotive
2006	Dollco Printing
2004	Samuel Son & Co. Limited
2002	Cardinal Meat Specialists
1999	Sifton Properties Ltd.
1997	The BC Bearing Group
1996	Byland Nurseries
1995	The Price Family Group
1994	St. Joseph Printing
1993	H.J. Langen & Sons
1992	Duha Colour Services
1991	St. Hubert Bar-B-Q
1990	Rogers Communications Inc.
1989	The Pioneer Group
1988	Tilden Rent-A-Car
1987	The Bentall Group
1986	E.D. Smith & Sons Ltd.

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1.866.849.0099

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