Family Enterprise of the Year Award (FEYA)
Established in 1986, the Family Enterprise of the Year Award (FEYA) is 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 recognized as Regional FEYA recipients. Each regional Recipient is then considered for the National Family Enterprise of the Year Award chosen by a Selection Committee and presented at the National FEYA celebration held at Symposium.
Congratulations to the 2022 Regional Family Enterprise of the Year Award Recipients!
Scroll down to meet them…
Announcing our 2022 BC Region Family Enterprise of the Year Award Recipient
Congratulations to this year’s recipient, Cove Continuity Advisors Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia and the Geiss family!
Cove was founded in 1990 by Bernie Geiss to provide accountable and transparent life, disability and critical illness insurance advice and products to Canadian individuals and businesses. Starting from a spare bedroom of the family home, Cove is now a highly respected leader in the insurance industry whose family and business values are inseparable and have evolved out of their commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
Announcing our 2022 Prairies Region Family Enterprise of the Year Award Recipient
Congratulations to this year’s recipient, Vesta Wealth Partners Ltd. of Calgary, Alberta and the Fortmuller family!
The company has a rich history dating back to Germany in the late 1800’s and continues to be managed by members of the family today. Vesta Wealth Partners is the most current family project. The vision of Max Fortmuller, CEO and a fifth-generation family member, was to create a wealth management platform to build the family’s human capital and experience as owners and managers, as stewards of wealth and as innovators. The Vesta platform enables family members to pursue their individual and collective passions inside and beyond Vesta.
Announcing our 2022 Ontario Region Family Enterprise of the Year Award Recipient
Congratulations to this year’s recipient, DriverCheck Inc. of Ayr, Ontario and to the Page family!
DriverCheck is Canada’s “Fitness for Duty” expert and a leading provider of workplace medical testing and assessments. Founded in 1996 to provide drug and alcohol testing to the trucking industry, the company has experienced incredible success, growing from one employee to over 300, from one client to over 6,000, and from one drug test to millions of tests performed.
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? Do they create a positive working environment for both family and non-family employees? Or maybe they have that special “X Factor.”
Does this sound like a business you know? Perhaps even your family business? Nominate them for the Family Enterprise of the Year Award.
NOTE: Nominations have now closed for 2022 FEYA.
FEYA Process
Complete the FEYA Nomination Form by August 31 (now closed).
Eligible family businesses can download and submit a FEYA Application Form by October 3 (now closed).
Regional FEYA Finalists will be announced in December. Please join us in congratulating them!
Regional FEYA Recipients and the National FEYA winner will be honored at Symposium 2023 in Ottawa.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must be a family-owned business defined as a private or public company, organization or holding company that has the following characteristics:
- Canadian
- Employs family members
- Multi-generational (now or in the future)
Looking for the forms?
If you know a family business that deserves recognition, complete the Nomination Form by August 31, 2022 (now closed).
If you are a family business owner and want to apply OR your business has been nominated, download and complete a FEYA Application Form and email to FEYA@FamilyEnterprise.ca by October 3, 2022 (now closed).
Congratulations Kalesnikoff, recipient of the 2021 National Family Enterprise of the Year Award
Thank you so much for this accolade — it’s really amazing! My dad would be really proud.
Ken Kalesnikoff
President of Kalesnikoff
Family Enterprise of the Year Award Recipients
| 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. |