AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
RCC’s Canadian Grand Prix Awards of Distinction recognize senior executives who have demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to the Canadian grocery industry. Award recipients reflect the industry’s spirit of community and demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation, both in the products their company offers to consumers and the leadership they provide within their organization.
2025 WINNERS
Lifetime Achievement
Award Winner
Carmen Fortino, Executive Vice President, National Supply Chain and Procurement for METRO Inc.
Carmen Fortino’s leadership at METRO is grounded in decades of experience across Canadian grocery and international health and wellness sectors. He began his career in his family’s grocery business, building a deep understanding of Ontario’s retail landscape, and later held senior leadership roles with another major national retailer before joining the METRO team.
Lifetime Achievement
Award Winner
Gary Wade, President of Unilever Canada and CEO of Beauty & Wellbeing, North America
Over his past 30 years with Unilever, Gary has played a pivotal role in the company’s success—culminating in his appointment as President of Unilever Canada in 2017, where he has been instrumental in driving consistent growth, expanding market share, and strengthening the presence of Unilever’s trusted brands across the Canadian marketplace.
AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals or families who have demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to the Canadian retail and grocery industries. They have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to their companies’ growth, and to the communities they serve.
Trailblazer Award
The Canadian Grand Prix Trailblazer Award recognizes individuals or families who have demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to the Canadian retail and grocery industries, spearheaded historic, transformational change in their sectors, and exhibited both passion and courage in their leadership.
2024
Michael Medline
Empire Company Ltd. and Sobeys Inc.
Dino Bianco
Kruger Products
2023
Serge Boulanger
METRO Inc.
John Pigott
Morrison Lamothe Inc. and Club Coffee L.P.
2022
Margaret Hudson
President & CEO, Burnbrae Farms
Darrell Jones
President, Save-On-Foods
2019
Donald and David Sobey
Chair Emeriti, Sobeys
2018
Cindy Lee and Tina Lee
Founder and CEO,
T&T Supermarket
2017
Anthony Longo
President and CEO,
Longo’s
KEY CONTACTS:
- Product Registration: Pierre Chartier at pchartier@retailcouncil.org
- Sponsorship: RCC Sponsorship team at rccsponsorship@retailcouncil.org
- General Inquiries: RCC Events team at events@retailcouncil.org