By Mark Cardwell
On June 7, the Chairman, as well as the President and CEO of Port of Sept-Îles attended a ceremony at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, to accept a Special Award for Support to the Reserve Force from the Canadian Forces Liaison Council. The award was presented to Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO, at the Council’s Tenth Biennial National Employer Support Awards. The awards are held to recognize government organizations, companies, and educational institutions for their support of primary reserve units. The Port was nominated for the award by the commanding officer of the Naval Reserve unit in Sept-Îles (HMCS Jolliet), Lieutenant-Commander François Lévesque. Similar awards were presented to 19 organizations from across Canada, including business and academic institutions, recognized for their outstanding support to Canadian Armed Forces Reserve members.
The Port had previously been awarded the Canadian Forces Liaison Council Provincial Awards in March, in recognition and appreciation of its support of the Reserve Forces.
According to a press release issued by the unit, the port has been a strong supporter and promoter of the unit in the region for many years. The two organizations held a meet-and-greet a week after the Ottawa ceremony to celebrate the Port’s winning of the national award.