Canadian Blood Services and TransAlta Tie as Overall Winner of 2009 National Awards in Governance

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 10, 2009) -

Editors note: Three videos are included with this press release on Marketwire's website.

For the first time, two organizations will share the overall award for their governance achievements. Canadian Blood Services and TransAlta tied as the overall winners of The Conference Board of Canada/Spencer Stuart 2009 National Awards in Governance.

This is the first tie for the overall winner in the nine-year history of the awards program, which is selected from the sectoral award winners. Calgary-based TransAlta and Ottawa-based Canadian Blood Services also won the private sector and public sector awards, respectively. The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority won the award in the not-for-profit category.

"Today's crisis of confidence is one of unparalleled lack of trust among lenders, customers, employees, and the general public. When we say that trust is at the heart of the financial crisis, it is an understatement, making the governance challenge even greater," said Anne Golden, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Conference Board of Canada and co-chair of the awards program. "Among this year's winners and top contenders are boards that have played a transformative role in building and rebuilding trust in their organizations."

"Superior governance is vital to any organization's sustained success. These awards distinguish themselves by recognizing achievement in three sectors central to the Canadian economy," said Andrew MacDougall, President of Spencer Stuart Canada and co-chair of the awards program. "An overarching dimension of the awards is that the boards have demonstrably achieved 'something important' in the context of the success and sustainability of their organizations."

The board of Canadian Blood Services, which operates Canada's national blood system (outside of Quebec), won for its transformative role of rebuilding public trust following the failure of the blood supply system in Canada. The board has focused not only on building an effective organization, but on fostering a commitment to performance measurement and strategic management.

Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) operates six casinos in Saskatchewan. Formed in 1996 as a non-profit organization, 65 per cent of its 2000 employees are First Nations. SIGA's governance and operations are grounded in the organization's five guiding principles, allowing SIGA to retain its identity and culture as a First Nations business.

TransAlta is Canada's largest investor-owned wholesale power generator and marketing company. TransAlta's board is being recognized for its leadership in managing risk. It has been instrumental in ensuring that risk management is both a systematic process and a key element of TransAlta's corporate culture and board decision making.

In addition to the winners in each category, top contenders are also being recognized.

Private sector

- SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. (Montreal)

- Talisman Energy Inc. (Calgary)

Public Sector

- Athabasca University (Athabasca, Alberta)

- Business Development Bank of Canada (Montreal)

- OMERS Administration Corporation (Toronto)

Not-for-profit sector

- The Ottawa Hospital (Ottawa)

- STARS (Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society)

- St John's Rehab Hospital (Toronto)

Gil Bennett Gold Standard Award

- Andy Poprawa, President & CEO, Deposit Insurance Corporation of Ontario

The winning governance achievements will be featured at the Conference Board's 2009 Corporate Governance Conference: New Risk, Accountability and Leadership Challenges, on May 6-7 in Toronto.

Technorati: Governance awards   Canadian Blood Services   TransAlta   Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority   Spencer