The Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada Announces the Nine Finalists in the 2013 "The Aces of Finance" Competition

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwire - March 26, 2013) - The Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada, an all-industry professional association for senior financial executives, is proud to announce the nine finalists in the "The Aces of Finance" competition. This year held under the honorary chairmanship of Mr. Réjean Robitaille, President and Chief Executive Officer of Laurentian Bank, this competition is open to all chief financial officers, vice presidents of finance and senior financial executives in Quebec, whether or not they are members of FEI Canada. For the third consecutive year, this initiative will recognize the professional accomplishments and community involvement of three stellar financial executives. The winners will be announced during a gala event in Montreal this coming May 8.

"The Aces of Finance" competition not only honours financial executives who have demonstrated excellence in their career; it also underlines the crucial strategic role they play for their presidents and the contributions they make to their company's performance. Members of the organizing committee reviewed all candidates before selecting the following nine finalists from various sectors:

"Public corporation" category:

• Mr. Alexandre L'Heureux, CFA, CPA, CA, Chief Financial Officer, GENIVAR Inc.
• Mr. Raymond Paré, MBA, CPA, CA, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
• Mr. Jean-François Pruneau, M. Sc., CFA, Chief Financial Officer, Quebecor Inc. and Quebecor Media Inc.

"Private corporation, including crown corporation" category:

• Mr. Daniel Arguin, CPA, CA, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Pomerleau Inc.
• Mr. Marc-André Dufort, LL.M., CPA, CA, Vice President Treasury, Risk and Capital Projects, Cirque du Soleil
• Mr. Marc Lapierre, CPA, CA, Vice President, Finance and Administration, Groupe Deschênes Inc.

"Emerging financial executive" category:

• Mr. Philippe Castaigne, MBA, Controller, Natural World Distribution
• Ms. Isabelle Tourigny, CPA, CA, Financial Manager, Groupe Béton Brunet
• Mr. Jimmy Vachon, CPA, CA, Director of Tax, Dessau Inc.

The three winners will be selected by an independent jury, following an interview with each candidate.

As part of "The Aces of Finance" competition, the Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada will also have the pleasure of presenting the Homage Award for the second year. This award recognizes a financial executive who had an exceptional career and contributed to the finance profession being a source of inspiration to his peers. This year's recipient is Mr. André Imbeau, Founder, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board and Corporate Secretary, Groupe CGI Inc. Mr. Imbeau will be honored during "The Aces of Finance" gala event.

"This contest promotes peer recognition, a powerful tool to show the energy and vitality of our profession, which role continues to evolve and remain very important within organizations," says Mr. Carl Gauvreau, President, Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada.

Members of the greater finance and business community (whether or not they are members of FEI Canada) are invited to celebrate our finalists and honour the winners when their names are officially announced during "The Aces of Finance" gala event on May 8. For more information about this event and to reserve your seats, please visit the Quebec Chapter's page on the FEI Canada website: www.feicanada.org/quebec.

About Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada)

Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada) or Dirigeants financiers internationaux du Canada (DFI Canada) is the all-industry professional association for senior financial executives. With 11 chapters across Canada and 1,800 members, FEI Canada provides professional development, thought leadership and advocacy services to its members. The Quebec Chapter currently counts 185 members. The association's membership, which consists of chief financial officers, audit committee directors and senior executives in the finance, controller, treasury and taxation functions, represents a significant number of Canada's leading and most influential corporations. Further information can be found at www.feicanada.org/quebec.