I rise today to honour the success of two Newfoundland and Labrador companies that have earned the designation of Canada�s 50 Best Managed Companies. These companies are G.J. Cahill Limited located in St. John�s, and Coleman�s Food Stores based in Corner Brook.

Being named as one of the 50 best managed companies in the country is no small achievement. These companies competed with Canada�s best to be recognized in the top 50. In order to be recognized, G.J. Cahill Limited and Coleman�s Food Stores were evaluated based on three areas that impact sustainable growth: strategy, capability, and commitment. Companies must demonstrate their ability to hire the right people, set challenging goals for employees, and create flexible compensation packages in addition to a number of other criteria.

G. J. Cahill Limited was established in 1953 as an electrical contracting company, and has evolved into one of the largest multi-disciplinary construction organizations in Atlantic Canada. The company has offices in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and employs over 100 full-time staff with a peak workforce in excess of 500 tradespeople. GJ Cahill has been involved with all major industrial projects in Atlantic Canada providing construction, electrical, instrumentation and mechanical services.

In 1934, Arthur James and Margaret Coleman established their first store in a four-room schoolhouse on Broadway in Corner Brook. Since that time, the Coleman Group of Companies has grown to include a retail food division, wholesale division, retail furniture, restaurant and clothing store, employing over 600 individuals throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

On March 6, my colleague the Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment had the opportunity to attend the awards presentation for these two companies. G.J. Cahill and Coleman Food Centres clearly have the leadership, the talent, and the management skills to provide superior services to their clients and customers each and every day.

I congratulate G.J. Cahill and Coleman Food Centres, and the Cahill and Coleman families, on being named in the top 50 best managed companies in Canada.

2007 05 16                                                   2:25 p.m.