Seven Ontario CAs among 2005 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100

Toronto (November 30, 2005) - The presence of seven Chartered Accountants on the 2005 Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 list shows the empowering nature of the designation. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario is pleased that so many of its members were recognized at the Women's Executive Network's (WXN) 3rd Annual Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ Awards and Summit on Thursday, November 24. The Keynote Speaker at the breakfast event - Chartered Accountant Barbara Stymiest, Chief Operating Officer, RBC Financial Group - was elected as a Fellow by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario for her career achievements and contributions to the community in 1997.

"By becoming a Chartered Accountant, these professional achievers have earned respect and recognition, and have used it to make a big impact at senior levels of Canada's business community," said Brian Hunt, FCA, President and CEO of the Institute, "It's no wonder that today, more than half of graduating CAs are women. For anyone considering a career in business, the CA designation opens doors to a world of opportunity across a range of sectors."

WXN is dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in Canada's workplaces. Under its auspices, the Top 100 are chosen by an independent advisory board. Award winners are recognized in the following categories: Corporate Executives; Entrepreneurs; Public Sector Leaders; Trailblazers; Champions; Professionals; Future Leaders.

The Ontario Chartered Accountants on the 2005 Top 100 List, in the "Corporate Executives" category are:

Janice Fukakusa, CA, Chief Financial Officer, RBC Financial Group, Royal Bank of Canada
Marianne Harrison, CA, Executive Vice-President and Controller, Manulife Financial
Colleen Johnston, CA, Executive Vice-President, Finance Operations, TD Bank Financial Group
Karen Maidment, FCA, Senior Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, BMO Financial Group
Barbara Stymiest, FCA, Chief Operating Officer, Royal Bank of Canada

The Ontario Chartered Accountant in the "Public Sector: Municipalities" category is:

Janice Baker, CA, City Manager, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Mississauga

The Ontario Chartered Accountant in the "Professionals" category is:

Karen Meades, CA, Chief Financial Officer, University of Ottawa Heart Institute

The Institute is also proud to be associated with, as a sponsor, Youth in Motion, whose Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer Akela Peoples, also made the 2005 list under the Champions category.

"Ontario's 31,000 CAs salute all 100 of the winners of the Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ Awards and the WXN for promoting this worthy event," said Hunt. " We look forward to CAs continuing to enjoy their prominence on this list - and in Canadian workplaces."

About the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario:
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario is the qualifying and regulatory body of Ontario's 31,000 CAs and 3,500 CA students. Since 1879, the Institute has protected the public interest through the CA profession's high standards of qualification and the enforcement of its rules of professional conduct.

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For more information please contact:
Perry Jensen
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario
Direct: 416-969-4271
Toll free: 1-800-387-0735 ext. 271
E-mail: pjensen@icao.on.ca