Last night Investor Relations magazine, in association with The Globe and Mail, honoured Canadian companies and executives that have exhibited the highest standard of investor relations as judged by the Canadian investment community.

Canadian National Railway and Bombardier shared the CIRI Grand Prix for best overall investor relations in the mega cap category (over $10 billion market cap), and CN also won for best investor relations by a CEO (Paul Tellier), best investor relations officer (Robert Noorigian), best financial media relations and best corporate governance.

Other multiple winners included Alberta Energy Company and Open Text Corporation, both of which won in four categories.

“Investor relations is a practice growing both in numbers and in importance among publicly-traded companies,” said Anthony Parish, North American editor, Investor Relations magazine. “The investor relations function continues to play an integral role in Canadian companies and these awards provide an opportunity for the investment community to recognize those companies that have exhibited the highest standard of investor relations in Canada.”

Several companies in the financial services industry received awards or honourable mentions.

Clarica Life Insurance Co. received an hounorable mention for best overall investor relations among companies with a market cap between $1 billion and $10 billion.

Kingsway Financial received multiple honours. It was top rated for best overall investor relations among companies with a market cap between $300 million and $1 billion, and best investment community meetings. It received honourable mentions for best senior mangement communications, and best use of conferencing.

Royal Bank received a top rating for best financial reporting. It earned honourable mentions for best investor relations officer, best IR Web site, best communications with the retail market, and best corporate governance.

John Hunkin of CIBC received an hounourable mention in the category of best investor relations by a CEO. The bank was also honoured for corporate governance.

TD Financial received honourable mentions in the categories of best financial media relations, and best investor relations during a takeover.