The Exempt Market Dealers Association of Canada (EMDA) Monday announced the winners of the 2012 EMDA Awards – Exempt Market Deals of the Year.

The awards, which are intended to promote best practices and high standards of conduct in the exempt market, will be handed out following the 2012 EMDA Exempt Market Conference in Toronto on June 26.

Bloom Burton & Co. won Healthcare Deal of the Year for the YM Biosciences Inc. financing syndicate.

IBK Capital Corp. won Mining Deal of the Year for the financing acquisition for Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. and establishing partnership with Franco-Nevada.

Crosbie & Company Inc. won Financial Industry Deal of the Year for the Desjardins Credit Union merger with Meridian Credit Union.

Loewen & Partners Inc. won Family Business & Growth Capital Deal of the Year for facilitating the sale of a significant investment in Bermingham Construction Ltd. to Soletanche Freyssinet, a VINCI group company.

Precipice Capital won Private Equity Deal of the Year for the acquisition of U.S. owned service vessel fleet in Atlantic Canada.

Walton International Group Inc. won Real Estate Deal of the Year for the Walton DC Land Limited Partnership, a syndication of U.S. land assets.

Petrocapita Oil and Gas LP won Oil and Gas Deal of the Year for the commodity linked investment fund.

The nominees were evaluated based on their contribution to the deal, their vision, industry leadership, market innovation, impact, and the benefits of the deal for the issuer and for investors. The award selection committee was comprised of independent members of the EMDA board of directors.

“In 2011, more than $140 billion of capital was raised in the exempt market across Canada and the EMDA is proud to start recognizing and celebrating some of the leaders driving the success of the exempt market,” said Geoffrey Ritchie, EMDA executive director.

“This year is the beginning of an annual celebration of excellence and leadership in Canada’s exempt market,” he added.