Investment Executive reporter Fiona Collie has been awarded third prize by the Portfolio Management Association of Canada (PMAC), which Thursday announced the winners of its third annual PMAC Awards for Excellence in Investment Journalism (the PMAC Awards).

Collie’s winning feature, “Planning for Special Needs,” offers financial advisors a comprehensive guide to planning for investors with special needs family members, an important but infrequently covered topic. It ran in the July 2013 issue of Investment Executive.

Launched in 2011, the PMAC Awards are intended to reward the best in Canadian newspaper, magazine and online journalism; foster a better understanding of the investment industry, its products and services and improve financial literacy in Canada.

The winners were selected from 31 French and English entries from 13 unique publications. The independent judges’ panel includes a experienced professionals from both the fields of journalism and investment/financial services.

The prizes will be presented at an investment industry event in Toronto on June 16.

Bryan Borzykowski, a freelance reporter, won first prize for the Canadian Business Investor’s Guide 2014, a comprehensive resource covering a range of topics useful for novice and savvy investors.

David Aston won second prize for “What’s your magic number” and “Slaying the inflation dragon” in MoneySense, and “How to invest your first $100,000,” “Got $400,000 to invest, it’s time to consider a broker” and “What to look for when investing a $1 million” in the Globe and Mail. The articles provide readers wrestling with common retirement and investment questions with practical advice.

“The winning works all go above and beyond to provide thoughtful and substantive articles on topical issues of interest to investors at different stages of life,” says Katie Walmsley, PMAC president.