Charles Coffey, executive vice president for government and community affairs of RBC Financial Group, will be presented with the Public Affairs Association of Canada’s ‘Award of Distinction’ at PAAC’s 3rd Annual ‘Art and Science of Public Affairs’ Conference, taking place today in Toronto.

The PAAC ‘Award of Distinction’ is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated skill, innovation and integrity in the field of public affairs. The inaugural award was presented in 2001 to Richard Pound of the International Olympic Committee. Coffey is the second recipient of the award.

Coffey’s work extends beyond RBC to advancing such initiatives as the National Children’s Agenda and working with First Nations in support of their goals of economic development and self-sufficiency.

In presenting the award at a lunch held today at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Andrew Weir of the PAAC Board of Directors said, “Throughout his 40-year career with RBC, Charlie Coffey has not only been a strategic business leader within the bank, but a noble ambassador for it. Charlie’s record is filled with real, meaningful achievements in the community,” Weir continued. “He has a well-earned reputation for ensuring that his practice of public affairs is inclusive and influential. He is a distinguished practitioner of our shared profession and indeed a worthy recipient of the 2002 PAAC Award of Distinction.”