Celebrating excellence: AIA Canada announces 2026 industry award winners
Ottawa, February 25, 2026—The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2026 Distinguished Service Award (DSA) and the Young Professionals in the Auto care sector (YPA) Young Leader of the Year Award.
AIA Canada Distinguished Service Award
The AIA Canada Distinguished Service Award is the highest award presented by the Association to an individual member. It recognizes outstanding service and leadership that contributes to the growth and development of Canada’s automotive auto care industry.
AIA Canada is pleased to award the 2026 Distinguished Service Award to Tony Canade.
Tony Canade
Chief Executive Officer, Newmarket Equipment Inc.
Tony Canade is a seasoned automotive industry executive with over three decades of experience in operations, marketing, finance, and strategic growth. He co-founded Assured Automotive in 2005 and, as president and chief operating officer (COO), he helped lead its expansion from three locations to 68 across Ontario, employing more than 900 people.
In 2017, Tony played a key role in the landmark sale of Assured Automotive to The Boyd Group, the largest transaction in Canadian collision repair history. He continued with Boyd Group as president and chief operating officer for eastern Canada before being promoted to COO of Canadian operations, a role he held until his retirement in 2024.
In 2023, Tony acquired Newmarket Equipment Inc., where he currently serves as chief executive officer (CEO). Tony is a past Chair of AIA Canada, a past Chair of CCIF, and a past Director of the AIA Canada Collision Council, reflecting his long-standing commitment to leadership and industry advancement.
Young leader of the Year Award
Each year, the Young Professionals in the Auto Care Sector (YPA) Community recognizes an exceptional young professional who demonstrates leadership, innovation, and dedication to Canada’s auto care industry. The Young Leader of the Year Award celebrates individuals who not only excel in their careers but also contribute to the growth and development of the industry and their communities.
As part of its commitment to fostering the next generation of industry leaders, the YPA Community supports professionals under 45 years of age who are members in good standing of AIA Canada. Through networking opportunities, exclusive events, professional development, and mentorship, the YPA Community empowers young professionals to advance in the auto care sector. This award highlights individuals who embody these values.
It is with great pleasure that we present the 2026 Young Leader of the Year Award to Adam Malik.
Adam Malik
Editor-in-chief, Turnkey Media Solutions, automotive group
Adam Malik is the editor-in-chief at Turnkey Media Solutions and a 20-year veteran of the journalism industry. For nearly a decade, he has been a leading voice in the auto care sector, helming Jobber News, CARS magazine, and AutoServiceWorld.com, while hosting the AutoServiceWorld Conversatrions podcast.
His career spans sports and community newsrooms across Northern Alberta, as well as senior editorial roles in national legal and financial trade publications.
An advocate for the next generation of the trade, Adam serves on the Young Professionals in the Auto Care Sector committee, has been a guest speaker at Georgian College’s Automotive Business School of Canada and is an active contributor to industry dialogue on LinkedIn.
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About the Automotive Industries Association of Canada
We represent, support and lead innovation in Canada’s $43.9 billion auto care sector. With thousands of members from coast to coast, our vision, research, training programs and advocacy supports Canada’s collision and mechanical sectors. Our best practices for the auto care industry help our members keep Canada’s fleet of almost 26.6 million vehicles on the road.
Whether you have been in a collision or require maintenance, our members help vehicles last longer, pollute less and keep drivers safer by offering Canadians any product or service a vehicle may need after it rolls off the dealership’s lot.
For more information, please contact:
AIA Canada Communications
1-800-808-2920, ext. 2285