Bank of Canada Announces the Recipients of Its 2010 Law Enforcement Award of Excellence for Counterfeit Deterrence

The Bank of Canada is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2010 Law Enforcement Award of Excellence for Counterfeit Deterrence. The award was established in 2004 to recognize the work of Canadian law-enforcement personnel in deterring and preventing the counterfeiting of Canada's bank notes.

This year, the Bank is presenting two awards – one recognizing outstanding enforcement efforts, and the other recognizing an exceptional contribution in the area of crime prevention.

RCMP Sergeant Susan MacLean and Corporal Tim Laurence, representing all members of the Integrated Counterfeit Enforcement Team in Greater Toronto, are being honoured for their role in dismantling a major counterfeiting operation. Their efforts resulted in the seizure of $4.2 million in counterfeit Canadian $20 bank notes before they could be put into circulation.

Sergeant Jean-Marc Michaud, of the Sûreté du Québec in Montréal, is being honoured for his commitment and dedication to the prevention of counterfeiting over a career spanning 25 years.

"It is commonly accepted that modern policing involves not only the detection, but also the prevention of crime. The winners of this year's award have captured that essence," said Gerry Gaetz, Chief of the Currency Department, "and the Bank of Canada wishes to congratulate these officers for the very positive contributions they have made towards maintaining confidence in Canada's currency."

The recipients of the Bank of Canada's 2010 Law Enforcement Award of Excellence for Counterfeit Deterrence received their awards during the annual conference of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police in Edmonton.

Note to Editors:

A photo from the awards ceremony is available on Canada NewsWire.