Canucks Autism Network receives $1.1 million at 8th annual Fishing for Kids Tournament

Founding partner The West Coast Fishing Club announced yesterday that the 2013 Fishing for Kids tournament raised a record-breaking $1,173,000 for Canucks Autism Network (CAN), surpassing last year’s million dollar mark.

It was a tie between the two tournament winners, Dwight Jefferson of Macquarie Private Wealth and Colin McIver of Dentons, who caught the two biggest Chinook salmon (33.8 lbs per salmon) in the three-day event winning a cool $200,000 grand prize. In keeping with the tradition and supporting nature of Fishing for Kids, Dwight and Colin donated the entire winnings to Canucks Autism Network contributing to the final amount raised.

The participants returned at YVR South Terminal yesterday from the West Coast Fishing Club located in BC’s northern-most tip Haida Gwaii where Dwight and Colin received the coveted fishing trophy. Nevin Chernick of Macquarie presented the $1.173 million dollar cheque to Canucks Autism Network, received by Vancouver Canucks owner and CAN co-founder Paolo Aquilini and CAN CEO Katy Harandi.

The annual fishing tournament is held at The Clubhouse against the breathtaking backdrop of Haidi Gwaii. The fundraising adventure has now generated over $5 million for BC children’s charities since its inaugural tournament in 2005. High profile attendees this year include: Vancouver Canucks owner Paolo Aquilini; Vancouver Canucks President, GM & Alternate Governor, NHL Mike Gillis; Vice President of Hockey Operations & Assistant General Manager Laurence Gilman; Vancouver Canucks Dale Weise; and Ledcor’s President, Special Projects Scott Lyons; joined by a host of the province’s business and community leaders.

The Fishing for Kids Tournament has come to be recognized as the premier fishing tournament in the Pacific Northwest and is made possible thanks to the generous support of its sponsors, including Macquarie, The West Coast Fishing Club, Vancouver Canucks, Ledcor Group of Companies, Helijet, Aria Resort & Casino, The Province and Vancouver Sun, Helly Hansen and Delta Group. Leading BC companies from a range of industries share a common goal to raise much-needed funds for families and children living with autism in BC.