The leading Canadian lobby group for business in Latin America and the Caribbean presented former President Leonel Fernandez with their Statesman of the Year Award during the Annual Awards Dinner on 20 September 2012 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The organization describes itself as the principal private sector link between Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. As a networking and information vehicle, the CCA's primary objective is to stimulate the expansion of Canadian commercial interests in the markets of the countries of the region.

The Fernandez administration was a strong supporter of Canadian mining ventures in the Dominican Republic. Barrick Gold was a main corporate sponsor of the event.

Upon awarding Fernandez the CCA Award, chair of the organization, Kenneth N. Frankel described the performance of the Dominican economy under Fernandez as impressive.

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