The Automotive Industries Association of Canada has named Tony Canade as the 2026 recipient of its Distinguished Service Award, the association’s highest honour for individual members.
The award recognizes outstanding service and leadership that contribute to the growth and development of Canada’s automotive auto care industry.
AIA Canada represents, supports and leads innovation in Canada’s $43.9 billion auto care sector, serving thousands of members from coast to coast. Through research, training programs and advocacy, the association supports the collision and mechanical sectors and promotes best practices to help keep Canada’s fleet of nearly 26.6 million vehicles on the road.
Canade currently serves as chief executive officer of Newmarket Equipment Inc.. A seasoned automotive executive with more than three decades of experience in operations, marketing, finance and strategic growth, he has held senior leadership roles across the collision repair industry.
In 2005, Canade co-founded Assured Automotive and, as president and chief operating officer, helped guide its expansion from three locations to 68 repair centres across Ontario, employing more than 900 people.
In 2017, he played a key role in the sale of Assured Automotive to The Boyd Group, described as the largest transaction in Canadian collision repair history. Following the acquisition, Canade remained with Boyd Group as president and chief operating officer for eastern Canada before being promoted to chief operating officer of Canadian operations. He held that role until retiring in 2024.
In 2023, Canade acquired Newmarket Equipment Inc., where he now serves as CEO.
Beyond his executive roles, Canade has been active in industry leadership. He is a past chair of AIA Canada, a past chair of the Canadian Collision Industry Forum and a past director of the AIA Canada Collision Council.
The Distinguished Service Award highlights individuals whose leadership and commitment have advanced the auto care sector. Canade’s decades-long involvement in operations, growth strategy and industry governance reflect that mandate, recognizing a career that has helped shape Canada’s collision repair landscape.
