TORONTO — One of Canada’s most inspirational businessmen received yet another standing ovation from his peers as he accepted the most prestigious award in the trucking industry.

John Cyopeck — CEO of Canpar Transport, vice-chair of the Ontario Trucking Association and Chairman of the Canadian Trucking Alliance — was presented with the 2005 Trailmobile Service to the Industry Award at the 79th annual Ontario Trucking Association’s 79th annual convention.

The Trailmobile Service to Industry Award honors an individual who, by their commitment, vision, leadership and unstinting service, has made an outstanding contribution to the development and success of the truck transportation industry. The award is a beautiful charcoal portrait of the recipient.

Cyopeck, 61, has spent almost 50 years in the in the industry and is one of the most well-respected members of the Canadian carrier community. He is widely credited with engineering the turnaround at parcel delivery firm Canpar in the 1990s before it was purchased by the TransForce Income Fund in 2002.

“I don’t know what to say,” Cyopeck told the crowd as he accepted the award. “All of you have delivered my dream.”

While Cyopeck has surmounted a lot in the business world, he’s currently in the middle of his biggest challenge yet — a fight with brain cancer.

In February, Cyopeck underwent surgery at the Trillium Health Centre. This past summer, with the help of others in the trucking industry, he raised $1.3 million for the Centre’s new MRI clinic.

In 1999 Cyopeck received the Award of Lifetime Achievement, presented to Canadian business leaders who have dedicated their careers to the field of transportation and in the process have made a significant contribution to the industry. And in 2000 he was the first ever recipient of the Courier Executive of the Year Award presented by the Canadian Courier Association.

“Everyone in the industry has been inspired by John,” says David Bradley, president of the OTA and CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance. “Not just because his fundraising campaign was so successful but because it is so typical of him. He is emblematic of the generosity of spirit of the trucking industry.”

Over the years Canpar has supported dozens of charities and road safety initiatives, including The Children’s Wish Foundation, Child Find, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the R.I.D.E Campaign, Reach for the Rainbow, Toshiba Breath of Life Challenge, and Heather Funston Memorial Scholarship.