Mark Toljagic was named Canadian Automotive Journalist of the Year during the 40th annual Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) Automobile Journalism Awards at the Harmony Events Centre in Oshawa, Ont., on Oct. 17. Jil McIntosh was the runner-up this year.
Canadian auto dealer’s Perry Lefko won the prestigious AJAC Environmental Journalism Award in 2022, which is one of the many award categories.
“Journalists who work hard every day to bring to their audience stories that showcase the highs and lows of the Canadian auto industry, stories that bring their audience to new roads and new parts of the world, and stories that can help make Canadian road users safer every day,” said Evan Williams, President of AJAC, in a statement.
The award, which was inaugurated in 1984 by John Mackie (Past-President of Jaguar Canada), aims to reward excellence in automotive journalism. This year it was presented by Jaguar Land Rover Canada, as they have been doing for the past 38 years.
“In addition to being extremely well researched, Mark (Toljagic’s) work wove in clever cultural references that created unique appeal beyond the traditional automotive enthusiast reader,” said Taylor Hoel, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at JLR Canada, in a statement.
The full list of awards and recipients are listed below:
AJAC Journalist of the Year presented by JLR Canada
Winner: Mark Toljagic
Runner Up: Jil McIntosh
Wakefield Castrol Awards for Automotive Writing
Technical Topics
Winner: Jil McIntosh
Runner Up: Jay Kana
Vehicle Review
Winner: Jeff Wilson
Runner Up: Evan Williams
Feature Writing Award presented by Subaru Canada
Winner: Stephanie Wallcraft
Runner Up: Elle Alder
Environmental Journalism Award presented by Hyundai Canada
Winner: Elle Alder
Runner Up: Mark Toljagic
Photography Award presented by Mazda Canada
Winner, Published: Jeff Wilson
Runner Up, Published: Kyle Patrick
Winner, Unpublished: Jodi Lai
Runner Up, Unpublished: Russell Purcell
Road Safety Journalism Award presented by Volvo Car Canada
Winner: Matthew Guy
Runner Up: Nadine Filion
Best Video Journalism Award presented by Kia
Winner: Jodi Lai
Runner Up: Stephen Elmer
Adventure and Travel Writing Award presented by Genesis
Winner: Evan Williams
Runner Up: Matthew Guy
Business Writing Award presented by Kal Tire
Winner: Mark Toljagic
Runner Up: Lorraine Sommerfeld
