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News Release
October 16, 2006

Panel to Select the Recipients of the Inaugural Francophonie Awards

TORONTO – An independent five-member panel met on Monday, October 16^th to select the winners of the first Francophonie Awards. Created by the government of Ontario, these new awards will recognize individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Ontario's Francophone community.

"With the Francophonie Awards, the government of Ontario is officially recognizing individuals whose exceptional efforts have helped the province's French community grow and prosper," said the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. "I am very pleased by the number of nominations that have been received. Ontario's Francophone community is prospering. Now is the time to celebrate the commitment of these individuals to Ontario's Francophone community."

Reflecting Ontario's geographic, demographic, cultural, and professional diversity, the selection panel consists of:

• Kenneth McRoberts, Principal, Glendon College, Toronto
• Maxim Jean-Louis, President, Contact North
• Marielle Beaulieu, Executive Director, Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
• Marie Larose, Former President, Club canadien of Toronto and VP, Pollara Inc.
• Simon Lalande, Former President of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario.

The new Ontario Francophonie Awards were announced on March 20, 2006, at the launch of the celebrations marking the 20^th anniversary of the French Language Services Act. They will be presented on November 20 at a special awards ceremony marking the end of these celebrations.

Each year, the Ontario Francophonie Awards will be presented to at least one Francophone and one Francophile whose recent accomplishments have benefited the Francophone community. The deadline for nominations for the second annual Francophonie Awards is April 1, 2007. More information is available on the Office of Francophone Affairs website at www.oaf.gouv.on.ca.

These new awards are an important element of the government's commitment to a strong Francophonie. Other recent examples of this commitment include:

• A partnership agreement with the Association française des municipalités de l'Ontario providing financial support for the translation of municipal by-laws
• The announcement of the restructuring of TfO, making it a separate, stand-alone organization with its own board of directors, management, and budget
• The signing of the Ontario-Quebec Cooperation Protocol on Francophone Affairs
• A new increase in funding for Ontario's French-language schools and an investment to increase access to postsecondary education for Francophones and the range of French-language programs
• The bilingual designation of Kingston under the French Language Services Act
• An ambitious program to mark the 20th anniversary of the French Language Services Act.

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For more information:
Richard Martel
Senior Policy Advisor, Francophone Affairs
Office of the Minister Responsible For Francophone Affairs
416 325-8850

Charles Jean Sucsan
Senior Manager
Strategic Communications
Office of Francophone Affairs
416 476-5223

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