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Backgrounder: The 2006 Ontario Francophonie Awards

Announced on March 20, 2006, the Ontario Francophonie Awards were created by the Government of Ontario as a component of the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the French Language Services Act. They recognize individual citizens, Francophones and Francophiles, who have made valuable contributions to the social, economic, political and cultural vitality and well-being of Ontario's Francophone community.

An independent selection committee representative of Ontario's geographic, demographic, cultural and professional diversity was established by the Office of Francophone Affairs. The 2006 selection committee was comprised of:

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

The nomination period went from May 16 until June 30, 2006. The recipients of the first ever Ontario Francophonie Awards are:

• Caroline Andrew, Professor of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa
• Annie Dell, Regional Director of the Réseau de développement économique et d'employabilité de l'Ontario (RDÉE), Centre/Southwest Region
• Gérald Savoie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montfort Hospital
• Raymond Tremblay, Rector of the Université de Hearst

The 2006 Ontario Francophonie Awards were given to the recipients on November 20, 2006, at a ceremony presided by Premier Dalton McGuinty and by the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. The awards will be presented every year to at least one Francophone and to at least one Francophile.

This recognition program is the government's most recent initiative aimed at strengthening the Francophone community in Ontario. Other recent achievements include:

• Important additional investments in Ontario's French-language education at the elementary, secondary and postsecondary levels, leading to increased access to French-language schools for Francophone students across the province;
• Establishment of the first Elementary and Secondary French-Language Education Task Force;
• Self-governance granted to TFO, which will now have its own board of directors and will be managed independently both in terms of its administration and its budget;
• Launch of the Politique d'aménagement linguistique, a language planning policy to promote the French language and culture, improve student achievement and help keep young Franco-Ontarians in French-language schools – a first in Canada;
• Designation of the City of Kingston (2006), the City of Brampton (2004) and the Municipality of Callander (2004) under the French Language Services Act;
• Establishment of a Provincial Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs;
• Signing of the Ontario-Québec Cooperation Protocol on Francophone Affairs;
• Partnership project with the Association française des municipalités de l'Ontario (AFMO) to support the translation of municipal by-laws and other key documents in French (co-funded by the Ontario and federal governments);
• Investment of $185 million towards the expansion of Montfort Hospital in Ottawa;
• Adoption of the Local Health System Integration Act, which offers guarantees for addressing the health care needs of Francophones.

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Contacts:
Marc Despatie
Senior Strategic Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
416 433-8584

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

News Release

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