Location: 20th anniversary of the French Language Services Act > Ontario Francophonie Awards - Francophone

"Raymond Tremblay understands the important role of education in the development of communities. His passion and commitment contribute to ensuring that small Francophone communities continue to thrive." – Selection Committee

Raymond Tremblay – Francophone

Those who know Raymond Tremblay use three words to describe him: builder, optimist, unifier. Since 1986, Mr. Tremblay has been Rector of the Université de Hearst. He is also a former student and professor at the university. This institution, which was founded in 1953, is the only French-language university in Ontario. Mr. Tremblay has devoted his career to the development and promotion of French-language postsecondary education in Northeastern Ontario. As a strong advocate of the French language and culture within the region, he has led many initiatives to ensure the survival and development of the Université de Hearst. His determination and innovative spirit have enabled the university to overcome many challenges and to meet the needs of Francophones in the North.

Raymond Tremblay is also a major actor within several regional, provincial and national Francophone organizations. He was a founding member of the newspaper Le Nord and of the Hearst Arts Council, in addition to being a member of the Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario (ACFO) and of several national roundtables for Francophones. Mr. Tremblay believes that self sufficiency is key to the vitality of local Francophone communities. His deep conviction that Francophones must be able to receive their education "at home" in order to control their own destinies has allowed Université de Hearst graduates to become leaders within their own communities.

The Université de Hearst is a major economic and cultural force in its region. It has developed unique expertise in providing university-level education within a minority environment. Raymond Tremblay has played a very large role in making this dream a reality.