The honorable Bernard Grandmaître receives an honorary doctorate from the University of Ottawa
OTTAWA, November 18, 2011 – The University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law has conferred an honorary doctorate on Bernard Grandmaître, former Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.
The doctorate was presented to the former minister yesterday, in Ottawa, during a gala event, as part of the Conference on 25 Years of the French Language Services Act.
QUOTES
“We are proud to honour Bernard Grandmaître, a politician who, in particular, played a key role in the adoption of the French Language Services Act, marking an important step for Franco–Ontarians,” said University of Ottawa president Allan Rock.
“Bernard Grandmaître truly changed history. His work and his vision allowed Francophone communities in Ontario to flourish. The Act, which has served us for 25 years, goes beyond symbolic recognition,” stated François Boileau, French Language Services Commissioner.
QUICK FACTS
Bernard Grandmaître was a mayor, MPP and minister during a political career that spanned more than twenty years, beginning in 1969. In 1986, as Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, he achieved the unanimous adoption of the French Language Services Act.
The French Language Services Act requires the Ontario government to provide services in French to citizens, particularly in 25 designated regions.
The Conference on 25 Years of the French Language Services Act is a joint presentation of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner, the Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario (AJEFO) and GroupeMédia TFO, with the support of the Office of Francophone Affairs.
INFORMATION
Gyula Kovacs
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner
416-314-8247 or 1-866-246-5262
communications.flscCSF@ontario.ca
Karine Proulx
Media Relations Officer
University of Ottawa
613-562-5800 ext. 3149 or 613-219-3058 (cell)
karine.proulx@uOttawa.ca