NEWS RELEASE

Ottawa, March 17, 2017 – The Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) is proud to announce the names of the recipients of the Ordre de la Pléiade. The awards will be bestowed during celebrations of the Journée internationale de la Francophonie and the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Branch of the APF, held on March 20th on Parliament Hill in Centre Block, room 237-C. The doors will open at 5:50 p.m..

The recipients of the Ordre de la Pléiade medal will be:

The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, P.C. (posthumously) – Grand Officer (Grand Officier)
Mr. Gilles Levasseur – Commander (Commandeur)
Ms. Ginette Gratton – Knight (Chevalier)

La Pléiade, Ordre de la Francophonie et du dialogue des cultures, is an APF initiative that came into being in 1976. It is awarded to public figure who have dedicated themselves to promoting the French language. There are five classes of the Ordre de la Pléiade: Knight (Chevalier), Officer (Officier), Commander (Commandeur), Grand Officer (Grand Officier) and Grand Cross (Grand-Croix).

“The members of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Branch of the APF consider the Ordre de la Pléiade a great opportunity to celebrate Canadian francophony and to recognize the accomplishments of public figures who helped it thrive. The Canadian Branch is proud to award these medals to these three recipients” declared the president, Mr. Darrell Samson.

The APF is composed of parliamentarians from 78 Parliaments or interparliamentary organizations across five continents. Its mandate is to foster the prospering of the French language around the world and to promote cultural diversity, democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

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For more information, please contact:
Jean-François Lafleur, Association Secretary
Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie
131Queen Street, Suite 05-28
Ottawa, Ontario

Email:  jean-francois.lafleur@parl.gc.ca
Tel: 613 995-9560