Recipients of the Prix Bernard-Grandmaître | Pouvoir | Vie française dans la capitale

Bernard Grandmaître is born in Eastview (Vanier), a city he leads as mayor for ten years (1974 to 1984) before going on to represent the Ottawa East riding, as a Liberal, in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (1984 to 1995). During that time, he serves as Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs and Minister of Revenue. Bernard Grandmaître is known as the father of the French Language Services Act, which comes into force in 1989. In 1999, the conseil régional d'Ottawa-Carleton of the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario establishes the Prix Bernard-Grandmaître to recognize his dedication and perseverance in supporting the advancement and development of the Francophone community in the Ottawa region. It has been awarded every year since to a person that has marked its history. In 2016, the award is presented to the Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, Mauril Bélanger, who has since died of Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Bernard Grandmaître [ca. 1985].

Vanier Museopark, MVM-D-Grandmaître.

Black and white photograph of a smiling, dark-haired, middle-aged man wearing a suit and tie. He stands in front of a window with a view of high-rise buildings.

Bernard Grandmaître

Born in Eastview (Vanier), which he leads as mayor for 10 years, Bernard Grandmaître represents the riding of Ottawa East as a Liberal MPP from 1984 to 1995. He serves as Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs and Minister of Revenue. Grandmaître is known as the father of the French Language Services Act, which comes into force in 1989. In 1999, the conseil régional d'Ottawa-Carleton of the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario establishes the Prix Bernard-Grandmaître to recognize his dedication and perseverance in supporting the advancement and development of the Francophone community in the Ottawa region [ca. 1985].

Vanier Museopark, MVM-D-Grandmaître.

Black and white photograph of a smiling, dark-haired, middle-aged man wearing a suit and tie. He stands in front of a window with a view of high-rise buildings.

Ronald Caza

Photograph of Ronald Caza illustrating Philippe Orfali’s article, “Ronald Caza préside la campagne de Julie Bourgeois” (Ronald Caza leads Julie Bourgeois' campaign), published Le Droit [Web], July 16, 2009. The lawyer specializing in language rights pilots the legal file for protecting the Montfort hospital. In addition to practicing law, Ronald Caza is active in professional and social associations – for example, as Chair of the Board of Directors of the United Way Ottawa. In 2000, Mr. Caza receives the Prix Bernard-Grandmaître for his dedication to Ottawa’s Franco-Ontarian community.

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Colour photograph of a mature man with white hair and glasses, in a dark gray suit, white shirt, and red-patterned tie. He is standing in front of a Franco-Ontarian flag, delivering a speech.

Lise Paiement

Lise Paiement – songwriter, cultural animator, writer, theatre director and teacher – at Ottawa’s École secondaire De La Salle, 1981. Lise Paiement, with her unfailing love for the French language, is well-known for her work on cultural pedagogy throughout the Canadian Francophone community. Her vision, commitment and passion make her a model for all Francophones, and her career is crowned with many awards. Lise Paiement is the winner of the 2001 Prix Bernard-Grandmaître. Photo: Jules Villemaire.

University of Ottawa, CRCCF, Fonds Les Éditions L’Interligne (C86), Ph167-1125.

Jacques de Courville Nicol

Photograph of Jacques de Courville Nicol, illustrating Vanessa Hébert’s article, “Faire d’Ottawa une ville bilingue d’ici 2017” (Making Ottawa a bilingual city by 2017), published in Le Droit [Web], July 31, 2014. Jacques de Courville Nicol is the founding president of the Regroupement des gens d’affaires de l’Outaoauis inc., formed in 1984. This communications specialist is one of the main instigators of the Movement for an officially bilingual Capital of Canada, demanding that French and English have equal status “totalement, légalement, juridiquement et constitutionnellement” (completely, legally, judicially and constitutionally) in time to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation. This unwavering defender of the Francophonie of Ottawa receives the 2008 Bernard-Grandmaître award. Photo: Martin Roy.

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Close-up colour photograph of an older, balding man wearing glasses, smiling at the camera. He wears a dark gray suit, white shirt and gray-gold bow tie.

Andrée Lortie

Photograph illustrating Charles Thériault’s article, “Andrée Lortie reçoit l’Ordre du Canada” (Andrée Lortie receives the Order of Canada), published in Le Droit [Web], May 28, 2011. Andrée Lortie is the founding president of La Cité collégiale, the first French-language college of applied arts and technology created in Ontario in 1989. She has been actively involved in the development of French-language college education elsewhere in the country. A member of numerous committees and councils, she has received multiple awards and distinctions, including the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and the Ordre du mérite de la République française. She has also been named a Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Pléiade. She receives the Prix Bernard-Grandmaître in 2009. Photo: Étienne Ranger.

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Colour photograph of a mature woman wearing a beige jacket and matching patterned scarf. The Order of Canada badge is pinned to her jacket. The woman is accompanied by an elderly man wearing a suit, tie, medals and the chain of office of the Governor General of Canada. The two decorated people shake hands during a ceremony. The flag of Canada is visible behind them.

Nicole Fortier

Photograph illustrating Guillaume St-Pierre’s article “Nicole Fortier honorée une fois de plus” (Nicole Fortier honoured once more) published in Le Droit [Web], February 17, 2015. Nicole Fortier has been involved in the Francophone community of Orléans for more than 40 years. In 1979, she helps to create the Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans. In 2011, following the 150th anniversary of Orléans, she founds the Société franco-ontarienne du patrimoine et de l’histoire d’Orléans (Orléans heritage and history society) with the objective to protect Francophone built heritage in this eastern Ottawa neighbourhood threatened by population growth. She is the recipient of the 2014 Prix Bernard-Grandmaître. Photo: Simone Séguin-Bertrand.

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Outdoor colour photograph of a smiling middle-aged woman with glasses and dark hair reaching her chin. She wears a dark gray jacket over a white top, and a pearl necklace. Trees are visible in the background.

Mauril Bélanger

Photograph of Mauril Bélanger, illustrating Paul Gaboury’s article, “Mauril Bélanger prend les choses ‘une journée à la fois’” (Mauril Bélanger takes things ‘one day at a time’), published in Le Droit [Web], December 21, 2015. Mauril Bélanger (1955-2016) is the worthy winner of the 2015 Prix Bernard-Grandmaître. He represents the Ottawa-Vanier riding in Parliament from 1995 until his death in 2016, during which time he promotes linguistic duality and national unity. Weakened by the illness that takes him a few months later, he is honoured to open the annual gala of the Association des communautés francophones d’Ottawa, where he is presented with the award, giving a toast to the Francophone community. Photo: Étienne Ranger.

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Colour photograph of a middle-aged man with dark hair and plump face, wearing glasses. He is talking and gesticulating in front of a microphone. Three Canadian flags are visible behind him.

Linda Cardinal

Linda Cardinal and Graham Fraser (Commissioner of Official Languages) at the annual CRCCF conference “Penser la ville: Ottawa, lieu de vie français” (Thinking about Ottawa as a French place), November 3 and 4, 2011. Linda Cardinal is a professor at the University of Ottawa’s School of Political Studies. In December 2016, she is awarded the Order of Canada for her research and contribution to the development of public policy regarding language. Cardinal has made a name for herself in the Movement for an officially bilingual Capital of Canada among others. She receives the Prix Bernard-Grandmaître at the 17th gala organized by the Association des communautés francophones d’Ottawa (Association of Ottawa Francophone communities), at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum on February 16, 2017. Photo: Martin Roy, Le Droit

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Colour photograph of two people standing in front of a microphone: a middle-aged, dark-haired women wearing a dark suit with white trim, and an older man wearing a gray suit, white shirt and brown tie. Both wear glasses. The man is holding a pin, which he is presenting to the woman.