Department of Justice
The Department of Justice confers awards of distinction
during the National Symposium on Official Languages
OTTAWA, September 21, 1998 - On Friday, September 18, Eleni Bakopanos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Anne McLellan, conferred awards of distinction to four people
who have made a remarkable contribution to the advancement of Canada’s linguistic and legal duality. The awards were given during the National Symposium on Canada’s Official Languages, which brought together Canadians from all sectors and
from all regions of the country.
"The outstanding contribution of these Canadians to the cultural and linguistic life of this country should not be underestimated, as it is through our language and our cultural and legal institutions that we come to define ourselves as
Canadians," said Mrs. Bakopanos.
The recipients are:
Mr. Michel Doucet, an ardent champion of the advancement of the linguistic rights of Acadian and Francophone communities.
Mr. Casper M. Bloom, a founding member of Alliance Quebec, who has devoted a important part of his career to improving access to justice for English-speaking Quebecers.
The Honourable Madam Justice Anne-Marie Trahan, who played a key role in developing the bijuralism policy of the Department of Justice.
Mr. Warren J. Newman, the first director of the Official Languages Law Group, who led the team that drafted the Official Languages Act of 1988.
Mrs. Bakopanos added that, "The task of choosing the recipients of these awards was not an easy one. As we have witnessed during this Symposium over the last few days, there are many Canadians across the country who devote a great deal of time
and effort to promoting Canada’s linguistic and legal duality."
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Inf.: Pierre Gratton Bruno Thériault
Cabinet de la Ministre Official Languages Law Group
(613) 992-4621 (613) 957-4936
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