Prix Ronald-Duhamel - Ronald Duhamel Award Winners for 2015
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, March 12, 2015 – The Prix Ronald-Duhamel – Ronald Duhamel Awardwas presented today to Diane Leclercq and Diane Dorge, respectively the Regional Program Manager and Program Officer with the Official Languages Program in the federal Department of Canadian Heritage, for their lifelong contribution to the development of the Franco-Manitoban community and bilingual communities in Manitoba.
Known under the monicker of les deux Diane(the two Dianes), they have spent almost 30 years with the Department of Canadian Heritage serving the Francophone community in Manitoba and other provinces and territories included in the district. They have always provided personal quality services, going above and beyond the call of duty as public servants. They have done everything to promote good relations between the Department and the communities and have served as a bridge between the two. Program officers outside Manitoba also call on them for their experience and wisdom. Mesdames Leclercq and Dorge have a positive influence on the Francophonie both provincially and nationally, and leave behind them a legacy of excellence with respect to client service, a welcoming attitude and availability.
The Prix Ronald-Duhamel – Ronald Duhamel Awardis a joint initiative of the Société franco-manitobaine (SFM), Manitoba’s Federal Network of Official Languages, the Manitoba Francophone Affairs Secretariat, and the Manitoba Association of Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM). It was created to recognize an employee or a group of employees of a governmental or quasi-governmental body at the federal, provincial or municipal level for distinguished service to Manitoba’s Francophone community.
Officially launched in March 2005, the Award was named in honour of Ronald Duhamel and his significant contributions, first as a senior public servant in the Government of Manitoba and then as a federal MP, minister and senator. During his career, Mr. Duhamel did much to promote the cultural, educational, economic and political development of the Franco-Manitoban community. He also supported a number of minority Francophone community initiatives at the national level.
Daniel Boucher, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Société franco-manitobaine, commented that "Diane Leclercq and Diane Dorge are not only experts in their respective fields, but their commitment to the ongoing development of Manitoba's Francophone community exceeds all expectations. There is no doubt they deserve this award!"
The Assistant Deputy Minister of Western Economic Diversification, Bram Strain is pleased to recognize two federal employees on behalf of Manitoba’s federal Network of Official Languages for their excellence in Official Languages. “Manitoba’s federal community has seen unparalleled engagement from Diane Leclerq and Diane Dorge as examples to be followed in their rapport and work with Manitoba’s Francophone community.”
Mélanie Cwikla, Executive Director of the Francophone Affairs Secretariat, extends warm congratulations to the two very deserving recipients. “All of our organizations benefit from Ms Leclercq's and Ms Dorge's expertise and professionalism. They are obviously deeply committed to the Francophonie and make every effort to support our community. I also appreciate the close cooperation that exists between the Secretariat and the regional office of Canadian Heritage as this greatly simplifies our work on joint initiatives.”
Louis Tétrault, Executive Director of the Manitoba Association of Bilingual Municipalities, is delighted with the choice of recipients. “Thanks to their guidance, Franco-Manitoban organizations are more comfortable navigating their way through the federal bureaucracy. It is thanks to Ms Leclercq and Ms Dorge that productive partnerships have been formed in the communities. Using their sound knowledge of the Department's programs and Manitoba's Francophonie, they have not hesitated to bring together certain groups and suggest joint initiatives that have resulted in many positive achievements.”
Members of the general public and public sector employees at the federal, provincial and municipal level were invited to submit nominations for the Prix Ronald-Duhamel – Ronald Duhamel Awardby January 31, 2015.
The award ceremony was held in the Provencher Hall of the Université de Saint-Boniface (USB), as part of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie. Immediately afterwards, the USB launched its mini-campaign for the Fonds de bourses d’excellence Ronald-Duhamel [Ronald Duhamel merit scholarship fund] immediately afterwards. This is the sixth time the Award has been presented since its creation.
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The Government of Manitoba is distributing this press release on behalf of the governments of Canada and Manitoba, the Société franco-manitobaine and the Manitoba Association of Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM).