May 7, 2008
OTTAWA – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will present the insignia of Officer of the Order of Canada to Bernard Pivot, a French citizen whose passion for French language and literature have resulted in fruitful cultural exchanges between France and Canada. This special investiture will occur on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at 8 p.m., at the residence of the Ambassador of Canada to France.
Mr. Pivot was appointed an honorary officer of the Order of Canada on April 10, 2008.
Bernard Pivot, O.C., C.Q.
Paris, France
Honorary Officer of the Order of Canada
Bernard Pivot has been sharing his passion for reading and words for the past 50 years. His television programs, "Apostrophes" and "Bouillon de Culture," as well as his famous spelling bees, have made an incomparable contribution to French culture. Over the years, he has helped make a number of Canadian authors known beyond our borders and famous within La Francophonie. He has a great love for words and continues his important work as a member of the Conseil supérieur de la langue française and the jury for the Prix Goncourt.
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Media information
In France
Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office
68 05 05 240
meletourneau@gg.ca
In Canada
Marie-Paule Thorn
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-993-2569
www.gg.ca
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca
Marthe Blouin, Official Spokesperson to the Governor General of Canada
68 88 75 323
mblouin@gg.ca
ANNEX B - FACT SHEET ON THE ORDER OF CANADA
ORDER OF CANADA BACKGROUNDER
The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement and service in various fields of human endeavour. It is our country's highest civilian honour for lifetime achievement. Three different levels of membership-Companion, Officer and Member-honour people whose accomplishments vary in degree and scope.
Appointments are made on the recommendation of an advisory council, chaired by the chief justice of Canada.
The governor general is the Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order. Members of the Advisory Council on the Order of Canada reflect the diversity and excellence in Canadian society. Certain members are appointed by virtue of their office; others are appointed for a fixed term to achieve a balanced representation of the various regions of the country.
Any group or individual is welcome to nominate deserving individuals as candidates for appointment.
Any Canadian may be nominated for the Order of Canada. The only exceptions are federal and provincial politicians and judges, who may not be appointed while holding office.
People who are not Canadian may be considered for honorary appointments.
