Overview of the awards

The Ontario Francophonie Awards recognize people whose social, economic, political or cultural contributions make a difference in the francophone community and in Ontario as a whole.

Ontario Francophonie Awards are presented every two or three years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last awards were held in 2018.

The most recent award ceremony took place on March 24, 2022.

Award categories

The Ontario Francophonie Awards are given to a:

  • Francophone
  • Francophile (for example, a person who is not francophone but who supports and promotes French language and culture)
  • young Francophone or Francophile

Eligibility

Francophone or Francophile category

Nominees must:

  • reside or have previously resided in Ontario
  • have, within the last five years, carried out initiatives that have benefited Ontario’s Francophone community

Young Francophone and Francophile categories

Nominees must:

  • be 25 years of age or under at the time of the nomination
  • reside or have resided in Ontario
  • have, within the last five years, contributed to initiatives that benefited Ontario’s Francophone community

Please note, you can nominate someone who has been nominated in the past, however, you must complete and submit a new nomination package by the deadline.

Who is not eligible

Self-nominations will not be accepted.

Current government employees cannot be nominated.

Elected federal, provincial or municipal representatives cannot be nominated while in office.

Selection process

An independent selection committee appointed by the Minister of Francophone Affairs reviews all nominations and select the award winners. One member of the selection panel, who is 25 years of age or under and active in their community, will represent Ontario youth.

The Ministry of Francophone Affairs will notify the winning candidates and the person(s) who nominated them by email.

Contact us

If you have questions about the Ontario Francophonie Awards, please email ofa@ontario.ca and write Ontario Francophonie Awards in the subject line.

Previous winners

2022

  • Francophone – Amikley Fontaine, Etobicoke
    • Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Sylvenie Lindor Foundation
  • Francophile – Joël Beddows, Ottawa
    • Artistic Director, Stage Director, Dramaturg, Professor, University of Ottawa
  • Young Francophone – Chloé Atwood, Cumberland
    • Student and youth activist

2018

  • Francophone – the late Paulette Gagnon, Sudbury
    • Development director, The Place des Arts in Sudbury and cultural advocate
  • Francophile – Margaret Aerola, Toronto
    • Administrator at Bendale Acres (Long-term Care Home)
  • Young Francophone – William Burton, Ottawa
    • Student and youth activist

2015

  • Francophone – Mariette Carrier-Frasier, Ottawa
    • Education advocate and Assistant Deputy Minister, Education, in Ontario
  • Francophile – Mary Cruden, Toronto
    • President, Canadian Parents for French (Ontario)
  • Young Francophone – Rym Ben Barrah, Ottawa
    • Student and youth activist

2012

  • Francophone – Gérard Lévesque, Toronto
    • Lawyer and notary public
  • Francophile – Alex Munter, Ottawa
    • President and CEO, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario
  • Young Francophone – Danielle Blais, Hearst
    • Professional comedian

2010

  • Francophone – Jean Comtois, Ottawa
    • Education advocate
  • Francophile – Kenneth McRoberts, Toronto
    • President, York University
  • Youth Francophile – Christopher Sisto, Ottawa
    • Director of Marketing, Teldio

2008

  • Francophone – Robert-Guy Despatie, Toronto
    • Cultural facilitator, Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
  • Francophile – Chad Gaffield, Ottawa
    • President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (Sshrc)

2006

  • Francophone – Annie Dell, Toronto
    • Regional Director, Réseau de développement économique et d'employabilité de l'Ontario, Centre/Southwest Region
  • Francophone – Gérald Savoie, Ottawa
    • President and Chief Executive Officer, Montfort Hospital
  • Francophone – Raymond Tremblay, Hearst
    • Rector, Université de Hearst
  • Francophile – Caroline Andrew, Ottawa
    • Professor, Political Studies, University of Ottawa