NEWS RELEASE

The Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie announces 2025 Ordre de la Pléiade recipients

Ottawa — On September 23, 2025, under the honorary chairpersonship of the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, C.M., O.M., Speaker of the Senate, and the Honourable Francis Scarpaleggia, M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons, the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) held its 2025 Ordre de la Pléiade awards ceremony. The Chair of the Canadien Section, Ms. Marie-France Lalonde, M.P., presented the decorations.

This year, the distinction will be awarded to five individuals. Four individuals are receiving the rank of Chevalier:

· René Arseneault, lawyer, Acadian and federal politician;

· Karl Blackburn, Quebec entrepreneur and politician;

· André Gagnon, former senior Canadian parliamentary official; and

· Agnès Mbome Moume, cultural and community activist.

One individual is being promoted to the rank of Commandeur:

· Édith Butler, musician, composer and writer, awarded the rank of Chevalière in 1979.

“The Canadian Branch of the APF is deeply honoured to award the ranks of Chevalier and Commandeur of the Ordre de la Pléiade to five deserving Canadians. Through their commitment and dedication, our recipients have contributed to showcasing our language and our shared values, each in their own way,” stated Marie-France Lalonde, M.P. and Chair of the Canadian Branch of the APF.

“The French language is redefining itself every day, both in our institutions and in our communities. But this creative energy depends on the vision and genius of those who are deeply committed to this language,” said the Honourable Francis Scarpaleggia, M.P. and Speaker of the House of Commons.

“Today, we are recognizing the work of exceptional individuals who sought in their own way to shape the present and future of our francophonie and this beautiful language we cherish and share,” remarked the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, C.M., O.M. and Speaker of the Senate.

The Pléiade, the order honouring achievement in the Francophonie and dialogue among cultures, has been awarded by the APF since 1976. Open to citizens of all nations, the Pléiade recognizes the exceptional merit of individuals who have distinguished themselves in their service to the ideals of the APF and the Francophonie. The Ordre de la Pléiade is the only international honour bestowed by a parliamentary assembly. The five ranks of the Ordre de la Pléiade are Chevalier, Officier, Commandeur, Grand Officier and Grand-Croix.

The APF is the consultative assembly of the Francophonie and brings together parliamentarians of 99 parliaments or interparliamentary organizations dispersed on five continents. It aims to promote and defend the global influence of the French language and multilingualism, democracy and peace, respect for human rights and gender equality.

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For more information, please contact:

Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie
Julie Pelletier, Association Secretary
CAPF@parl.gc.ca
613-995-9560