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The Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie honours Mr. Gaston Bellemare with the Ordre de la Pléiade

Trois-Rivières — On October 16, 2025, the Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), chaired by Ms. Marie-France Lalonde, M.P, held an Ordre de la Pléiade awards ceremony to honour Mr. Gaston Bellemare.

Mr. Bellemare, a Quebec French-language poet, founder of the Trois-Rivières International Poetry Festival and named Chevalier in 2014, has been promoted to the rank of Commandeur.

“Today, Mr. Bellemare reaffirms his place in a vast community of Ordre de La Pléiade medal recipients who have distinguished themselves through their commitment to our language and the Francophonie, in fields ranging from arts and literature to entrepreneurship, community service and politics,” said Ms. Marie-France Lalonde, M.P. and Chair of the Canadian Branch of the APF.

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 from 99 parliaments and interparliamentary organizations across 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