Honourable senators, I’m very pleased to rise today to draw your attention to an important event in the promotion and preservation of the French language. Having served as a member of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie for many years, I am pleased to congratulate the recipients of the Ordre de la Pléiade, awarded by the Nova Scotia Legislature.

These outstanding individuals were honoured for their significant contributions and commitment to the French language and for their dedication to promoting the values of linguistic and cultural diversity.

The individuals who were awarded this honour at the March 22 ceremony are Chris d’Entremont, Geoff Regan, Denise Comeau‑Desautels, Lisette Aucoin-Bourgeois, Lisette Sieberath, Robert Thibault, Lena Metlege Diab, Norbert LeBlanc, Rohini Bannerjee, and, last but not least, our colleague Senator Réjean Aucoin.

Senator Aucoin has been involved in promoting and developing the French language and culture in his Acadian community in Nova Scotia since he was a teenager. As a high school student, he was already working as an advocate on the youth committee and he also served as a youth representative on the board of directors of the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse. He continued to defend and promote the ability to receive services in French in dealing with government departments and especially the justice system at the local, provincial and federal levels.

The achievements of these 10 recipients attest to their unwavering commitment to the francophonie and their determination to make the voice of the francophonie heard within our diverse and multicultural society.

I want to congratulate all of the Ordre de la Pléiade recipients, especially our colleague and friend, Senator Aucoin. Thank you.