Gaétan Gervais now a member of Order of Canada (12 photos)

As a man who helped pioneer Franco-Ontarian studies at Laurentian University, among many other accomplishments, Gaétan Gervais was officially invested into the Order of Canada on Dec. 5.

Gervais also co-created the Franco-Ontarian flag.

He is also responsible for founding organizations dedicated to researching French Ontario, including the Institut Franco-Ontarien and the Société Charlevoix. Gervais helped to promote the use of French within the academic community and advance the language in his province as chair of the Franco-Ontarian Education and Training Council.

Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell travelled to Sudbury to present to Gervais the insignia of the Member of the Order of Canada. Gervais was joined by family and friends at a ceremony at Tom Davies Square.