The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, was the first recipient to be presented with historic military artifacts, through the Canada Heritage France Initiative.
Project co-founders, Dr. Kevin McCormick, President and Vice-Chancellor of Huntington University, and Marc Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, met with Minister Joly at Collège Boréal on Friday, Oct. 13 to present her with First World War Medals awarded to a French soldier, as well as a framed antique print of an iconic French General from World War I.
Joly was in Sudbury on Oct. 13 to announce $12.5 million in funding for Francophone arts and cultural centre, Place des Arts.
The Canada Heritage France Initiative is an extension of Project Honour and Preserve - an international initiative founded in 2010 by Dr. Kevin McCormick, of Greater Sudbury, to raise awareness of the sacrifices and contributions made by Canadian Veterans while bringing public attention to important dates in Canadian Military history.
This new initiative, aims to raise awareness of the excellent Canada-France relations that exist between both countries, and highlight their common history, culture and shared values.
“It is exciting to launch the Canada Heritage France Initiative, and make the first presentation to our Minister of Canadian Heritage, during Canada’s 150th anniversary year,” said Serré.
“Both countries share deep ties as result of our relationship as allies during times of war. Ongoing commemoration of the tremendous courage and sacrifice of First and Second World War Veterans, from both Canada and France, offers yet another opportunity to highlight and strengthen the bilateral relationship between our two nations.”
“Today, we are able to continue our work with a presentation to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, in recognition of our country’s 150th and the nation of France’s continued friendship and support,” said McCormick.
“The Canada Heritage France Initiative will continue its mission, of both honouring and celebrating the historic and contemporary ties that bind our great countries, through presentations to people and organizations that represent Canada, and our dear friend and ally, France.”
In keeping with that theme, McCormick and Serré have also engaged at the local level with two well-known francophone community leaders.
Paul Lefebvre, MP for Sudbury, and Daniel Giroux, President of Collège Boréal, have both been presented with historic French military artifacts, through the Canada Heritage France Initiative.
