Ministers of the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie
Alberta
Cal Dallas
Minister of Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations
Minister responsible for the Francophone Secretariat
Contact Information
- 408 Legislature Building
- 10800 - 97 Avenue
- Edmonton, AB
- T5K 2B6
- Phone: (780) 427-2585
- Fax: (780) 422-9023
- Email: cal.dallas@gov.ab.ca
- Website: http://www.francophone.alberta.ca
British Columbia
John Les
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier
John Les is currently the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier. He previously served as Parliamentary Secretary for HST Information to the Minister of Finance.
John was re-elected as MLA to represent the new riding of Chilliwack in the spring of 2009. He has also served as Solicitor General, and Minister of Small Business and Economic Development.
Mr. Les was first elected to represent the riding of Chilliwack-Sumas in 2001 and re-elected in 2005.
He served as Government Caucus Chair, and also chaired the Legislative Special Committee on the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. Mr. Les has served on the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations, as well as the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations. He has also been chair of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, and was formerly a member of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.
Before being elected to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Les served for three years as a Chilliwack municipal councillor before he became Mayor from 1987 to 1999. During his 13 years as Mayor, he served on a number of bodies, including Chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District; Trustee of the Municipal Finance Authority of B.C.; Director of Union of BC Municipalities; and President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
In his private business career, Mr. Les was a partner in a Chilliwack dairy operation, an award-winning realtor, as well as the owner of a successful land development company.
Mr. Les is an Honorary Rotarian, who was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of his exemplary community service, by the Rotary Club of Chilliwack.
Mr. Les and his wife Mattie live in Chilliwack and have six children and 15 grandchildren.
Contact Information
- Parliament Building, East Anex
- Victoria, BC
- V8V 1X4
- Phone: (250) 387-8155
- Fax: (250) 387-3698
- Email: john.les.mla@leg.bc.ca
- Website: http://www.gov.bc.ca/igrs/francophones
Canada
James Moore
Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
James Moore was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 2000, and was re-elected in 2004 and 2006 in the riding of Port Moody – Westwood - Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. In June 2008, he was appointed Secretary of State responsible for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, the 2010 Olympics, and Official Languages.
Mr. Moore had previously been appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services in February 2006, with additional responsibilities for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver Whistler Olympics added in April 2006.
Mr. Moore’s previous parliamentary experience includes periods of service as the Critic for Transport, Sport, and Public Works and Government Services. He has also served as Deputy Critic for Foreign Affairs and National Revenue.
Mr. Moore has been a member of the standing committees on Government Operations and Estimates, on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and on Environment and Sustainable Development.
Mr. Moore was born in New Westminster and raised in Coquitlam. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Northern British Columbia.
Contact Information
- 15 Eddy Street
- 12th Floor
- Gatineau, QC
- K1A 0M5
- Phone: (819) 997-7788
- Fax: (819) 994-1267
- Email: sebastien.gariepy@pch.gc.ca
- Website: http://www.pch.gc.ca
Manitoba
Gregory Selinger
Premier of Manitoba
President of the Executive Council
Minister of Federal-Provincial Relations
Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs
Greg Selinger is the Premier of Manitoba, President of the Executive Council, Minister of Federal-Provincial Relations and Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs.
Greg Selinger was sworn in as Premier of Manitoba on October 19, 2009.He is currently the only Premier in Canada to maintain the Francophone Affairs portfolio.
Elected to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1999, Greg Selinger was appointed to the Finance and French Language Services portfolios on October 5, 1999. He was reelected in 2003 and 2007.
As an associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba, he taught courses in social policy and community development.
Greg Selinger represented St. Boniface as City Councillor and chaired the City’s Committee on Finance and Administration.He also served on the Board of the St. Boniface Hospital and the St. Boniface Museum and as President of the Old St. Boniface Residents Association.
Greg Selinger holds a PhD from the London School of Economics, a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Queen's University and a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from the University of Manitoba.
Contact Information
- Legislative Building
- 204-450 Broadway
- Winnipeg, MB
- R3C 0V8
- Phone: (204) 945-3714
- Fax: (204) 949-1484
- Email: guy.Jourdain@leg.gov.mb.ca
- Website: http://www.gov.mb.ca/fls-slf
New Brunswick
Paul Robichaud
Minister of Economic Development
Minister responsible for La Francophonie
Deputy Premier
Government House Leader
Paul Robichaud is a native of Shippagan. Born on May 6, 1964, he attended Shippagan elementary and high schools and the Shippagan campus ofthe Université de Moncton.
Involved in provincial and federal politics since 1985, he was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for the riding of Lamèque-Shippagan-Miscou in the June 7, 1999, provincial election.
Mr. Robichaud is familiar with the needs of New Brunswickers, having served as special assistant to a former provincial Minister of Fisheries and as executive assistant to a former Minister of Housing from 1985 to 1987. He is no stranger to the federal scene, either, having been an executive assistant to a former Minister of Employment and Immigration from 1991 to 1993 in Ottawa, where he was responsible for New Brunswick matters.
From 1993 until the June 7, 1999, provincial election, he was the organizing director of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick. He was named Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture on June 21, 1999. He became Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture on March 23, 2000. He was appointed Minister of Tourism and Parks, and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, on October 11, 2001.
He was re-elected as the MLA for Lamèque-Shippagan-Miscou in the June 9, 2003, provincial election, and he was sworn in as Minister of Transportation on June 27, 2003. He also acted as deputy Government House Leader in the Legislative Assembly.
He was re-elected in the September 18, 2006, provincial election. He was the official Opposition House leader and a member of the Standing Committee on Procedure. He was critic in areas of interest related to energy, NB Power, New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, Legislative Assembly and Francophone files.
He was re-elected to the 57th Legislature in the provincial election held September 27, 2010. On October 12, 2010, he was sworn in as a member of the Executive Council and appointed Minister of Economic Development, (responsible for the Regional Development Corporation, Business New Brunswick, Invest NB, Northern New Brunswick Initiative, and Rural Affairs) Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Deputy Premier, and Government House Leader.
Paul Robichaud is married to Nathalie Robichaud, and they have one son, Alexandre.
Contact Information
- 670, rue King Street, Room/Pièce 274
- P.O. Box 6000
- Fredericton, NB
- E3B 5H1
- Phone: (506) 453-5898
- Fax: (506) 453-6389
- Email: paul.robichaud@gnb.ca
- Website:
Newfoundland and Labrador
Susan Sullivan
Minister of Health and Community Services
Minister Responsible for Aging and Seniors
Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
Susan Sullivan was elected to the House of Assembly in the deferred general election in the district ofGrand Falls-Windsor-Buchans on November 6, 2007, and was first appointed to Cabinet in October 2008 as Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment; Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities; Minister Responsible forthe Labour Relations Agency and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.
Born and raised in Grand Falls-Windsor, Minister Sullivan is fiercely proud of her hometown and its rich legacy of social, cultural, and economic leadership.
Minister Sullivan has a Bachelor of Arts (French major) and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University. She has a Masters of Education (literacy) from Mount St. Vincent University and a French immersion diploma from l'Université Laval.
She retired in June of 2007 following a 30-year teaching career, working the last seven years as the French Department Head for the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation where she taught senior high French to all parts of the province via the Internet.
In the 2005 municipal election, Minister Sullivan was elected Deputy Mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor, serving as Chair of the Public Works and Engineering Committee and the 2006 Salmon Festival. She was a member of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, the Finance and Human Resources Committee, and the Post Secondary Education Committee. She was also a director of the EXCITE Corporation and a board member of the Exploits Valley Economic Development Corporation where she served on the Municipalities Committee as well as the Education and IT Committees.
Contact Information
- Confederation Building, 3rd floor, West Block
- Box 8700
- St. John's, NL
- A1B 4J6
- Phone: (709) 729-4728
- Fax: (709) 729-0654
- Email: SusanSullivan@ gov.nl.ca
- Website: http://www.gov.nl.ca/frenchservices
Northwest Territories
Jackson Lafferty
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment
Minister Responsible for Official Languages
Minister of Justice
Jackson Lafferty was elected to the 15th Legislative Assembly in a by-election on July 18, 2005. He was re-elected to the 16th Assembly on October 1, 2007 and elected to the Executive Council and appointed Minister of Justice, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and Minister Responsible for the Homeless.
Prior to being elected to the 15th Assembly, Mr. Lafferty gained valuable work experience with local Aboriginal governments, the territorial government and with the corporate sector. Mr. Lafferty also gained additional experience and knowledge by serving on various boards and agencies at the local, regional and territorial levels.
Mr. Lafferty graduated from Sir John Franklin High School in Yellowknife, attended Red Deer College and the University of Lethbridge to advance his skills in business and community development. He has completed the Executive Leadership program through the Banff School of Management and is completing a Management Degree program through Athabasca University.
Born in Rae, Mr. Lafferty lived in his home community until moving to Yellowknife in 2003 where he currently resides. Mr. Lafferty and his wife Dianne have five beautiful children: two boys and three girls.
Contact Information
- Legislative Assembly
- Box 1320
- Yellowknife, NT
- X1A 2L9
- Phone: (867) 669-2399
- Fax: (867) 873-0169
- Email: jackson_lafferty@gov.nt.ca
- Website: http://www.gov.nt.ca/
Nova Scotia
Graham Steele
Minister of Finance
Minister of Acadian Affairs
Community
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, University of Manitoba; Recipient of a Rhodes Scholarship, Oxford University; Bachelor of Laws, Dalhousie University; Governor General's Gold Medal recipient.
Employment History
Lawyer; general counsel to the Workers Compensation Board; Former Research Director for the Nova Scotia NDP Caucus.
Political Career
First elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2001; re-elected in 2003, 2006 and 2009.
Family
Married father of two school-age children
Contact Information
- Office of Acadian Affairs, Dennis Building, 7th Floor
- 1740 Granville Street, P.O. Box 682
- Halifax, NS
- B3J 2T3
- Phone: (902) 424-3955
- Fax: (902) 428-0124
- Email: min-oaa@gov.ns.ca
- Website: http://www.gov.ns.ca/acadian/
Nunavut
James Arreak
Minister of Culture, Language,
Elders & Youth,
Minister of Languages
James Arreak was born in Scott Island off the north coast of Baffin Island. Mr. Arreak was elected to the 2nd Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in the February 2004 general election. He was re-elected in the October 2008 general election. Mr. Arreak’s constituency of Uqqummiut includes the communities of Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq. Mr. Arreak is also a former Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.
Before entering public life, James worked for Nordair, which was the airline of the North during the 1970s. He also operated his own business from 1978 to 2004. James has held elected positions with the Hamlet Council of Clyde River, the Clyde River Co-op and the Aarruja Development Corporation. He was one of the founding Chairs of the Kakivak Association. Mr. Arreak served as the Mayor of Clyde River from 1984 to 1986.
During the 2nd Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Mr. Arreak served as Deputy Speaker and the Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole. He also sat on the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Housing and Economic Development and the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit.
Mr. Arreak was acclaimed as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut in November 2008
Mr. Arreak was appointed as Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth and Minister of Languages on November 5, 2010.
Contact Information
- Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
- Box 1200
- Iqaluit, NU
- X0A 0H0
- Phone: (867) 975-5019
- Fax: (867) 975-5114
- Email:
- Website: http://www.gov.nu.ca/cley/home/french/services.html
Ontario
Madeleine Meilleur
Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs
Madeleine Meilleur has been the Minister of Community and Social Services since 2006 and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs since 2003.
Thanks to her leadership, Ontario passed two new laws in 2008. The first law promotes the social inclusion of persons with developmental disabilities; the second law gives Ontarians access to open adoption records.
Madeleine Meilleur plays an active role to ensure that the Ministry offers help to the people who need it most, including: women fleeing violence, people with disabilities, or those who are in financial need.
In her previous role as Minister of Culture from 2003 to 2006, Minister Meilleur spearheaded efforts to introduce a new andstrengthened Ontario Heritage Act, concluding thirty years of efforts to provide better heritage protection. As Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, she has been committed to building stronger French communities through critical investments in education and health services, including the expansion of the Montfort Hospital.
The independence of the French TV channel TFO, the creation of the office of the French-language services Commissioner, and the creation of the Franco-Ontarian Day on September 25 of each year are some of her many accomplishments that have benefited Franco-Ontarians.
A registered nurse and lawyer specializing in labour and employment law, Minister Meilleur was elected to the provincial legislature in 2003 after more than a decade in municipal politics in Ottawa.
Contact Information
- 777 Bay Street, 2nd Floor
- Toronto, ON
- M7A 0A2
- Phone: (416) 325-4949
- Fax: (416) 325-4980
- Email: madeleine.meilleur@ontario.ca
- Website: http://www.ofa.gov.on.ca/
Prince Edward Island
Robert W.J. Ghiz
Premier of Prince Edward Island
Minister responsible for Acadian and Francophone Affairs
Honourable Robert W.J. Ghiz was sworn in as the thirty-first Premier of Prince Edward Island on June 12, 2007.
Mr. Ghiz was born January 21, 1974 in Charlottetown. After receiving his early education in Charlottetown area schools and graduating from Colonel Gray High School, he went on to study at Bishop’s University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Political Studies.
Prior to entering the political arena, Mr. Ghiz worked as a Special Assistant to Prime Minister Jean Chretien, as well as Special Assistant to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. He was also employed in the private sector, having worked as the Manager of Government Affairs for the Bank of Nova Scotia in Ottawa.
In April, 2003, Mr. Ghiz was chosen as the Leader of the Liberal Party of Prince Edward Island; subsequently in September of the same year he was elected to represent the people of District 13, Charlottetown-Rochford Square in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. On May 28, 2007 Mr. Ghiz led his party to victory winning 23 of the 27 seats. Following a successful by-election on October 15, 2007, the Liberals now hold 24 seats.
Premier Ghiz is married to Dr. Kate Ellis Ghiz, and they have a daughter Julia Elizabeth.
Contact Information
- Fifth Floor South, Shaw Building
- 95 Rochford Street, P.O. Box 2000
- Charlottetown, PE
- C1A 7N8
- Phone: (902) 368-4400
- Fax: (902) 368-4416
- Email: premier@gov.pe.ca
- Website: http://www.gov.pe.ca/eco/aafa-info/index.php3
Quebec
Yvon Vallières
Minister responsible for Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs and the Canadian Francophonie
Minister responsible for the Reform of Democratic Institutions and Access to Information
Mr. Vallières has a Bachelor's degree in education and a Certificate in psychology of human relations from Université de Sherbrooke.
He started his career as a teacher in Saint-Hubert, Asbestos, Danville and Valcourt (1970-1972 and 1976-1981) and as an education consultant at the Commission scolaire de Taillon (1972-1973).
Elected as a Member of the National Assembly for the first time on October 29, 1973 in the electoral division of Richmond, Mr. Vallières is a Member of Parliament since 1981 without interruption. On September 7, 2011, he was appointed Minister responsible for Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs and the Canadian Francophonie as well as Minister responsible for the Reform of Democratic Institutions and Access to Information.
Since 1989, Mr. Vallière was many times entrusted with ministerial portfolios. He was Minister for Transport (1989-1990), Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1990-1994), Minister for Regional Development and Minister responsible for Fisheries (1990-1992) and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (2005-2007). He was also Chief Government Whip (1985-1989, 1994 and 2003-2005), Chair of the Caucus (2007-2008), President of the Quebec National Assembly from January 13, 2009 to April 1st, 2011 and Chair of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) from July 6, 2009 to April 1st, 2011.
M. Vallières is a Recipient of the Commandeur of the Order of La Pléiade (2007) and of the Grand Croix of the same Order (2009).
Contact Information
- 875, Grande Allée Est
- 3e étage
- Québec, QC
- G1R 4Y8
- Phone: (418) 646-5950
- Fax: (418) 528-0981
- Email: ministre.saic@mce.gouv.qc.ca
- Website:
Saskatchewan
Donna Harpauer
Minister of Education
Provincial Secretary
Teacher’s Superannuation Commission
Ms. Harpauer was raised on a small farm near Guernsey, Saskatchewan. She completed high school at Lanigan Central High and attended Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon where she received her Medical Laboratory Technologist certificate.
Ms. Harpauer interned at University Hospital in Saskatoon, and worked full-time in the Microbiology Lab from 1978 to 1983. Later she married and farmed in the LeRoy area and raised three daughters.
First elected to the Legislature representing the former Watrous constituency in 1999, Ms. Harpauer was re-elected in the new Humboldt Constituency in 2003, and again in the 2007 provincial election. During her time in opposition, she served as the critic for Highways, Agriculture, Investment Saskatchewan, Crown Investments Corporation, SaskPower, SaskEnergy. She was also the Deputy Critic of Highways and Transportation and a member of the Legislature's Board of Internal Economy.
Ms. Harpauer currently resides in Humboldt.
Contact Information
- Room 348, Legislative Building
- 2405 Legislative Drive
- Regina, SK
- S4S 0B3
- Phone: (306) 787-7360
- Fax:
- Email: minister.edu@gov.sk.ca
- Website: http://gr.gov.sk.ca/oflc/
Yukon
Elaine Taylor
Deputy Premier
Minister of Community Services
Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission
Minister responsible for the Women's Directorate
Minister responsible for the French Language Services Directorate
Elaine Taylor was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly as the MLA for Whitehorse West in the general election of November 4, 2002.She was re-elected in the general elections of October 10, 2006 and October 11, 2011.Ms. Taylor was first sworn into Cabinet on November 30, 2002, re-appointed to Cabinet on October 28, 2006 and on November 5, 2011.
With nine years of Cabinet experience, Ms. Taylor has served as Deputy Premier, Minister of Education, Minister of Environment, Minister of Justice, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Minister responsible for the Public Service Commission and Minister responsible for the Women’s Directorate. She has also served as Government House Leader, Chair of the Standing Committee on Appointments to Major Government Boards and Committees, Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation and Chair of the Legislation Overview Committee.
Prior to her election to the Yukon Legislative Assembly, Ms. Taylor served as Executive Assistant to Government Leader Honourable John Ostashek and as a researcher and constituency caseworker for the Yukon Party Caucus.
Born and raised in Watson Lake, Yukon, Ms. Taylor attended Johnson Elementary and Watson Lake Secondary Schools. She attended Concordia College in Edmonton, Alberta and subsequently graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Political Science.
Ms. Taylor, along with her husband Troy and their son Will, reside in the Whitehorse West electoral district.
Contact Information
- Box 2703
- Whitehorse, YT
- Y1A 2C6
- Phone: (867) 667-8641
- Fax: (867) 393-6252
- Email: elaine.taylor@gov.yk.ca
- Website: http://www.hpw.gov.yk.ca/bfls/index.html
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