National Order of Quebec
The National Order of Quebec (in French l'Ordre national du Québec) is an order of merit given by the Government of Quebec. It was instituted by the government of Premier René Lévesque. It is one of the most prestigious awards of Quebec and French America. It is partly inspired by the French Legion of Honor.
Description
The Ordre national du Québec was created by law on June 20, 1984 by the National Assembly of Quebec. It is conferred upon men and women, either Quebec citizens or foreigners, for outstanding achievements in most fields. The law states that nominations can also be made posthumously. The law also grants the Premier of Quebec the exclusive privilege of proceeding to foreign nominations. Foreigners who receive the Order are often honored for a loyal friendship to Quebec, helping make Quebec better known and respected on the international stage, or for defending the French language. The insignias are delivered during official ceremonies at the Salon Rouge in the Hôtel du Parlement of the National Assembly, which used to be the former home of the Legislative Council of Quebec. Exceptions are made when recipients cannot be present (notably for some foreign nominations).
Council
The Council of the National Order of Quebec (le Conseil de l’Ordre national du Québec), elected by and amongst the members of the Order, has the mandate of emitting favorable notices of advisal based on candidacies received after public calls published in the written press of Quebec. The notices of the Council are transmitted to the Premier, who submits them to the Council of Ministers for the final decision.
Distinctions
The award consists of three classes. In descending order of distinction, they are:
- Grand Officer (Grand Officier),
- Officer (Officier),
- Knight (Chevalier).
Recipients
Many have received the honor of the National Order of Quebec since its birth, in 1984. These are some of the most memorable recipients.
National nominations
Grand Officer
- Jean Drapeau (1987) - Mayor of Montreal
- Marcelle Ferron (1992) - Painter and stained glass artist
- Armand Frappier (1985) - Researcher
- Gérard Filion (1989) - Newspaper director
- Paul Gérin-Lajoie (Officer in 1987, Grand Officer in 1998)
- Félix Leclerc (1985) - Signer-composer
- Jean-Paul Lemieux (1997, posthumously)
- Brian Mulroney (2002) - Prime Minister of Canada
- Gérard Parizeau (1991) - Insurer, historian
- Jean-Paul Riopelle (Officer in 1988, Grand Officer in 1994) - Painter
- Gilles Vigneault (Knight in 1985, Grand Officer in 2000) - Signer-composer
Officer
- Laurent Beaudoin (1990) - Businessman
- Michel Brault (2003) - Cineast
- Solange Chaput-Roland (1985)
- Céline Dion (1998) - Signer
- Léon Dion (1990) - Author, teacher, intellectual
- Jean Ducceppe (1985) - Actor
- Fernand Dumont (1992) - Author, intellectual
- Anne Hébert (1985) - Writer
- Louis Laberge (1988) - Union leader
- Antonine Maillet (1990) - Writer, playwright
- Gaston Miron (1996) - Poet
- Ted Moses (2002) - Aboriginal Chief
- Julie Payette (2000) - Astronaut
- Lise Payette (2001) - Politician, writer
- Pierre Perreault (1998) - Cineast
- Hubert Reeves (1994) - Astrophysician
- Maurice Richard (1985) - Hockey player
Knight
- Denys Arcand (1990) - Cineast
- Frédérick Back (1989)
- Denise Bombardier (2000) - Journalist
- Gaétan Boucher (1985) - Speed skater
- Pierre Bourque (1993) - Mayor of Montreal
- Jean Coutu (1993) - Businessman
- Françoise David (1999) - Social and feminist activist
- Yvon Deschamps (2001) - Comic
- Diane Dufresne (2002) - Signer, painter
- Marc Favreau (1995) - Actor
- Jean-Pierre Ferland - Signer-composer
- Madeleine Ferron (1992) - Writer
- Denise Filiatrault (2000) - Playwright, actor
- Jacques Godbout (1998) - Writer, cineast
- Pauline Julien (1997) - Signer-composer
- Marie-Claire Kirkland Casgrain (1985)
- Jacques Lacoursière (2002) - Historian
- Guy Laliberté (1997)
- Robert Lepage (1999) - Playwright, cineast
- Claude Léveillé (1998) - Signer-composer
- Raymond Lévesque (1997) - Signer-composer
- Édouard Lock (2001)
- Louis Lortie (1998) - Pianist
- Norman McLaren (1985) - Animator, film director
- Pierre Nadeau (1992) - Journalist
- Oscar Peterson (1991) - Jazz musician
- Luc Plamondon (1990) - Song writer
- Ghislain Picard (2003) - Aboriginal activist
- Léa Roback (2000) - Feminist and socialist activist
- Jean-Louis Roux (1989) - Actor
- Michel Tremblay (1991) - Playwright, writer
Foreign nominations
Grand Officer
Officer
Knight
See also
