NAC Congratulates René Cormier on Appointment to Canada's Senate

The National Arts Centre (NAC) is delighted that René Cormier – Artistic Director of the Zones Théâtrales, the NAC’s biennial showcase of professional Francophone theatre from across Canada and the Quebec regions – has been recommended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for appointment to Canada’s Senate.

In addition to being a rendezvous for the creators and supporters of French-language theatre, Zones Théâtrales is also an opportunity to promote public awareness of the work of francophone theatre artists in this country.

“Since becoming the Artistic Director of Zones Théâtrales in 2010, René Cormier has been a tireless champion working to advance the National Arts Centre’s commitment to promoting linguistic duality and to enhancing the vitality of the French linguistic minority communities in Canada,” said Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the NAC. “René has greatly contributed to reinventing our national theatre landscape by bringing together Francophone artists from Western Canada, Ontario, the Quebec Regions and Acadia by introducing producers and presenters to our artists’ latest creations, supporting the development of a strong and original dramaturgy, and by promoting exchanges between creators, company managers, producers/presenters and audiences. Congratulations René on this prestigious appointment on behalf of all your colleagues at the NAC.”  

Here is the Government of Canada’s full statement issued this morning:

“The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that he will recommend, to the Governor General, the appointment of nine new, independent Senators to fill vacancies in the Senate for British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.  In doing so, the Government is today taking further concrete steps to follow through on its commitment to improve the appointments process, and to restore public trust in a reformed Senate. The individuals being recommended today for appointment to the Senate were chosen using the Government of Canada’s new merit-based process – which is designed to help ensure that the Senate is independent, reflective of Canada’s diversity, and best able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country. Under the new process, the following people are being recommended for appointment to the Senate... 

NEW BRUNSWICK

René Cormier

 René Cormier has a record as a professional in Canada’s arts and culture community, but also as a social actor and a leader within the international Francophonie. He has unparalleled experience and expertise within the arts and culture community in Canada and speaks from his own experience and life as a Francophone New Brunswicker and from his vision of the development of the Acadian people. He has served as President of the Commission internationale du théâtre francophone, Director of the Théâtre populaire d’Acadie, President of the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française, and board member of the Canadian Conference of the Arts, and is currently the Artistic Director of Zones Théâtrales at the National Arts Centre and President of the Société Nationale de l’Acadie, the lead organization for the International Strategy for the Promotion of Acadian Artists. His knowledge of Canada’s legislative process and Constitution is based on his professional experience and his volunteer activities in cultural and linguistic files associated with various legislation, including the Status of the Artist Act, the Broadcasting Act, the Copyright Act, and the Official Languages Act. Mr. Cormier is recognized for his ability to build bridges between often divided cultural groups. He has received awards for his contribution to the cultural sector by various organizations, including the Ordre des francophones d’Amérique. He is also a Knight of Arts and Letters of France.”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Carl Martin
Senior Advisor, Communications
National Arts Centre
613-947-7000, ext. 560

 

 

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