The winners of the 2007 Lieutenant-Governor’s Dialogue Award were announced at a ceremony on June 21 in Saint John. The recipients of the annual honour were: Arthur Irving, Janice LeBlanc, Richard Rice, and the New Brunswick Heart Centre.

 

Speaking to guests at Centre scolaire-communautaire Samuel-de-Champlain in Saint John, the Honourable Herménégilde Chiasson, Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, said: “These three individuals and the staff of the New Brunswick Heart Centre are all role models who champion the principles of harmony and respect between our province’s Anglophone and Francophone communities. They exemplify, in their words and deeds, the best intentions of all residents of Canada’s only officially bilingual province.”

 

Established in 2003, the Lieutenant-Governor’s Dialogue Award is given out annually by Dialogue New Brunswick (DNB) – a provincial, non-profit organization that promotes understanding, respect and appreciation between English-speaking and French-speaking citizens of the province.

 

According to DNB’s executive director, Carole Fournier, recipients are selected by a five-member jury.

 

“It’s never easy for the jury to choose one individual or institution over another,” she said. “There are so many deserving people in this province – so many who devote their time and energy to the cause of linguistic and cultural harmony and understanding. This year’s recipients follow in the tradition and lead in their commitment to these principles.”