November 23, 2009
Governor General Meets with the Grand Témoin de la Francophonie for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver
OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor of Canada, met with Mr. Pascal Couchepin, Grand Témoin de la Francophonie for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
During their meeting held today at Rideau Hall, the Governor General and Mr. Couchepin discussed the importance of the French language and of la Francophonie within the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
His Excellency Abdou Diouf, Secretary General to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, designated Mr. Pascal Couchepin as the Grand Témoin de la Francophonie. Mr. Couchepin, who succeeds Mr. Pierre Raffarin, the former prime minister of France, has been tasked to assess the placement and usage of the French language by organizing committees during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and to submit a report to the International Olympic Committee after the Games’ completion.
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Media Information:
Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-0287
613-302-0912 (cell.)
meletourneau@gg.ca
www.gg.ca
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca
