“I wanted the City to recognize the citizens who make Baie-Saint-Paul shine, whether on the local, regional, provincial, national or international scene. You are inspiring role models for the entire community and you are one of our exceptional citizens whose actions inspire us and make us proud to be Baiesaintpaulois. The Baie-Saint-Paul Order of Merit, the highest honorary distinction awarded by the City, is a tribute highlighting your exceptional contribution. I would like to congratulate you and thank you warmly. » explained the Mayor, Michaël Pilote.
For the first year of existence of the Order of Merit of Baie-Saint-Paul, the Town received several excellent candidates. The jury met behind closed doors and had to make difficult choices. Thus, for 2022, the jury has chosen six exceptional candidates from as many sectors of activity.
In the community sector, Ms. Claudine Fortin, director of Forum Jeunesse, has been involved for more than 25 years in the community environment with young people and has contributed to the establishment of youth centers in Charlevoix. It helps to equip and strengthen the skills and self-esteem of thousands of young people to enable them to become critical, active and responsible citizens.
In the cultural sector, Mrs. Anne-Marie Dufour and Mr. Clément Turgeon-Thériault, co-founders of the Festif!, contribute greatly to the influence of Baie-Saint-Paul on the provincial scene in the field of performing arts and music. They have reinvented the very concept of the festival formula. They succeed in making the city an open-plan stage where festival-goers, artists and citizens go from surprise to surprise, discovering unusual scenes, spontaneous events featuring not only music, but also the city , its heritage, its landscapes while involving citizens. This, by embracing the eco-responsible values of Baie-Saint-Paul.
In the field of business, industrial sector, Mr. André-Marie Simard, a man of vision and challenges, who made the family shop an avant-garde company, undisputed leader in the field of truck modification and suspension installation across the Americas. He participated in the local economy and allowed employees to evolve and to realize themselves locally.
In the health sector, Dr. Jean-Denis Paquet, man of heart, vision and determination who, as president of the Hospital Foundation, contributes to the realization of projects enabling the Baie-Saint-Paul Hospital to acquire equipment and instruments for the cutting edge technology. The population of Charlevoix now has local access to quality health services.
In the field of municipal politics, Mr. Jean Fortin, a man of vision, was in politics for 32 years, including 25 years as mayor of Baie-Saint-Paul. He was able to equip himself with a plan and tools for the sustainable development of Baie-Saint-Paul, giving a large place to the citizens. These tools are now cited as an example in Quebec, Canada and internationally, thus contributing to the influence of the city recognized as one of the most attractive in Canada..
The Order of Merit
This prize is awarded to a person who shines on the municipal territory or outside (national or international scenes), and this, in a sustained and important way. Involvement takes place in the following areas: business, science, education, culture, community life, humanitarian work or sports.
It can also be a legal person, represented by a leader, seen as an ambassador organization, to whom the distinction is awarded in recognition of an exploit, an achievement, a gesture or a mission that contributes to making Baie-Saint-Paul shine. The recognition is awarded on a permanent basis and is presented once a year.
The winners receive an honorary certificate, a medal and an exclusive pin stamped with the Order of Merit of Baie-Saint-Paul and sign the Town’s guestbook. In addition, the planting of a tree on which their name will be engraved will be carried out during the year.
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