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Changes At Francophone Affairs Office - September 25, 2009

Premier McGuinty Appoints New Deputy Minister

Ontario's Office of Francophone Affairs has a new Deputy Minister.

Dr. Paul Genest was appointed Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Associate Secretary of the Cabinet in August. Premier McGuinty added Francophone Affairs to his portfolio yesterday.

Before joining the Ontario government, Genest served as President and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities. He also once served as Director of Policy and Research in the Prime Minister's Office.

The Office of Francophone Affairs is committed to ensuring Francophones have access to provincial government services in French and that they participate in the social, economic and political life of the province, while maintaining their linguistic and cultural heritage.

Quick Facts

  • Dr. Genest also served the federal government as Director General of Intergovernmental Affairs for Health Canada and was a senior policy advisor to two federal ministers of Health.
  • He has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He holds an Honours B.A. in English and philosophy from the University of Guelph, an M.A. in philosophy from the University of Ottawa and an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from John Hopkins University.
  • Ontario is home to nearly 600,000 francophones or roughly 4.8 per cent of the province's total population. It is the largest francophone community in Canada outside of Quebec.

Related Links

Find out more about the work of the Office of Francophone Affairs.

Quotes

Ontario benefits from the diversity of its people. I know Paul Genest will bring to his new position the skills and determination to make sure Francophone issues get the attention they deserve.

–Dalton McGuinty

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