Apr 28, 2009

Vancouver, BC — Following the inaugural meeting of a new Board Advisory Committee on Official Languages, the announcement of French-Canadian talent as part of Cultural Olympiad 2010, the addition of a French language newspaper as an Official Partner, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will today make a presentation to the Standing Committee on Official Languages. The presentation will update Parliament on progress towards the staging of the 2010 Winter Games to celebrate Canada’s two official languages and its cultural diversity. Representing VANOC before the House of Commons Committee on Official Languages will be VANOC board member Jacques Gauthier and director of Official Languages Francine Bolduc.

Official Languages Advisory Committee inaugural meeting April 24
At their inaugural meeting last Friday, members of VANOC’s Board on Official Languages for the 2010 Winter Games made recommendations for how the Organizing Committee can best meet its commitment in ensuring both of Canada’s official languages are well represented and celebrated at the Games.

The advisory committee, chaired by Jacques Gauthier, includes prominent French Canadians with a proven track record and expertise in the field of bilingualism, as well as Jean-Pierre Raffarin, a former prime minister of France, who was appointed “Grand Témoin” by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie for the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Committee members will report regularly to VANOC’s board of directors and will reconvene again later this summer.

 “I can say with confidence that all of the distinguished experts at the table share the objective of not only meeting our official languages obligations but also setting an example for future Games,” said Gauthier. “VANOC has made significant progress recently in its commitments towards showcasing Canada’s rich cultural diversity and linguistic duality. All members have agreed we can succeed in this undertaking and we will devote all of our energies to that end.” 

“The 2010 Winter Games offer an historic opportunity for Canada to promote and reaffirm its linguistic duality and cultural diversity for which it is known around the world,” said Raffarin. “Obviously, the expectations for Vancouver are higher than past host cities, but I have no doubt VANOC and its partners will succeed in ensuring the French language enjoys the presence, the visibility and the usefulness up to and even beyond the criteria established by the Olympic Charter. Delivering bilingual Games is a huge undertaking and one to which I am proud to make a contribution.”

Further background on VANOC’s commitment to official languages and the creation of the Advisory Committee are below.

French-Canadian talent key part of Cultural Olympiad 2010 lineup 
Among the first 20 projects announced today as part of Cultural Olympiad 2010, several are from prominent French-Canadian artists, including Quebec’s Robert Lepage, who continues his internationally celebrated, imaginative and innovative stagecraft with The Blue Dragon/Le Dragon Bleu, the sequel to his acclaimed series The Dragons’ Trilogy. La Compagnie Marie Chouinard will unveil the world premiere of a newly commissioned contemporary dance piece, Montreal’s Cirque Éloize will bring Rain to the Games, and Juste pour rire 2010 will present three brilliant evenings of fun and laughter with la crème de la crème of Canada’s francophone comedians. Jorane will join Martha Wainwright for “Chanteuses modernes” on what promises to be an unforgettable night.

La Presse on the Vancouver 2010 team
VANOC will report today to the House Committee on its April 8, 2009 announcement of La Presse as its Official French Language Newspaper Supplier. This fulfills another recommendation made by Graham Fraser, Canada’s official languages Commissioner in his December 2008 report. The sponsorship provides VANOC with greater regional advertising avenues through print and online publishing in Gesca Ltée’s eight publications, including La Presse.

Background: the VANOC Avisory Committee on Official Languages and VANOC commitment to official languages
The Board Advisory Committee members include: former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Judith A. LaRocque, deputy minister, Department of Canadian Heritage; Michel Matifat, associate member, Canadian Foundation for Cross-Cultural Dialogue; Serge Corbeil, vice president, Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique; and Donna Wilson, VANOC’s executive vice president, workforce and sustainability, Jacques Gauthier, member of VANOC’s board of directors and Francine Bolduc, Director, official languages at VANOC.

The creation of the panel was among the recommendations made by Graham Fraser in his report late last year on VANOC’s progress in its commitment to deliver the Games in both official languages. The Advisory Committee will provide strategic advice to the Organizing Committee on the delivery of its official languages objectives, francophone culture in the context of the Games, as well as assist in collaborations between key stakeholders and Canada’s French-speaking community partners to ensure their full participation in Canada’s Games.

For everyone who attends the 2010 Winter Games, whether a figure skating competition or the dramatic Opening Ceremonies, VANOC is committed to ensuring the atmosphere and services for athletes, spectators and other visitors will be warm, welcoming and bilingual. This means, for example, that both French and English will be used on venue signs, in medal ceremonies and by volunteers taking tickets, driving vehicles, providing directions and selling merchandise.

About VANOC
VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Please visit http://www.vancouver2010.com for more information.

Contact
If you are a member of the media, please contact mediarelations@vancouver2010.com

For all other inquiries, please contact info@vancouver2010.com