Maureen O’Neil is a woman whose commitment and devotion to empowering citizens has served as one of the principal forces behind her career. She has led national organizations promoting social justice and equality, notably as President of the International Development Research Centre since 1997.
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A female pioneer in the field of law, the Honourable Louise Mailhot’s career includes an impressive list of firsts. The first female intern admitted to the Martineau Walker firm, the first female lawyer appointed to the Quebec Bar Executive Committee and the first woman appointed judge of the Quebec Court of Appeal.
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Daniel Langlois' technological innovations have changed the cinematic landscape, principally through his work with 3D technology. A pioneer in his field, he has founded Softimage, Media Principia Inc, Pix Cinema and Ex-Centris. Today, he is the president and founder of the Daniel Langlois Foundation for Art, Science and Technology.
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Professor Emeritus of the Department of Economics and former rector (1998-2005) of the Université de Montréal, Robert Lacroix has dedicated 35 years of his life to the institution, his alma mater, where he has played a decisive and transformative role.  Dr. Lacroix is a staunch advocate of education and university research, which he considers vital to the development of society.  The prolific researcher, a recipient of numerous awards and honours, is among the leading specialists in t...
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Maria Klawe is the embodiment of her own belief that the fields in which she herself has excelled – mathematics, science and engineering – demand and nurture creativity. A renowned scholar, educator and advocate, Maria Klawe has made a practice of harnessing technology to enhance learning and motivation, and opening doors of opportunities for others.
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Throughout his long and distinguished career as an esteemed author and journalist, Graham Fraser has straddled the language divide writing extensively on Quebec and its relationship with Canada. His deep understanding and sensitivity to Canada’s linguistic duality and language serve us all in his role as Commissioner of Official Languages.
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Chief statistician of Canada Ivan Fellegi is an exceptional leader. His vision and outstanding work for close to half a century has resulted in an independent data collection organization where the numbers paint a portrait of our country. The system has allowed for greater insight into public policy issues and has informed decision making.
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One of our country’s most successful executives, Dominic D’Alessandro is an exemplary leader whose business acumen and solid corporate values have set the standard for corporations worldwide. He is highly respected for his integrity, his commitment to social responsibility, his dedication to corporate philanthropy and his overall contribution to our nation’s competitiveness.
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Cathy Crowe believes that small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. It is this type of thinking that has motivated her to work tirelessly as a street nurse, serving the basic health needs of the homeless. A passionate and committed advocate for the rights of the homeless, she has been instrumental in generating awareness of the issue and lobbying government to act.
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Through her books, plays, documentaries, interviews and teaching, Maria Campbell has employed her unique storytelling gifts to engage, challenge and transform the perceptions of audiences around the world. In the process, she has inspired and mentored other artists, and been instrumental in promoting and preserving the unique culture of the Métis people.
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