Announcement of the winners of the 2nd edition of the Ontario-Quebec Francophonie Trade Award!
Trois-Rivières, November 15, 2022—Today, as part of the Journée Économique—Perspective 2023, Jean-François Roberge, Quebec’s Minister responsible for Canadian Relations and Francophonie, as well as the Hon. Victor Fedeli, Chair of Cabinet & Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, government of Ontario, and the Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Ontario’s Minister of Francophone Affairs, unveiled the names of the winners of the 2022 Ontario-Quebec Francophonie Trade Award.
Organized by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) and the Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario (FGA), the award is presented each year to one company from Ontario and one from Québec. Its goal is to reward companies that have distinguished themselves in exporting to either province by placing the Francophonie at the heart of their exchanges. The two winning companies receive a cheque for $10,000.
- The Winner for Ontario is Ferme Avicole Laviolette
The farm produces superior quality eggs in the Prescott-Russell region and markets them through their sales and distribution team. The company distributes its eggs to the restaurant industry where owners are looking for a superior quality product to minimize waste during meals. Being a Franco-Ontarian company, French has always been the first language at Ferme Laviolette. All their employees are bilingual, both in production and on the sales/distribution side. Salespeople, delivery people and customer service agents can serve customers in French or English on both sides of the Ontario/Quebec border.
- The Winner for Quebec is Humance
Humance is a human resources and management consulting firm. Their practices include organizational strategy and transformation, leadership and team development, and talent assessment and integration. They combine business and people strategies to help organizations excel and transform. By developing leaders and teams, it helps organizations to be more human, efficient, and sustainable.
The first edition was a great success and the quality of the applications received made difficult the deliberations of the jury, composed of economic and political actors from both provinces. Coming from a wide range of sectors, all the companies have placed French at the heart of their business strategy. The next edition of the Ontario-Quebec Business Award in French will be held in Quebec in November 2023.
To learn more about the Award: https://prix-onqc.ca/a-propos/
Learn more about the jury: https://prix-onqc.ca/jury/
Quotes
“This second edition is a convincing example of the importance of celebrating the dynamic exchanges between the Francophone entrepreneurial communities of Quebec and Ontario. When it comes to Francophone economic relations between our two provinces, the excellence of the business community must be highlighted and put forward to not only encourage healthy economic relations, but to strengthen the Francophonie on a national scale.”
—Charles Milliard, president and CEO of the FCCQ.
“Initiatives such as the Ontario-Quebec Francophonie Trade Award and the excellence demonstrated by the candidates are a testament to the strength and influence of the Francophone economy. By committing to the use and promotion of French in business, our local companies stand out and open up new markets to sell, export and promote their products. This is an undeniable development asset to strengthen the economic and cultural ties between the various French-speaking regions, particularly between our two provinces. On behalf of the FGA, congratulations to Ferme Avicole Laviolette, the Franco-Ontarian company that won this year’s award, for its continued dedication to putting French at the heart of its internal and external business strategies. A big congratulations to Humance, the Quebec winner, and to all of this year’s finalists and candidates.”
—Dominic Mailloux, FGA President.
‘Congratulations to the two award winners and the finalists! The Quebec government is proud to highlight the vitality and success of these companies, which make French a key component of their export strategies and activities. Francophones are creators of collective wealth. Their contribution to society and the economy is a major one, and constitutes a true economic Francophonie.’
– Jean-François Roberge, Quebec Minister responsible for Canadian Relations and Francophonie
“On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I would like to congratulate Laviolette Poultry Farm, recipient of this award. This is a well-deserved recognition for this Franco-Ontarian company which, in addition to developing quality products, serves its clients in Ontario and Quebec with a staff that is a hundred percent bilingual. This demonstrates the quality of Franco-Ontarian entrepreneurship and its role as an engine of growth for the Francophonie,’ said Caroline Mulroney, Ontario’s Minister of Francophone Affairs. ‘I also salute Quebec’s winning company, Humance, which, through its expertise, helps organizations develop an engaging and inclusive culture to improve performance. The winners of the Ontario-Québec Francophonie Trade Award remind us once again this year of Francophone entrepreneurship excellence!’
—The Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Ontario’s Minister of Francophone Affairs.
‘Congratulations to Ferme Avicole Laviolette of beautiful Saint-Isidore, Ontario and to all the finalists nominated for this year’s Ontario-Québec Francophonie Trade Award,’ said Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. ‘Your dedication and hard work are helping to foster interprovincial trade and continued collaboration between Ontario and Quebec. We’re proud to support Francophone businesses like Ferme Avicole Laviolette as part of our government’s plan to build Ontario.’
—The Hon. Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
About the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec
Thanks to its vast network of 123 chambers of commerce and 1,100 corporate members, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) represents more than 45,000 businesses operating in all sectors of the economy throughout Quebec. The FCCQ is the largest network of business people and companies in Quebec and is both a federation of chambers of commerce and a provincial chamber of commerce. Its members, whether chambers or businesses, all pursue the same goal: to foster an innovative and competitive business environment.
About the Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario (FGA)
The Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario supports, represents and advances the interests of its members and economic stakeholders to fully develop the Francophone business community through principled policy work, resourceful business services and innovative activities focused on Francophone business market development.
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For more information, please contact
Laurent Corbeil
Communications Advisor and Press Officer
Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec
514-844-9571 ext. 3602 | C. 514-827-3723
laurent.corbeil@fccq.ca
Fédération des gens d’affaires francophones de l’Ontario
Mélanie Grenier
Communications Manager
media@fedefranco.ca
Richard Kempler
Executive Director
richard.kempler@fedefranco.ca
