Submit a Nomination for the 2013-14 Bonjour! Awards

Beginning on September 19, Nova Scotians can help celebrate excellence in French-language services by nominating a provincial public servant for a Bonjour! Award.

Launched five years ago, the awards help promote the availability and accessibility of government’s French-language services by honouring those who work hard to make it all possible. From individual efforts to departmental initiatives, the Bonjour! Awards recognize outstanding contributions in the development and delivery of French-language programs and services that reflect the needs of Nova Scotia’s Acadian and francophone community.

Nominated by the public or by their public service colleagues, individuals or groups are given consideration in three categories: Excellence in Leadership, Excellence in Program Development, and Excellence in Service Delivery to the Public.

At last year’s ceremony, awards were presented to Jennifer Evans, Maggie Hope-Simpson and Michael Warner.

The provincial librarian at the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, Jennifer Evans received the Excellence in Leadership Award for her work in establishing a partnership between the Provincial Library, Acadian Affairs, and the regional library boards to enhance the services offered by public libraries in French.

An adult education co-ordinator with the Department of Labour and Advanced Education, Maggie Hope-Simpson was recognized with the Excellence in Program Development Award for her support of the development of high quality adult literacy programs for Nova Scotia's Acadian and francophone community.

A program officer with the Department of Labour and Advanced Education, Michael Warner received the Excellence in Service Delivery Award for his help in analyzing and interpreting materials in French to support the Employment Nova Scotia Transformation Team in serving Nova Scotia's Acadian and francophone population.

Once the nomination period closes on October 31, 2013, a selection committee with representatives from the Acadian and francophone community, as well as the provincial and federal public service, will evaluate all of the submissions and select the successful nominees. The winners will be honoured at a ceremony in February, 2014.

To download or submit a nomination form online, visit the Bonjour! Awards page. For more information, call Acadian Affairs at 1-800-670-4357 or contact bonjour@gov.ns.ca.

To learn more about services in French, visit government’s Bonjour! Page or follow the province's French-language Twitter account @gouvNE.