About The Award

The Bonjour! Award for Excellence in French-language Services recognizes outstanding contributions to the development and delivery of French-language programs and services by public servants of Nova Scotia. The Award encourages and inspires public servants to respond proactively to the needs of the Acadian and Francophone community.

Who is eligible for nomination?

Nominations may be submitted for an individual or a group of government employees who work(s) in an eligible department, office or agency that provides services in French. Eligible departments, offices or agencies are the designated public institutions as named in the French-language Services Regulations. Staff members of the Office of Acadian Affairs are not eligible for nomination.

Who can submit a nomination?

Members of the public : Any member of the public who has received service in French from a government employee may submit a nomination for the Service Delivery to the Public category.

Government employees: A government employee may submit a nomination for fellow government employees in the Leadership or Program Development categories.

What are the nomination categories?

  1. Excellence in Service Delivery to the Public (nominations from government employees AND from members of the public)
    This category recognizes an individual or a group who has provided exemplary service in French. The nominee actively offers to serve clients in French on a continual basis, and strive to improve their capacity to provide quality services in French.
  2. Excellence in Leadership (nominations from government employees)
    This category recognizes an individual or a group who has encouraged or inspired others to develop or enhance French-language services; or identified or led initiatives that resulted in improved French-language services that align with the corporate strategy.
  3. Excellence in Program Development (nominations from government employees)
    This category recognizes an individual or a group who has developed a new concept in conjunction with French-language services or uniquely adapted an existing program or process for the benefit of the Acadian and francophone community. The nominee has engaged staff and stakeholders in developing, identifying and implementing innovative programs or services and encouraged the exploration of new perspectives and new ways of doing things.

How to submit a nomination

How to submit a nomination

Nominations from members of the public may be submitted by:

  1. Online nomination form: visit the Acadian Affairs web site to fill out and submit a form online.
  2. Downloadable nomination form: visit the Acadian Affairs web site to download and print the PDF version of the form.  Please mail this form to Acadian Affairs using the address indicated on the form.
  3. Mailed nomination form: A return postage-paid form can be mailed to you on request. Contact Daniel Arpin, Secretary/Receptionist, Acadian Affairs by telephone (902) 424-0497, toll free 1-866-382-5811 or email bonjour@gov.ns.ca, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Nominations from government employees may be submitted by:

  1. Online nomination form: visit the Office of Acadian Affairs web site to fill out and submit a form online.
  2. Downloadable nomination form: visit the Office of Acadian Affairs web site to download and print the PDF version of the form.  This form may be submitted via interdepartmental mail to the Office of Acadian Affairs, attention Bonjour! Award for Excellence in French-language Services.

Should I fill out the nomination form in English or French?

Nomination forms may be filled out in either English or French. The language in which the nomination form is received will not affect how the nomination form is evaluated. Please note that members of the public submitting a nomination form should have received service in French by a government employee.

How are the nominees chosen?

The nominee’s evaluation will be solely based on the information contained on the nomination form. Nominees are chosen by a selection committee which will be comprised of:

  • A representative from the Acadian and francophone community named by FANE.
  • A representative from the government of Nova Scotia named by the Committee of Deputy Ministers and the Office of Acadian Affairs on the Implementation of the French-language Services Act.
  • A representative from Canadian Heritage.
  • A representative from the French-language Services Coordinating Committee.
  • A staff member from the Office of Acadian Affairs who will serve as a facilitator (non-voting member).

What do the successful nominees receive?

Successful nominees will be formally recognized during the Bonjour! Award for French-language Services ceremony in March 2010. The ceremony coincides with the worldwide celebration of the Journée internationale de la Francophonie.

For more information about the Award contact

Toll free telephone
1-800-670-4357, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Daniel Arpin
Secretary/Receptionist, Acadian Affairs
Telephone: (902) 424-0497
Toll free telephone: 1-866-382-5811
Email: bonjour@gov.ns.ca