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Uniting Around Canadian Books
Host
Hughie Batherson – Speaker, Comedian, and Ambassador of Bilingualism
A recipient of numerous awards for his conferences, leadership, and comedic talent, Hughie has established himself over the past 20 years as one of the most sought-after speakers in Canada. He has inspired and entertained more than 100,000 people across the country with his motivational and humorous presentations, focusing on the importance of bilingualism in all its dimensions: personal, cultural, cognitive, athletic, artistic, and social.
A former public school teacher and university professor, Hughie holds a Master’s degree in Education, with research centered on the use of humor in the classroom. Originally from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and an anglophone by birth, Hughie began learning French at the age of 19. Since then, he has fully immersed himself in the Acadian Francophone community of Atlantic Canada, drawing on his experiences to share unique and authentic anecdotes about life in a Francophone environment and the challenges of language barriers. His career as a comedian began at the “Juste pour rire en Acadie” amateur competition, where he won first prize, leading to a performance before more than 700 spectators at the Hubcap Comedy Festival Gala in Moncton. He was subsequently invited to participate in the national “Juste pour rire” tour as part of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie and has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in Quebec and Acadian comedy.
Hughie has received the prestigious Camille-Antoine Richard Award from the Société Nationale de l’Acadie for his inspiration to Acadian youth, as well as the Lieutenant Governor’s Award in 2022 for his outstanding contribution to the Francophonie of Nova Scotia.
- Isabelle Mondou, Deputy Minister, Canadian Heritage, and Champion of the Official Languages Community
- Bill Matthews, Secretary of the Treasury Board
- Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada
- Brigitte Gibson, Director General, Heritage Branch, Canadian Heritage, and Co-chair, Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions
- Lucie Séguin, Assistant Deputy Minister, Receiver General and Pension Branch, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Co-chair, Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions
- Arianne Reza, Deputy Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada
Communities at a glance
Quebec Writers’ Federation: Writing in the Margins
Get an inside look at the vibrant world of the Quebec Writers’ Federation through the voices of its executive director and three engaging members. Discover how this dedicated organization supports English-language writers in a predominantly French-speaking environment, fostering a diverse and flourishing literary community. With 990 members from a wide range of backgrounds, the Quebec Writers’ Federation stands at the heart of one of Canada’s most exciting literary scenes.
Regroupement des éditeurs franco-canadiens ( Association of French-Canadian Publishers) : showcasing French-Canadian literature
Meet the passionate members of the Regroupement des éditeurs franco-canadiens (Association of French-Canadian Publishers) who illustrate how their work in the publishing sector contributes to the vitality and growth of Canada's Francophone community. Discover the vibrant energy, rich diversity, and influence of this association and its members in the Canadian cultural landscape.
Author
Tomson Highway
Internationally renowned playwright, writer, composer, and pianist. Born in northern Manitoba in 1951, he is considered one of Canada's most important Indigenous artists.
Discussion Panel
Immerse yourself in a discussion that will highlight the richness and strength of Canada's two official languages through literature. This discussion will explore how English and French, as languages of cultural expression, can become powerful vectors of dialogue, empathy and openness, helping to build a more inclusive and united society. Bringing together passionate guests from diverse backgrounds - three public servants who also act as official languages champions within their federal institutions, and two members of the public with unique backgrounds - this talk promises an authentic and enriching exchange around Canadian literature!
Panellists
- Elizabeth Armitage, Director General, Communications and Parliamentary Affairs & OL Champion, Public Prosecution Service of Canada
- Oscar Lavitt, Student, Office of the Clerk, House of Commons of Canada
- Trystan Warnock-Juteau, Palaeontologist, artist, Carleton University
- Blaise Ndala, Writer and Deputy Director of Investigations, Office of the Correctional Investigator of Canada
- Joanne Larocque-Poirier, Director General, Communications and Arts Engagement, Canada Council for the Arts
Artists
Raine Hamilton - Singer-songwriter and classically trained violinist
Raine Hamilton is a Canadian singer-songwriter and classically trained violinist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is known for her distinctive 'chamber-folk' style, which blends the traditions of classical string quartets with modern folk songwriting.
Information
Date and time: September 11, 2025, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET)
Registration: Official Languages Day: Uniting around Canadian Books
The event is open to the public. For technical support or help registering for this event, please email: learningevents-evenementsdapprentissage@csps-efpc.gc.ca.
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