OTTAWA – Port Sept-Iles received a Special Award for Support to the Reserve Force in a ceremony Friday at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. The Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC) presented the award to Port President, Mr. Pierre Gagnon at the Council’s Tenth Biennial National Employer Support Awards. The awards are held to recognize and honour government business and educational institutions for their support of the Primary Reserve Force.
Lieutenant Commander Francois Levesque, Commanding Officer of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) JOILLET, the Naval Reserve Division, in Sept-Iles Quebec, nominated Port Sept-Iles to receive the award. “Mr. Pierre Gagnon, President and Director General of Port Sept-Iles, is a fervent promoter of HMCS Jolliet and the Naval Reserve in Sept-Iles. Our two organizations have shown exemplary collaboration in the region,” said Levesque, who praised Port Sept-Iles, which has helped promote the unit in the local area. “The Post has even referred employees of Port Sept-Iles to HMCS Jolliet for enrollment in the Naval Reserves.” Lévesque served 10 years in the Army Reserve as Logistic Officer and other various positions before transferring to the Regular Force as a Naval Officer in 2001. He is currently enrolled with Université du Québec through distance learning to complete his Business degree.
Similar awards were presented to 19 organizations from across Canada, including business and academic institutions, recognized for their outstanding support to Canadian Armed Forces Reserve members. Vice-Admiral Bruce Donaldson, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, and many other senior military and government officials were among the more than 150 nominators, recipients, and guests attendance. Retired veteran journalist, Mr. Don Newman served as master of ceremonies for the event, which was held amidst the historic military artifacts of the Canadian War Museum’s LeBreton Gallery.
The CFLC is a group of civilian business leaders and educators who volunteer their time and effort to promote the primary Reserve Force – Canada’s part-time military – by highlighting the benefits of Reserve Force training and experience to the civilian workplace.
The mandate of the CFLC is to enhance the availability of Reservists for military duty by obtaining the support and co-operation of organization leaders in Canada. The CFLC’s vision is that all organization leaders in Canada actively support Reservists.