The Royal Canadian Mint issued the following news release.
First French explorers in Ontario honoured with Royal Canadian Mint silver coin celebrating the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain in Huronia
OTTAWA, June 11, 2015 — Four hundred years after French explorers led by Samuel de Champlain explored the territory that would become present-day Ontario, the Royal Canadian Mint has issued a silver collector coin celebrating the 400th anniversary of Champlain’s historic journey to Huronia. The coin was unveiled today in Ottawa, Ontario, during the official launch of the 2015 Festival Franco-Ontarien.
From left: Patrick Hadsipantelis, Royal Canadian Mint Vice-President of Marketing and Communications, Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orleans, The Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Attorney General of Ontario and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, and Josée Vaillancourt, President of the Franco-Ontarian Festival, unveil a new silver collector coin in Ottawa to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlains visit to Huronia. (CNW Group/Royal Canadian Mint)
“The Government of Canada values the Royal Canadian Mint’s unique ability to deepen our understanding of Canadian history through the production of meticulously crafted collector coins,” said Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orléans. “The Mint’s newest silver coin sheds new light on the story of Samuel de Champlain’s exploration of Huronia and reminds us that, after four centuries, his legacy lives on through the richness of Franco-Ontarian culture.”
“I am thrilled to celebrate this momentous occasion for francophones and francophiles in Ontario and would like to thank the Royal Canadian Mint for its representation of Champlain’s arrival on the shores of Georgian Bay – a turning point in the history of our province,” said the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Attorney General of Ontario and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.
“As the famed founder of Quebec City, Samuel de Champlain is an imposing historical figure whose role in the early history of Ontario deserves to be told on a Royal Canadian Mint coin,” said Sandra Hanington, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. “We are pleased to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Champlain’s visit to Huronia on a new silver collector coin which opens a new window on his numerous contributions to Canadian history.”
The reverse image of this 99.99% pure silver coin designed by Canadian artist Laurie McGaw is engraved to emulate the famed 17th century astrolabe—long attributed to Champlain—found in Cobden, Ontario. Against this navigational tool is set a full-body portrait of Samuel de Champlain. Visible through the spaces between the astrolabe’s latitude and longitude crosshairs are engravings of scenes from Champlain’s journeys in Huronia, which also depict the Huron guides who were indispensable to his expedition. The unique reverse is engraved with the word “CANADA”, the date “2015” and the face value of “3 DOLLARS”. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
This coin has a limited mintage of 10,000 and retails for $29.95.
The coin can be ordered directly from the Mint as of June 11 at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or on the Internet at www.mint.ca. The coin will also be available at the Royal Canadian Mint’s boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, as well as through the Mint’s global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.
About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.
Thanks to Kathryn Lake Hogan for sharing this on Twitter.
La Minister Madeleine Meilleur des Francophone Affairs en Ontario se contredit!!!
Dans The Ottawa Citizen du Monday, January 07, 2008, elle dit :
« Ontario francophones threatened, Meilleur says »
« Les francophones d’Ontario sont en péril, dit la ministre!!! »
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=5f4d16bc-7e0d-4434-8651-9d76e9739969
Dans l’édition 2005 des Profils statistiques sur les francophones en Ontario, du 27 septembre 2005, elle conclut :
« Soyez assurés, je suis très optimiste. J’ai la ferme conviction, plus que jamais, que l’avenir appartient aux francophones de l’Ontario. »
http://www.ofa.gov.on.ca/francais/stats.html
Vous trouverez, ci-dessous une lettre que je lui ai adressée en octobre 2005.
Laurent Desbois
Ex-franco-Ontarien,
fier Québécois depuis trente ans
et canadian… par la force des choses et temporairement …. sur papiers seulement!
————————————————————
L’honorable Madeleine Meilleur
Ministre de la Culture et ministre déléguée aux Affaires francophones
Objet : L’Édition 2005 des Profils statistiques sur les francophones en Ontario du 27 septembre 2005
http://www.ofa.gov.on.ca/francais/stats.html
Les jeunes francophones représentent environ 3,6 % de l’ensemble des jeunes ontariens. Les francophones de 65 ans et plus en Ontario représentent 5,6 % de la population provinciale. Ceci représente une réduction de 36% de la population totale entre ces deux groupes d’âge.
La population francophone de l’Ontario a connu une augmentation de 1,2 % entre 1996 et 2001. Vous commentez : « C’est un pas dans la bonne direction! ». Comment pouvez-vous conclure ainsi, lorsque durant cette même période, la population totale de l’Ontario a augmenté de 6,1%, soit cinq fois plus rapidement?
Le taux de conversation du français à la maison continue de diminuer, soit de 58,7% à 56,5% entre 1996 et 2001. Je vous souligne qu’il était de 61% en 1991. (en 2006, c’est le cas chez seulement 55 % de la population francophone).
Madame la ministre, vous concluez votre discours comme suit : « Soyez assurés, je suis très optimiste. J’ai la ferme conviction, plus que jamais, que l’avenir appartient aux francophones de l’Ontario. ».
Pouvez-vous m’indiquer quels résultats dans ce rapport vous portent à conclure ainsi?
Merci de votre attention,
Laurent Desbois
1 octobre 2005