Rethinking Francophone Higher Education

For this enriching discussion, we were pleased to welcome a panel of high-level experts:

• Marie-Ève ​​Sylvestre: Rector, University of Ottawa.
• Lynn Casimiro: President and CEO of La Cité College
• Normand Labrie: University of French Ontario (UOF).
• Paulette Bonin: Vice-President of Education – Collège Boréal

A lively discussion led by a recognized leader.

The panel was moderated by Mr. Marco Fiola , Principal of Glendon College (York University), who guided discussions around key themes in higher education.

Director, Glendon College – York University. President of the Canadian Association for Translation Studies and author of numerous articles on language barriers, translator and interpreter training, and interpreter certification. Certified Translator and Terminologist (ATIO); member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, York. Published by the University of Ottawa Press, the third edition of *La traduction raisonnée* (2013), a comprehensive English-French translation handbook, which he co-authored. Translated into French as *La traduzione specializzata*, by Federica Scarpa (2010).

Normand Labrie has been the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the Université de l'Ontario français (UOF) since May 2024. Mr. Labrie also serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and is a distinguished professor at the University of Toronto. An expert in bilingualism and language policy, with a PhD in linguistics from Université Laval, he has published over 150 scholarly works. Mr. Labrie directed the Centre de recherches en éducation franco-ontarienne and taught at prestigious universities worldwide. His leadership and commitment have been recognized with numerous awards. As an experienced administrator, he has served on various boards and organizations, distinguished by his ethics and commitment to inclusion. Most recently, as Interim Dean of the University of Toronto's School of Education (OISE), he has extensive experience in managing university programs, including governance, quality assurance, and graduate program accreditation. His role in the creation of UOF and his leadership style focused on listening and seeking consensus will be essential to the strategic growth of the University.

Marie-Ève ​​Sylvestre has been the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ottawa since July 1, 2025. Prior to assuming this role, she was Dean of the Faculty of Law, Civil Law Section, where she contributed to the development of innovative learning experiences. Under her leadership, the first certificate in Indigenous law in French in North America was created, as well as the audiovisual platform Jurivision.ca. She also strengthened ties with communities, notably by founding the Outaouais Interdisciplinary Social Law Clinic and establishing a dual-degree program with Lyon 3 University.

A renowned researcher, Professor Sylvestre focuses her work on criminal law and discriminatory practices affecting marginalized populations. Her book, "Red Zones," won the W.-Wesley-Pue Prize in 2021. She also served as an expert for the Commission of Inquiry into Relations between Indigenous Peoples and Public Services in Quebec and testified in the case of Luamba v. Attorney General of Quebec, concerning racial profiling.

Marie-Ève ​​Sylvestre is a member of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists (Royal Society of Canada), the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute, and the Board of Trustees of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Montreal, and a Master's degree and a PhD from Harvard University. In 2022, she was awarded the distinction of Lawyer Emeritus by the Quebec Bar.

Dr. Lynn Casimiro is the President and CEO of Collège La Cité. She previously served as Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Student Success at the college and was an associate professor at the Université de l'Ontario français. She chairs the board of directors of the Réseau des cégeps et collèges francophones du Canada (Network of Francophone CEGEPs and Colleges of Canada) and sits on the boards of the Consortium national pour le développement de ressources pédagogiques en français (National Consortium for the Development of Educational Resources in French) and the Scientific Committee of the Institut du Savoir Montfort.
Early in her career, she was Director of Education and Founding Chair of the Research Ethics Committee at Montfort Hospital, where she conducted research on the active offer of services in French and the interprofessional approach to healthcare. She also served as Director of the Academic Health Council and Development Advisor at the CNFS–University of Ottawa. Passionate about adult education, Dr. Casimiro holds degrees in physiotherapy, physical activity, education (PhD), and public administration.

Rotary cocktail-conference