Alphonse Breau, M.S.M., Kirkland, Que.
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)
Between 1995 and 1997, Alphonse Breau was appointed the first director of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Leading a group of some 100 individuals representing 25 countries, he played a key role in the first international initiative designed to bring to justice those most responsible for the 1994 genocide. With dedication and expertise, he assumed the responsibility for all enquiries related to the Tribunal’s mandate, including the enormous task of gathering all the necessary evidence. His professionalism and leadership abilities throughout this period brought great credit to himself and to Canada.