Émile Martel, O.C.
Montréal, Quebec
Throughout his careers as both a diplomat and author, and especially in his volunteer work, Émile Martel has promoted and expanded our cultural treasures and awakened our social conscience. Thanks to his many publications and translations of English and Spanish, this award-winning poet has had a far-reaching impact in defence of freedom of expression and culture in Canada and abroad. He long served as president of the Centre québécois du P.E.N. international and the Académie des lettres du Québec.