Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: November 17, 2005
• Invested on: December 15, 2006

As a writer, teacher, administrator, and editorialist, Jean-Paul Desbiens had a profound impact on Quebec's social reforms. In 1960, he published Les insolences du Frère Untel, which became the first bestseller of contemporary Quebec publishing. It raised awareness and sparked controversial debates, and called, in particular, for massive reforms to the education system. A man of action, he was also involved in the establishment of CEGEPs and in the reform of secondary education programs when he worked as a director in Quebec's Ministry of Education. Renowned for his knowledge and insight, he was chief editorial writer for La Presse and a member of the board of directors of the CBC's information channels.