Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter
On Saturday, January 18, ambassadors from the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) and people from the region received the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
The ceremony took place in the grand hall of the Alexandre-Taché building at UQO, in the presence of Her Honour Manon Jeannotte, Lieutenant Governor of Quebec. In total, more than 61 people from the Outaouais region, including 11 with close ties to UQO, were honoured, including UQO Rector Murielle Laberge. Laberge said she was honoured to receive the Medal and congratulated the other recipients.
Annie Castonguay, Coordinator at Réhabex, was also honoured to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her work with the community and with people experiencing homelessness. “I don’t have the words to explain this,” said Patrick Pilon, Executive Director of Réhabex. “She’s someone who is there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” he added. “[…] Honestly, she’s a gem […] she inspires a lot and it’s inspiring for the people who serve the community every day. It leads us to do great things, sometimes with very little.”
The Coronation Medal is a special commemorative distinction to honour Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their country through an exceptional achievement, whether at the provincial, territorial, regional or community level, or abroad. It was created to mark the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, 2023.
More than 30,000 medals have been awarded across Canada, including 1,559 in Quebec. Of the 30,000 Medals, 4,000 were reserved for members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
This is the first Canadian commemorative medal since the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General is responsible for managing this program.
Photo: Her Honour Manon Jeannotte, Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, accompanied by Murielle Laberge, Rector of UQO, during the presentation of the Coronation Medals of King Charles III (January 18, 2025). (MG) Photo: Facebook page Université du Québec en Outaouais