The AMBM Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Justin Johnson as Executive Director, effective August 15, 2018.
A proud Red River Métis, Justin is the great-great-great-great-grandson of André Beauchemin, Métis leader of Saint-Vital and a member of Louis Riel’s provisional government from 1869 to 1870. With a remarkable professional and volunteer career path within Manitoba’s and Canada’s Francophone community, Justin was most recently appointed Executive Director of the Directorat de l’activité sportive du Manitoba (DAS). Mr. Johnson was recently elected Vice-President of the FCFA in June 2018. He was also Chair of the Board of Directors of the Conseil jeunesse provincial du Manitoba (CJP) from 2013 to 2016, then Vice President (2014-2015) and President (2016-2018) of the Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française (FJCF).
“It is a pleasure to welcome Justin to the leadership of the AMBM. His leadership skills, credibility and experience will help propel the development and influence of the AMBM and its members even further. One of Mr. Johnson’s main mandates will be to ensure a synergy of vision and action between the AMBM and its two corporations: CDEM and Eco-Ouest Canada,” commented Marc Marion, Chairman of the Association’s Board of Directors.
Justin Johnson succeeds Louis Tétrault who has been at the helm of the AMBM since 2010. A true monument of Manitoba’s Francophone community, Mr. Tétrault has devoted his career to actively promoting the community’s development. He was the founding chair of the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM) and chaired of the steering committee on the Estates General of the Manitoba’s Francophone community. He also serves as a member of the province’s Conseil consultatif des affaires francophones.
Marc Marion adds: “On behalf of the AMBM Board of Directors, I sincerely thank Louis Tétrault who has led many impact projects over the past eight years. A true builder, he has already positioned the AMBM among the key players of the new Francophone and Francophile Cities Network of America. He also orchestrated the creation of the newcomer to the AMBM family, Eco-Ouest Canada, of which he is the founding president. It is our entire Francophonie that owes Louis a debt of gratitude for all his work, beyond the AMBM.”
“I leave the AMBM with a happy and very proud heart for the level of solidity and notoriety we have achieved in recent years. Justin is very dynamic and visionary. He will be able to breathe a whole new energy into the AMBM and seize the great opportunities of the moment. I am thinking in particular of Bill 5 on French language services and the Action Plan for Official Languages. I couldn’t have dreamt of a better successor. I wish him all the best.”, says Louis Tétrault, who will begin an active retirement in the short term as a consultant and mentor in French-speaking countries.
Mr. Johnson’s appointment coincides with the municipal elections to be held next October and the implementation of the organization’s new strategic planning process. The enthusiasm of the new director is undeniable. “The AMBM is rallying, capable, strong in conviction, and aware of the challenges to be met. It leads and supports significant and sustainable growth across the province and the country, and I see great potential to shape the future. I want to be part of it.”
For nearly 25 years, the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM) has been acting as a catalyst for the development, prosperity and sustainability of Manitoba’s bilingual communities. As a political and strategic leader, the AMBM brings together, supports and represents a strong and unified municipal governance. The AMBM is also the founding organization of two major economic development catalysts recognized across Canada, namely, the Economic Development Council of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM) and Eco-Ouest Canada (EWC).
For more information: Marc Marion, AMBM President, 204-289-4077, [email protected].
