Stéphane Dion inducted into France’s National Order of the Legion of Honour

(Horizon Weekly / OTTAWA) – On February 2, 2026, the Honourable Stéphane Dion was awarded the insignia of Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (Commandeur de la Légion d’honneur) at a ceremony at the French Embassy in Ottawa. This prestigious award, one of France’s highest distinctions, recognizes his exceptional service as Canada’s Ambassador to France and Monaco (2022–2025) and his tireless work in deepening the historic bond between the two nations.

The honour marks a crowning moment in a diplomatic career that extended far beyond the borders of Western Europe. Before his tenure in Paris, Dion served as Canada’s Ambassador to Germany and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the European Union, following a storied political career as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Environment, and Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Since June 2021, Dion also served as Canada’s Special Envoy to Support Armenian Democracy. Entrusted by the Prime Minister to explore ways to bolster Armenia’s democratic path, Dion undertook a comprehensive mission involving extensive consultations with civil society, government officials, and international partners.

At the conclusion of his mission in 2022, Dion produced a landmark report titled “Supporting Armenian Democracy”, which provided the Canadian government with a strategic roadmap for its relationship with the country. A key recommendation in the report was the establishment of a permanent Canadian Embassy in Yerevan. This move—a long-standing policy priority for the Armenian-Canadian community—was formally implemented by the federal government in 2023.

The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) has frequently praised the report as a testament to the strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. Throughout his time as a Cabinet Minister, Leader of the Official Opposition, and senior diplomat, Stéphane Dion has remained a steadfast friend of the Armenian-Canadian community, advocating for human rights and the success of democratic institutions.

His induction into the Legion of Honour celebrates a career defined by what he calls “responsible conviction”—a commitment to principled diplomacy that has left a lasting impact on Canada’s relations with both its oldest allies and its emerging democratic partners.