Pierre DesRuisseaux

Canada’s Parliamentary Poet Laureate
  2009 - 2010

The appointment of Pierre DesRuisseaux as Canada’s next Parliamentary Poet Laureate was announced in April, 2009.  Mr. DesRuisseaux is the fourth poet to hold this office.  “As a distinguished Quebec poet, writer, editor and translator, Mr. DesRuisseaux’s exceptional work with language has influenced Canada’s cultural landscape,” said Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable Noël A. Kinsella. “His career-long fascination with Canada’s literary traditions and history make him an excellent choice to engage us, as Canadians, in dialogue about the importance of verse in our national culture.”

 

“With his extensive public and professional experience, Mr. DesRuisseaux has spent considerable time highlighting and celebrating the importance of the written word both within Canada and abroad,” said Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Peter Milliken.  “As an advocate for poetry, language and literature, I welcome his appointment to a role that seeks to bring a strong voice to poetry in Canada.”

 

Reflecting on his nomination, Pierre DesRuisseaux sees his role being enhanced by his exploration of the linguistic duality of Canada. “I feel that I am able to bring a different perspective to this position, particularly given my knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of Canada’s two cultural and linguistic groups, and my involvement in both translation and popular culture research.”