Dyane Adam

Dyane Adam was appointed President of the Planning Board for a French-language university in September 2016 by ministerial decree. The Board’s final report to the Ontario government led to the passage of the Université de l’Ontario français Act in December 2017. Subsequently responsible for overseeing the act’s implementation, she has served as President of the Board of Governance Board since its creation until the summer of 2022. She previously held the position of Canada’s Official Languages Commissioner, from 1999 to 2006.

Dr. Adam holds a master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Ottawa. She spent the first few years of her career working in Quebec and Ontario, where she combined private practice in clinical psychology with university research and teaching. During the same period, she served as Assistant Vice-Rector for Teaching and French Services at Laurentian University in Sudbury before being named Principal of York University’s Glendon College in Toronto, in 1994. Through the years, Dyane Adam has consistently advocated for the recognition of French-language minority rights, the status of women, health and education. Her energy and dedication have inspired numerous initiatives and led her to take on a major role at national and international organizations, including the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education, the Regroupement des universités de la Francophonie hors Québec, the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie and the Association des Ombudsmans et médiateurs de la Francophonie. 

The author of several professional and scientific papers, Dyane Adam has taken part in numerous conferences across Canada and around the globe, appeared before courts and parliamentary committees, produced extensive research and given many speeches to educate authorities and the general public about linguistic duality issues and make upholding Canada’s two official languages a national priority. Her actions touch on many issues affecting Canadians’ daily lives, including education, health, immigration, language of work, community development, justice, culture, research and emerging technologies.

In recognition of her many achievements, Dyane Adam has been awarded honorary doctorates by McGill University, University of Ottawa, Université de Moncton, Saint Paul University, Laurentian University and Collège Boréal. She was also made a member of the Order of Canada, l'Order des francophones d'Amerique du Québec, Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Pléiade de l'Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie, and a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Palmes académiques in France. More recently, the Viamonde school board named an elementary school, École élémentaire Dyane-Adam, after her in Milton, Ontario.