TFS - Canada's International School

A proud grandfather many times over, Mr. Mulroney maintains his passion for the country and its direction. With Mrs. Mila Mulroney, Mrs. Ursula Miedler, Grade 5 parents and family members seated in the newly named gym for the graduation ceremony, Mitch Frazer, TFS parent and past Chair of the TFS Board of Directors, introduced the Honourable Caroline Mulroney. The President of the Treasury Board of Ontario and Minister of Francophone Affairs said a few words about her father before inviting the 18th Prime Minister of Canada to the stage. Taking to the podium, Mr. Mulroney paid tribute to his late friend, Heribert Miedler, Vanessa's father, and praised his son's and daughter-in-law's commitment to education and bilingualism. His dedication to bilingualism came through clearly in his speech on Canada's bilingual history, the importance of learning both languages and a message of hope for the future, as he addressed members of our school community. It's no surprise that TFS has long fostered in its students the vital importance of civic responsibili. It was in the spirit of those values that the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney was welcomed to speak at the Junior School graduation this past June. Earlier the same day, TFS also celebrated the generosi and contributions of parents Mark and Vanessa Mulroney, with the renaming of the Senior School gym to Gymnase Miedler Mulroney. A BILINGUAL PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE "Canada is officially a bilingual nation. And it must be run and serve its citizens in both official languages," Mr. Mulroney said in French. "It's difficult for me to imagine how one could serve as Prime Minister of Canada, or Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or ambassador or any one of hundreds of key positions in the government of this great country without being bilingual," he continued in English. "The parents of today's students here are therefore being visionary. They are ensuring that their children shall be qualified to serve in such posts in any government, if that is their future inclination." The former Prime Minister also addressed the graduating class directly, including his own grandson. "As I look out at this impressive group of young students today, I see hope for our future. I see inspiration for our citizens from Monterey to Montreal, from Moncton to Madagascar. You will become our new generation of leaders, and I salute you and congratulate you on your great achievement this golden afternoon of an unforgettable day, in lives now filled with such promise and excitement." GYMNASE MIEDLER MULRONEY The Senior School gym is not only a centre for physical education and competitive sports, it's also the venue for events such as concerts, student- led performances and assemblies. Now, in honour of the Mulroney's many contributions to the school it has been renamed Gymnase Miedler Mulroney. "Mark and Vanessa, you are leaders in our school who are generous in all ways, including with your time and considerable talents. It is a true honour to etch your names, reflecting your two families and their respective histories, on a space that is significant to you and us," said Norman Gaudet, Head of School. "Your names, Miedler and Mulroney, are now indelibly tied to the school, names that generations of our students will come to know and learn about, and we couldn't be more gratified." Mark and Vanessa continue to play an integral role in the evolution of the school. Four of their children attend TFS, and the fifth just started, while another member of their household graduated only a few years ago. In 2018, Vanessa joined the TFS Foundation Board and today serves as its vice-chair. Recently, the couple co-chaired the Diamond Soirée, TFS' 60th Anniversary gala that raised over $1 million, with net proceeds of $790,000 being directed towards one of the most ambitious expansions in the history of TFS. In addition to their outstanding leadership, Mark and Vanessa are also among the school's most generous donors. "We're fully committed to the success and growth of this fantastic establishment, which is inextricably linked to the happiness and success of our children," said Mark. "Just like our children, we have watched TFS grow and mature. We are honoured that this building will be a living memory to Vanessa's parents and to mine, who gave us these last names and the values we try to live, and try to project and instil in our children." Those values include giving back for the betterment of the country and humankind, and upholding both French and English as the official languages of Canada. "My father is not with us today, but he would be extremely proud that his name stands alongside my father-in-law's," said Vanessa Mulroney in regards to her father, Heribert Miedler. "It is a very special day for our family and I'm very happy to know my father's name and my father-in-law's name will live here forever." Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney speaks to the TFS community about the importance of maintaining French and English bilingualism in Canada. Mark and Vanessa Mulroney and family. TFS 47

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