La physique m'a toujours passionné, mais je n'avais jamais cru qu'elle me ferait rencontrer autant d'étudiants, de postdocs et de collègues talentueux sans qui les bonnes idées n'auraient jamais pu voir le jour. Leur compagnie m'est précieuse et c'est en leur nom que j'accepte cette récompense. 


Physics always fascinated me, but I never believed that it would allow me to meet so many talented students, postdocs and colleagues without whom, in the final analysis, good ideas would have never seen the light of day. Their presence is precious for me and it is in their name that I accept this prize. 

I am particularly grateful to my colleague David Sénéchal, with who I have co-authored countless papers. I also thank the founders of the Physics department, the late Laurent Caron, Serge Jandl and Alain Caillé who instilled a spirit of friendship and cooperation that still survives today. Thanks to Louis Tailefer who nominated me for this prize. 

I have been blessed by several prizes from the CAP. I thank the CAP for its prize program. Given my great personnel insecurity, these have been very important to help me persevere. But I know many other candidates even more deserving than that I have not had my chance. They have all my esteem. 

I am also indebted to the CRC program, the CFI, Université de Sherbrooke, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, and the numerous funding agencies. I benefited from many far-sighted programs of NSERC, such as the "chercheur boursier" program. One of the great strengths of NSERC in the past I thought, was that I had the feeling it was judging me and my fellow Canadian physicists fairly. Unfortunately, when I look at the results of recent competitions and the funds that esteemed colleagues have received, I feel this is no-longer the case.

Finalement, j'aimerais remercier mon épouse Guylaine Séguin, que je connais depuis l'âge de 15 ans. Elle m'a poussé à aller étudier aux États-Unis et qui m'a appuyé pendant toutes ces années. Elle et mes deux filles se sont souvent trouvées délaissées pour la physique. Mes regrets ne leur redonneront pas le temps perdu, mais j'espère qu'en partageant ce prix avec elles, mes filles et ma femme se sentiront un peu récompensées elles aussi. 

For all the spouses who have supported us physicists, please join me in thanking my wife with a round of applause. 

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Pour l'ICRA, 16 décembre 2014

“I see this nomination as recognition for the long term efforts my students, colleagues and I have invested in devising new mathematical methods that are needed and useful to understand quantum materials.  The long term commitment of CIFAR to this field has been instrumental in providing motivation, contacts, ideas and a spirit of collaboration that have, in the final analysis, made this possible. It is a privilege to be a member of this community.”