TORONTO — From dodging assassination plots in 1970s Africa to shaping Manitoba’s French language policy and protecting Canada’s wild spaces, Roger Turenne has lived a life few Canadians can imagine. Now, the retired diplomat, policy advisor, and environmental activist is telling his story in a powerful new memoir, Bit Player on Big Stages: A Journey Through Diplomacy, Advocacy, and Cultural Survival, releasing this September through Sutherland House Books.
Turenne’s memoir is now available for pre-order and is being published simultaneously in English and French—a nod to his deep-rooted commitment to preserving Francophone identity in Western Canada. The French edition will be published by Les Éditions du Blé, following his previous book, Mon pays noir sur blanc.
“Honesty, authenticity and candor… these are hallmarks of Roger’s descriptions of his life,” writes Paul G. Thomas, Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba, in the book’s foreword.
From Saint-Pierre-Jolys to International Diplomacy
Born in Saint-Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba, Turenne rose from humble beginnings to represent Canada in diplomatic postings around the world, including Paris, Kinshasa, and Stockholm. His memoir recounts historic and harrowing moments, including a foiled assassination plot by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, in which Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau played a behind-the-scenes role.
Turenne also lifts the curtain on Canada’s internal politics, including his central role in Manitoba’s French language crisis. As Senior Adviser on French language services to two successive Manitoba premiers, he helped architect language policies that continue to shape the province’s identity.
A Voice for Conservation
Outside the political arena, Turenne’s impact on environmental protection is equally significant. As founding president of the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), he helped block logging in Nopiming Provincial Park and led the campaign to establish Little Limestone Lake Provincial Park, one of the most biologically unique lakes in the world.
“Roger Turenne served his community, his province and his country with insight and determination. A true public servant in the very best sense of that phrase.”
— Michael Decter, former Cabinet Secretary and Order of Canada recipient
Praise Across Academia and Policy Circles
Scholars and public servants alike are praising Bit Player on Big Stages as both a compelling memoir and a rare inside look at Canada’s modern political and diplomatic history:
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“Reads almost like a history of modern Canada.” — C. Brad Faught, Massey College
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“Turenne traversed different worlds, leaving his own indelible impact.” — Asa McKercher, St. Francis Xavier University
A Testament to Public Service and Cultural Resilience
Turenne’s memoir is infused with humour, introspection, and heartfelt tributes to the people and communities that shaped him. Whether confronting child soldiers in Africa, navigating anti-Francophone sentiment, or organizing grassroots conservation campaigns, his story speaks to the power of conviction, community, and cultural survival.
Bit Player on Big Stages is available for pre-order now via Amazon and other major booksellers, with official release slated for September 2025.
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