14 years of recognizing Francophone contributions to Canadian culture in Ontario
Students and teachers from the Marguerite-Bourgeois Catholic Elementary School were escorted by Military Police across Base Borden for a flag raising at the MPGTG HQ building on 25 September to celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day.
Upon the raising of the Franco-Ontarian flag, students and teachers sang the songs “Notre place” and “Mon beau drapeau” to celebrate the presence of French-Canadian culture within the province.
“To no longer have our tongue in our pockets. I’m going to sing, I’m going to sing,” read the lyrics of ‘Notre place’.
Franco-Ontarian Day, also known as Journée des Franco-Ontariens, marks the rich and vibrant Franco-Ontarian heritage, culture and contributions to the province’s multicultural tapestry.
This day has its roots in the Franco-Ontarian community’s fight for linguistic and cultural rights during the late 20th century as it is inextricably linked to the passage of the French Language Services Act (Loi sur les services en français) in 1986, which recognized the rights of Francophones in Ontario to access government services in their language.
In 2010, the Franco-Ontarian Day Act was unanimously adopted by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and has since been celebrated over the past 14 years.
September 25th was chosen as Franco-Ontarian Day because it coincides with the anniversary of the official Franco-Ontarian flag’s unveiling in 1975. Co-creator of the flag, Gaétan Gervais once spoke about the honour it was to be a part of such a significant moment in Canadian history.
“Like me, all Franco-Ontarians are filled with exceptional pride to have this day which pays tribute to us all,” said Gervais. “I am moved and touched that the date of this symbolic day specifically references the creation of the Franco-Ontarian flag on September 25, 1975.”
The Franco-Ontarian flag, commonly referred to as the “Trillium”, is a symbol of pride and identity for the Franco-Ontarian community. It features a white trillium, Ontario’s official flower, on a green and white background. The flag’s creation was a significant milestone in asserting the Franco-Ontarian identity and it is proudly displayed at various events and institutions throughout the province, like CFB Borden.
This day of cultural heritage represents a steadfast commitment to preserving and promoting the French language and Francophone heritage within Ontario. The day serves as a reminder of the struggles and achievements of the Franco-Ontarian community in their pursuit of linguistic and cultural rights. It’s an occasion to reflect on the progress made and to advocate for continued support for the French language and Francophone culture.
By: Caleb Hooper
