Letter to Star Choice Communications inc. about the unavailability of TFO in their programmaming

2 September 2008

This letter was sent to Star Choice Communications inc. by the French Language Services Commissioner about the unavailability of TFO in their programming.

Toronto, September 2, 2008

Ms Cynthia Rathwell
Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs and Programming
Star Choice Communications Inc.
440 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 200
Ottawa Ontario K1R 7X6

Dear Ms Rathwell :

It is with deep concern that I learned that the French-Ontarian network TFO will no longer be available in your programming for Francophone’s communities all across the country.

TFO is a leader with its French educative programming and plays a central key role as a Francophone media in its communities. Since it was created over twenty years ago, it has grown, developed and evolved with Francophone’s communities in Ontario and notably in the province of Quebec and in the Maritimes. TFO embodies a strong, creative, dynamic, and multicultural television, which really reflects the French speaking population in Canada.
It is crucial to support such an important initiative for the continuous development and growth of our communities coast to coast. From this initiative, one can learn, educate, and reach out.

By its rich and educative programming, TFO also reaches French speaking youths, as well as those who want to learn French as a second language whatever their age, and provides them a cultural background to reinforce and empower their identity. In addition, it establishes bridges between provinces and strongly contributes to the blooming of all Francophone’s communities in Canada. It is such important in the linguistic duality context of our country. That is why, as a Franco-Ontarian, I am deeply concerned and sadden by the withdrawal of your programming of the only French public television in Ontario.

For the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario, TFO will always be a perfect example of a good and superior quality service for Francophones. I have no doubt that you will reconsider your decision and continue to offer TFO to your diversified clienteles.

Sincerely,

François Boileau
French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario

c.c. Mrs Claudette Paquin, Executive Director, TFO
Mr. Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada