Community radio contributes to the vitality and continued growth of the Franco-Ontarian community
COMMUNITY RADIO CONTRIBUTES TO THE VITALITY AND CONTINUED
GROWTH OF THE FRANCO-ONTARIAN COMMUNITY
TORONTO, April 21, 2011 – The French Language Services Commissioner has released a study today on the French-language community radio sector in the province. This document, entitled A Study of Ontario’s French-Language Community Radio Stations: Key Components of the Vitality of Francophone Communities, describes various issues, including the lack of government support for this sector since 1995.
In addition to suggesting solutions, the study includes a recommendation by Commissioner François Boileau asking the Government of Ontario to examine the current status of this situation in order to respond to the specific needs of Francophones with respect to community radio.
QUOTE
“Ontario’s French-language community radio stations not only promote the Francophone population’s cultural heritage but are rightfully part of it,” said French Language Services Commissioner François Boileau.
QUICK FACTS
- This study was conducted following a call by the Mouvement des intervenants et des intervenantes en communication radio de l’Ontario (MICRO) lamenting the lack of support by the provincial government for its members.
- Ontario has six French-language community radio stations, which broadcast from Hearst, Kapuskasing, Penetanguishene, Toronto, Cornwall and Ottawa.
- The Commissioner believes that Ontario’s French-language community radio stations play an important role in citizen engagement and is convinced that theses stations contribute to fight against the assimilation of Francophones.
- In 1995, the only provincial program that provided assistance for the province’s community radio stations was abolished. It has never been replaced.
LEARN MORE
This study can be accessed online at: www.flsc.gov.on.ca
Gyula Kovacs, Public Relations and Communications Officer
Office of the French Language Services Commissioner
Phone: (416) 314-8247 or 1-866-246-5262 (toll free)
Email: communications.flscCSF@ontario.ca