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François Boileau
French Language Services Commissioner
On this day, August 2, I’ve decided to re-open my blog with an important announcement: A few days ago (on July 27), I became a dad.
Our daughter, Sabrina, is in fine health and is keeping us — my spouse and I — quite busy. So, if you happen to see me at a big box store stocking up on diapers, you’ll understand why!
The arrival of Sabrina, our first child, as many of you already know, represents a major upheaval of our spousal life, but it is also a change that we welcome with utmost joy.
So there it is. My important announcement: a gift of life!
I also wish to announce that I will be taking a parental leave over the next few weeks to support my spouse. But rest assured: the staff at the Commissioner’s Office will continue their fine work, regardless of my absence. And, even during my parental leave, I plan to continue participating in its activities, from a distance, while juggling my new parental tasks… and maybe even write an occasional post, from time to time.
Quite recently, a group of young Franco-Manitobans decided to express themselves on their identity and sense of belonging to the Francophone community. They did so in two separate videos of approximately 10 minutes each, where we see and hear these young people speak freely. And their messages are both powerful and refreshing! I urge you to view these videos (part 1 and part 2) and to discuss their contents among yourselves. It’s quite plain to see that young people have something to say… and we would benefit greatly by listening.
On that note, I would like to wish you a very happy Canada Day! And with all the partying we have planned for the summer, this blog will be shutting down, temporarily, as in previous years. See you sometime at the end of the summer.
On Saturday, I was honoured by the Association of French-Speaking Jurists of Ontario (AJEFO) with an Order of Merit award. To receive such a prestigious distinction from my peers is truly an honour that will remain with me for years to come. I am sincerely grateful to the board members of l’AJEFO for their consideration.
In my acceptance speech, I indicated that this award was received on behalf of my colleagues, past and present. I also added that if, from time to time, I was able to accomplish something worthwhile, it is indeed because I am surrounded by people who are dynamic, passionate and efficient. So, once again, thank you to my colleagues!
The other recipient of the Order of Merit is lawyer Sonia Ouellet who was a director general of l’AJEFO for over seven year. Sonia is truly and totally deserving of this award. As I mentioned in my speech, I have known the AJEFO before and after Sonia’s tenure… and I must say — without making comparisons —, that the organization that she left us with is one that is energized, vibrant, innovative and definitely focussed on the needs of the Franco-Ontarian community as a whole. Congratulations to Sonia!
Mission accomplished! Minister Madeleine Meilleur made the announcement on Friday evening at the annual conference of Association of French-Speaking Jurists of Ontario (AJEFO): The province has adopted a regulation mandating French-language services by third parities.
Indeed, this is excellent news and a direct response to one of my recommendations. Find out more by reading our news release.
I also urge you to listen my radio interview with Charles Levesque, morning show host for Radio-Canada in Windsor.
It has been 10 years on this very day, that the Franco-Ontarian Flag has been officially recognized by the province. This symbol is a source of pride for Francophones and Francophiles in Ontario who, each day, take on the courageous decision of living their daily lives in French. Our flag is also a reminder of the epic battles that our communities have fought, throughout our history, in order to allow the French language to take its rightful place in this province.
It would be quite a task (unfortunately) to attempt to list each of these epic battles, but one in particular is certainly worth mentioning: The fight of Franco-Ontarians from Penetanguishene to obtain their very first French-language high school which began back in 1979. Maybe it isn’t a coincidence that Radio-Canada, CBC’s French-language service, chose today, June 21, to air a documentary entitled L’école de la résistance de Penetanguishene that recounts the story of this epic battle tonight à 7:30 p.m. during the Tout le monde en parlaitprogram.
I invite you to tune in to this documentary tonight that will also be available on the Web, a few hours after the broadcast.
The Commissioner’s Office has been abuzz with activity over the past few weeks with the publication of a study and two reports, including our annual report, along with the closing of an important file for the Peel-Halton region. And there’s more to come before the start of summer vacations, much to the dismay of my incredibly devoted staff whose members are beginning to feel the strain. Indeed, on June 28, we will be publishing our report on the acquisition of new French-language schools, particularly in the Toronto area.
And I’ve also been traveling quite a bit during this same period. This includes my trip to Thunder Bay where I had the pleasure of paying tribute to an exceptional Franco-Ontarian: Mme Denyse Culligan. It’s not every day that one has the privilege of saying a heartfelt thank-you to a remarkable woman whose work has made a difference to the lives of her follow citizens. Bravo!
