This site will be a venue of exchange, interaction and discussion. Thus, we encourage the sharing of different viewpoints and arguments, without however a private exchange solely between two individuals. Please be aware of the conditions of use before participating in this blog.
François Boileau
French Language Services Commissioner
While we haven’t heard back from the Government regarding this recommendation, we have received positive feedback from members of the Francophone community, along with an interesting suggestion from Hélène Caron who hosts a weekly French-language radio program on CFMU-FM 93.3 (McMaster University’s campus-community radio station, in Hamilton).
Hélène — whose show entitled French Toast can be heard Mondays from 2 to 3 p.m. — suggests that the option of using the airwaves of English community radio stations for French-language programming should be considered. The legitimacy of our language and communities requires, among other things, an on-air presence, she writes.
It’s an interesting idea, worth considering.
I clearly remember, in a past life long ago, having hosted a French-language radio show entitled “Rencontres” on CBC Radio in the Yukon. I have fond memories of those Sunday night broadcasts. Maybe this model could be applied to English community stations in areas that do not have access to French-language community radio.
There is no shortage of events to attend, these days, for members of the Francophone community!
Last night, I was in Sudbury for the biennial assembly of Ontario’s federation of Francophone seniors and retirees, the FAFO, where I had the honour of addressing over a hundred participants.
My speech, as you might have guessed, focussed on my latest annual report, and more specifically, on its first recommendation: a recommendation that has generated quite a bit of media interest. If you haven’t yet read this report, now is the time. I also urge you to read my message to the media delivered on May 31 as well as my letter to the editor published in Ottawa’s Le Droit newspaper on June 3.
Today I am in North Bay where, this morning, I had the opportunity to engage with Catholic high school students of the École catholique secondaire Algonquin. You know, each time I take part in these interactive visits with Francophone students from grades 11 and 12, I feel re-energized. These youngsters are not afraid to speak out and have inspiring ideas. Indeed, they fill me with hope and renewed confidence in the future of our province’s Francophone communities.
Finally, tonight, I will be attending the welcoming reception of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario’s annual meeting. On the menu: a public debate entitled “Au-delà des etiquettes” [beyond labels] featuring several high-profile participants including Benôit Pelletier, former Quebec minister for Intergovernmental and Francophone Affairs, Alain Buhon, Vice-president of the Unionprovinciale des minorités raciales et ethnoculturelles francophones and well-known lawyer Ronald Caza, who headed the Montfort Hospital court challenge. It promises to be a most interesting evening!
Over the weekend, residents of Hamilton/Niagara celebrated the inauguration of a new multiservice centre for the Francophone community. The Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara will offer various services including social and cultural activities, a drop-in centre for seniors, immigration settlement services, as well as health services (primary care, health promotion and mental health).
This is a perfect example of what I was referring to in the first recommendation of my latest annual report. Such a centre can serve as a blueprint for similar centres, adjusted of course, to the local needs of Francophone communities across the province.
Congratulations to the residents of Hamilton/Niagara for their vision! Such a centre goes beyond providing French-language government services; it also provides the Francophone community with vital institutions favouring its development.
In an editorial published this morning in the Le Droit newspaper, journalist Patrick Duquette states that the first recommendation of my fourth annual report is “headed in the wrong direction” and runs the risk of “misrepresenting [community] associations and steering them away from the primary mission.”
The eyebrow-raising recommendation reads as follows:
RECOMMENDATION 1
“The Commissioner recommends that the Franco-Ontarian community take an active part in renewing the delivery of government services by proposing innovative, pragmatic, results-oriented means and methods to ensure its development.”
Clearly my recommendation and the accompanying text has been misunderstood… That’s why I intend to respond to this editorial with a letter to the editor.
In the meantime, I invite you to read this editorial and provide me with your comments.
The Government of Ontario has just announced that they will participate in funding the establishment of a bilingual school of architecture that will be linked to Laurentian University.
This is great news for northern Ontario, for Sudbury, for Laurentian University and for Franco-Ontarians because students will be able to learn in both English and French.
The Ministry of Transportation is seeking Francophone drivers’ input for the development of a library of bilingual pictograms for its variable-message highway signs.
Three focus groups will be held: one in Orléans (May 16-19), another in Sudbury (May 24-27) and a final one in Toronto (June 6-9). To take part, you must be a Francophone driver who uses the province’s highway system at least once a week.
To sign up, or for more information, please contact Ms. Rabiya Lallani (416-596-1252, ext. 23). Eligible participants will receive a stipend.
