News - Office of Francophone Affairs

1. Minister of Francophone Affairs Expresses Condolences On The Passing Of Jean-Robert Gauthier

   Ontario Minister of Francophone Affairs Madeleine Meilleur released the following statement regarding the death of former Senator and Member of Parliament Jean-Robert Gauthier:

   "I was saddened to hear of the passing of Jean-Robert Gauthier. As Minister of Francophone Affairs, and on behalf of Ontario's Francophone community, I want to express my deep gratitude for his hard work that has benefited and will continue to benefit all our community.

   During the great rally of SOS Montfort on March 22 1997, my good friend Gisèle Lalonde had those simple words about Jean-Robert Gauthier: 'Jean-Robert, you have always been and will always be our Franco-Ontarian hero.' This statement is a perfect representation of the reality. As such, he is not only my friend, but the friend of all Francophones in Ontario.

   By his overall actions and great commitment to our community, Jean-Robert will forever occupy a special place in the heart of each Franco-Ontarian.

   We shall miss Jean-Robert dearly and our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones."

   December 11, 2009 5:03 PM | Office of Francophone Affairs
2. Report Focuses On Diversity In Ontario's Francophone Community

   The diversity of Ontario's Francophone community is highlighted in a new statistical report by the Ontario government and Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

   The report covers economic, social and demographic trends among Ontario's Francophones. It reveals that 22 per cent of all Francophone immigrants to Ontario arrived here between 2001 and 2006, and ten per cent of Ontario Francophones identify themselves as visible minorities

   Ontario is home to close to 600,000 Francophones, the largest population in Canada outside Quebec. About 14 per cent of Ontario Francophones were born outside of Canada. Three out of five Francophones were born in Ontario and one in five was born in Quebec.

   December 9, 2009 1:50 PM | Office of Francophone Affairs
3. Ontario Receives Annual Report On French Language Services

   A report that will help the government build on its commitment to improving French-language services was received today from Ontario's French Language Services Commissioner.

   October 21, 2009 2:00 PM | Office of Francophone Affairs
4. Ontario Launches Youth Francophonie Award

   The Ontario Francophonie Youth Award will recognize exceptional Francophones and Francophiles under the age of 25 who are actively involved in the development of their communities.

   This award will be presented every two years along with awards given to a Francophile and a Francophone who have made a significant impact on the social, economic, political and cultural vitality and well-being of Ontario's Francophone community.
   

   The nomination period for the 2010 awards is now open. Submissions will be accepted until January 18, 2010.
   

   
   

   September 25, 2009 9:25 AM | Office of Francophone Affairs
5. Young Francophones To Learn More About Municipal Politics

   Francophone students at four high schools will have the opportunity to get more involved in municipal politics and provide input on local issues this year.

   Part of the province's Accent on Youth strategy, this new youth initiative, developed by the Office of Francophone Affairs through a partnership with the Association française des municipalités de l'Ontario (AFMO), is being piloted at schools in communities with large Francophone populations. It will help students develop awareness about the issues encountered by municipalities and the way city councillors resolve them.

   Students will participate in activities such as:

   • Mentorship and job shadowing with city councillors and city employees
   • Workshops and mock debates on real municipal issues.
   September 17, 2009 11:23 AM | Office of Francophone Affairs
6. United Nations Recognizes Ontario's Public Service

   Ontario was recognized by the United Nations today for the province's commitment to providing quality French-language services.
   

   United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon presented a Certificate of Recognition to Ontario Secretary of Cabinet Shelly Jamieson at an awards ceremony held today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The awards ceremony coincides with the United Nations Public Service Day.   
   
   June 23, 2009 11:10 AM | Office of Francophone Affairs
7. Franco-Ontarian Licence Plate Launched

   Ontario residents may now proudly display the official Franco-Ontarian emblem on their French-language licence plates.

   The new graphic licence plate is available at Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Offices and ServiceOntario locations across the province.  A standard fee of $77.75 will apply for those who wish to purchase the new custom plate.    

   Licence plates with the Franco-Ontarian flag have been around since June 2003, but only with the English slogan, 'Yours to discover'.  In May 2008, the French slogan 'Tant à découvrir' was introduced on standard plates.  Today's announcement makes it possible to combine both the illustration of the flag and the French slogan. 

   June 11, 2009 6:00 PM | Office of Francophone Affairs
8. Francophone Population Re-Defined

   Ontario is introducing a new definition of the province's Francophone population that will better reflect the evolution and diversity of Ontario's Francophone communities.

   For statistics gathering purposes, Francophones were previously defined as only those whose mother tongue is French. This new inclusive definition captures those whose mother tongue is neither French nor English, but who have a particular knowledge of French as an Official Language and use French at home, including many recent immigrants to Ontario.

   Under the previous definition, roughly 50,000 Ontarians who speak French in their everyday life were not considered Francophones. The Ontario Trillium Foundation has already adopted the new definition for use in its statistics.

   June 4, 2009 12:45 PM | Office of Francophone Affairs
9. Report On French Language Health Services Released

   Ontario's French Language Services Commissioner, François Boileau, released his Special Report on French Language Health Services Planning in Ontario today.

   
   

   May 7, 2009 3:00 PM | Office of Francophone Affairs
10. French Language Services Commissioner's Appointment Renewed

    Ontario is extending the appointment of French Language Services Commissioner, François Boileau, for another three years, starting September 2009. His current two-year appointment ends in August 2009.

    May 5, 2009 4:13 PM | Office of Francophone Affairs
11. Kingston becomes the 25th designated area

    Ontario is expanding the French-language services available to the Francophone community in the City of Kingston.

    As of May 1, 2009, all Ontario government offices located in Kingston will offer French-language services in accordance with the French Language Services Act. 

    May 1, 2009 3:11 PM | Office of Francophone Affairs
12. Ontario Encourages Entrepreuneurship Among Young Francophones

    Ontario is partnering with Collège Boréal to support its young business network called "Regroupement des jeunes gens d'affaires", and to stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit in Ontario's young Francophones.

    The government will facilitate the planning of conferences along with recruiting and networking activities. A website will be created and a directory of existing resources will be made available to young entrepreneurs.

    As part of its provincial Accent on Youth Strategy, this project helps address the Strategy's objective of promoting the use of French in business through partnerships and initiatives that meet the needs of young people.

    April 14, 2009 4:38 PM | Office of Francophone Affairs
13. Ontario Encourages Access to Francophone Media
    Ontario stressed the importance of Francophone media at recent hearings held by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
    January 19, 2009 3:49 PM | Office of Francophone Affairs
14. 
    Ontario Mobilizes Francophone Youth
    Ontario's rich Francophone heritage will be bolstered with the launch of the "Accent on Youth" strategy.
    December 18, 2008 10:25 AM | Office of Francophone Affairs
15. French Language Services Report Released
    Ontario's new French Language Services Commissioner, François Boileau, released his first annual report today.
    
    June 17, 2008 9:20 AM | Office of Francophone Affairs