September 25th, 2020
September 25th, 2020
QUEEN’S PARK – NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and NDP Francophone Affairs critic Guy Bourgouin released the following statement on the occasion of Franco-Ontarian Day, celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag and over 400 years of Francophone history in Ontario with a message of solidarity in the continued struggle for Franco-Ontarian rights.
“This Franco-Ontarian Day is a special opportunity to celebrate together during these difficult times. We celebrate Franco-Ontarian culture and the French language that Franco-Ontarians have worked for generations to preserve in this province. New Democrats stand in solidarity in the struggle to have Franco-Ontarian constitutional rights recognized and respected in Ontario, a province that Franco-Ontarians have helped to build for over four centuries.
We are celebrating the 45th anniversary of our Franco-Ontarian flag, whose green and white colours represent the summer and winter seasons of the province, and the cultural, social and linguistic diversity of the Franco-Ontarian community in the 21st century.
This year, we are living through a pandemic, a health crisis. New Democrats are working together with Franco-Ontarians to ensure the delivery of critical public services, like health care, in the French language so that francophones are given the proper care they need.
From the struggles against Regulation 17 to the education conflict of Sturgeon Falls; from SOS Montfort to the rallies against the cancellation of the Franco-Ontarian University and the French Language Services Commissioner, the Franco-Ontarian community has always fought to maintain their institutions, language and culture.
Today, the struggle continues. New Democrats are working in solidarity with the Franco-Ontarian community to modernize the French Language Services Act, to restore the independent French Language Services Commissioner, and for French language services to be offered in education, health and justice throughout Ontario.
Today, we celebrate Ontario’s Franco-Ontarian heritage with a message of solidarity to all Franco-Ontarians across the province.
Nous sommes. Nous serons.”