An artistic start with the unveiling of two murals
The day began at Morisset Library with the unveiling of two new murals by Franco-Ontarian graffiti artist Mique Michelle. The works, titled French Kiss and Faire fleurir la francophonie, celebrate the diversity and history of the Francophonie. University Librarian and Dean of Libraries Talia Chung stated: “These murals allow us to reaffirm our commitment to the Francophonie and official bilingualism.” Associate Vice-President, Francophonie Yves Pelletier highlighted the power of art to tell the story of the Franco-Ontarian community.
Raising the flag, a strong symbol of Franco-Ontarian identity
At 11 a.m., the Franco-Ontarian flag was raised at University Square. President Jacques Frémont stated that the day was not only an opportunity to highlight the cultural and social contributions of Franco-Ontarians, but also a reminder of the importance of French-language education in the province.
Yves Pelletier stressed its importance for “over 15,000 students enrolled in programs taught entirely in French.” Michel Bock, director of the Centre de recherche sur les francophonies canadiennes, spoke movingly of the flag’s significance as a “universal rallying symbol” uniting the community in its aspirations. The large turnout of students, faculty, staff and members of the public testified to their unwavering commitment to this symbol of resilience.
A friendly, festive lunch
Noon saw the community come together for a festive meal served by food trucks. Those in attendance were also treated to cupcakes in the colours of the Franco-Ontarian flag. They shared a moment of togetherness while celebrating the achievements of Ontario’s Francophonie.
Inauguration of the INNOVA Space, a bridge to the future
The highlight of the celebrations was the inauguration of the INNOVA Space, the first space in Canada entirely dedicated to education in French in minority language settings. Created with the support of Canadian Heritage and the University of Ottawa, this new space provides the community with meeting rooms and work areas, labs that are fully equipped for hybrid collaboration, and spaces that feature advanced technologies, including 3D, augmented reality, virtual reality and 360-degree projection.
President Frémont described the space as a key hub for connecting Canada’s French-speaking minority communities, thanks to its cutting-edge technologies. He also announced that Professor Megan Cotnam-Kappel, holder of the Research Chair on Digital Thriving in Franco-Ontarian Communities, and Professor Jérémie Séror, holder of the Research Chair in Technology-Mediated Language Learning and Artificial Intelligence, will be setting up their teams in the INNOVA Space.
Towards the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag
To cap off the event, those present turned their gaze to 2025 and the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag. As Mr. Bock reminded everyone, this flag is a “symbol of the cultural and political affirmation” that continues to represent the hopes and challenges of Ontario’s Francophonie.
Between history and innovation, Franco-Ontarian Day was an opportunity to pay tribute to a community with a strong past and a bright future.