Far from being a monolithic group, we form a community that is diverse and complex in historical, socio-economic and cultural terms. Our young people dream of taking their rightful place in society and in all fields of knowledge: from accounting to engineering, from communications to social work, from education to pharmacy, and from common law to nutrition and biochemistry.
Many of their goals are rooted in the experience and programs on offer at the University of Ottawa, Ontario’s largest French-language university. In fact, over 80% of Ontario students enrolled in French-language university programs study at our institution. The University of Ottawa has a long tradition of being multifaceted, which today allows thousands of people to study, work, teach, conduct research, express themselves and flourish in French.
Welcoming a diversity of Francophones to campus
There have never been so many Francophones on campus! Our openness and range of programs enables us to welcome and integrate Francophones from across Canada and around the world. Far beyond our diverse backgrounds, it is language that brings French-speaking Ontario together.
The University of Ottawa is a key venue for the Franco-Ontarian community and Francophones from minority language settings. Increasingly, we are working with other institutions and communities so they can benefit locally from our programs. As communities in minority language settings, we can only thrive through solidarity and by reinforcing our dynamic strengths.
Celebrating Franco-Ontarian Day
On September 25, the University of Ottawa will celebrate Franco-Ontarian Day to highlight the cultural richness and contributions our community brings to society. I encourage you to participate in the Day’s signature events, namely: the unveiling of the Franco-Ontarian murals at Morisset Library; the raising of the Franco-Ontarian flag at University Square in the company of the president as well as Professor Michel Bock (head of the Centre de recherche sur les francophonies canadiennes) and Daphnée Veilleux-Michaud (Francophone Affairs Commissioner at the University of Ottawa Students’ Union); and the inauguration of our new INNOVA Centre (the largest space funded by Canadian Heritage), which aims to explore, develop, test and evaluate innovative practices, approaches and technologies in French-language education to meet the diverse needs of Francophone communities in minority language settings.
Let’s celebrate together the 49th anniversary of the first raising of the Franco-Ontarian flag at the University of Sudbury and the 14th anniversary of the 2010 Act proclaiming September 25 as Franco-Ontarian Day.
Happy Franco-Ontarian Day!
We are. We will be.