Five years ago, thousands of Franco-Ontarians gathered to denounce Doug Ford’s cuts to French-language services. If relations with the government have since become “normalized”, the organizers remember an unprecedented movement, which “brought together” the community and taught it to be “always on the lookout”.
The mobilization “was stronger than ever in Ontario”, tells the Duty Alain Vachon, who coordinated the movement at the provincial level. “It was the biggest demonstration in our history. »
On November 15, 2018, by unveiling its economic statement, the government of Doug Ford announced in a “very abrupt” manner that it was putting an end to the project to create the University of French Ontario, and that it was abolishing the Office of the Commissioner of services in French. This day, described as “Black Thursday,” was a “shock” for Franco-Ontarians, says the director general of the Assembly of the Francophonie of Ontario (AFO), Peter Hominuk.
“It was a hard blow. We counted a lot on our commissioner, and we counted a lot on the arrival of this new university, which had been a dream of Franco-Ontarians for several years. »
A resistance movement was organized, and some 14,000 people demonstrated on 1er December across the province. “The magic of this monster event is that it could be done at home. At home in Hearst, at home in Toronto, at home in Hawkesbury, and at home in Ottawa. All of Ontario was mobilized,” explains Mr. Vachon.
For the community mobilization advisor, the biggest challenge “was to meet the demand”, to send megaphones, banners and flags quickly enough to the regions. “People took charge of the local protests,” says Mr. Hominuk. “The objective was simple: we weren’t going to be fooled again,” adds Mr. Vachon.
Support for Franco-Ontarians was expressed in “almost all the provinces,” recalls Mr. Hominuk. The green and white flag was notably hoisted over the National Assembly of Quebec. “When we live in French-speaking communities outside Quebec, knowing that we are not alone, knowing that we are part of a Canadian Francophonie, is very reassuring. »
Franco-Ontarians, and proud of it
What struck the director general of the AFO, in office since 2012, was that “everything happened without incident”. “It was a very positive affirmation to be Francophone, and I find that we emerge from this whole saga of Franco-Ontarian resistance stronger, more united. »
“I had the impression that it was the day when we stopped justifying ourselves as Franco-Ontarians, and we started to take responsibility,” adds Patrick Bourbonnais, who participated in the demonstrations to prevent the closure of the French-speaking hospital, Montfort, at the end of the 90s. Nearly 20 years later, the events manager was responsible for “setting up the gathering site” in Ottawa.
Several politicians, including Mélanie Joly, then Minister of La Francophonie and Official Languages, CAQ leader Mathieu Lacombe, and Ontario MP Amanda Simard, who slammed the door of the Conservative caucus in reaction to her government’s decision, took part in the demonstrations across the province.
“The politicians were in the crowd with the people,” recalls Mr. Bourbonnais, describing the atmosphere in the federal capital. “At that time, there was no longer a social class, we were all one. »
Many artists have also gotten involved, underlines the man who is today co-president of the distribution agency 49e parallel. “My phone rang every hour offering us free services. »
“It really shook me, then I said to myself that as an artist, I would like to do something for my community,” says Mélissa Ouimet, who “immediately said yes” to Patrick’s invitation Bourbonnais. She then surrounded herself with artists to reinterpret No one can stop mewritten in 2015, by modifying the bridge of his song (No one will be able to change / My voice, my identity / And when it shakes too hard / We gather outside / Now and for tomorrow / We get up).
“It looks like this song was written for the cause of Franco-Ontarians,” comments Mme Ouimet. “For me, it was important not to just take Franco-Ontarian artists, because I wanted us to feel that we are united across the country. »
The title, which has become an anthem of resistance, is still sung in schools by many children, she rejoices.
“Normalized” relationships
Five years later, the relationship with the Ontario government “is much more respectful,” says Mr. Hominuk, emphasizing that the Minister of Francophone Affairs, Caroline Mulroney, is “listening” to the AFO.
According to him, several “steps forward” have been taken, such as the “return of the Ministry of Francophone Affairs” and the modernization of Ontario’s French Language Services Act, which involves the establishment of the active offer, forcing certain institutions to welcome users in their language without them having to ask. The installation of a first French-speaking lieutenant-governor is also a “strong gesture,” adds Mr. Bourbonnais, even if he feels that Franco-Ontarians are “always on the lookout.”
“In an ideal world,” however, the AFO would like the French Language Services Commissioner – ultimately placed under the aegis of the ombudsman – to become “independent” again.
The University of Sudbury file, which the Ford government refused to fund last June, remains to be monitored, even if Mr. Hominuk “remains convinced” that there will be “a favorable conclusion.” “Franco-Ontarians, we never give up. Then when we are told no for a project, we come back with another,” he says.
This report is supported by the Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada.