Debates on the possibility of permanently flying the Franco-Ontarian flag at Greenstone continue. Monday evening, the municipal council rejected community funding for two new masts proposed by the Association des francophones du nord-ouest de l’Ontario (AFNOO), wishing instead to commission a report “on options for recognition of Francophones and indigenous communities “.
Municipal councilor Vicky Budge, who tabled a notice of motion in March to re-debate changes to the flag arrangement policy, presented AFNOO’s proposal to her colleagues to finance the purchase of two new flagpoles. The organization would raise funds so that the municipality could purchase two masts “dedicated to communities, including Indigenous people.” […] In return, the Franco-Ontarian flag would fly permanently,” explained M.me Budge, saying he is in favor of this possible solution.
“If they’re going to help with the costs […]I will support this idea that they reinstall [le drapeau] “, declared Councilor Claudette Trottier, emphasizing that financial arguments had been part of the February 12 decision. His French-speaking colleague Alan Ouellet, for his part, recalled in a harsh tone the importance of the Franco-Ontarian flag, a symbol of “resilience in the face of linguistic assimilation”.
Elected official Chris Walterson said he would rather see the Franco-Ontarian flag “raised at the French club” in the city, emphasizing that the “First Nations have always been there” before the arrival of the Francophones. The man added that, recently, when he wanted to let an indigenous woman pass in front of him who was visibly in a hurry, his friend, also in the restaurant queue, allegedly said to this woman: “the white man is ‘on board “. “I’d really like to think he was joking, and I’d really like to think she took it as a joke.” […] When she […] sees a flag that was paid for by a group of people, I think she will see the white man there first. »
Motion too “directive”
The proposed motion of Mr.me Budge, who wanted municipal officials to prepare a “report on options for recognition of Francophones and Indigenous people” in collaboration with AFNOO, in order to “permanently reinstall the Franco-Ontarian flag” in exchange for the purchase of two masts was refused by the administrative director, Mark Wright. According to him, the overly “directive” text was “problematic” and “counterproductive”.
Suggestions for reformulation from councilors Matthew Donovan and Allan Ouellet, indicating that it would be necessary to work closely with “First Nations and local Francophone communities”, or even with the “Francophone community and other interested parties” were also refused.
” It’s embarassing. We are being watched very closely. The province is looking at us, a lot of groups are looking at us,” said Mme Budget. “I really have a hard time accepting that the removal of the Franco-Ontarian flag is part of reconciliation,” she added. “I am a member of the First Nations, I am French-speaking, and I am proud to be both. I don’t see how taking something away from one minority makes things fairer for another minority. »
The February decision was made on the logic that “if you want to fly the flag for one group, you have to be prepared to fly the flag for all groups,” Mr. Wright argued, emphasizing that it would then be necessary add more than 8 masts, each costing $15,000.
The municipal council thus agreed by majority – only the two French-speaking elected officials voted against – to require a report by June presenting “options for recognition of French-speaking and indigenous communities”.
This report is supported by the Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada.