(Paris) Prepare to see this slogan everywhere. Montreal will soon appear as “Francophone metropolis of the Americas” in its official logo, Valérie Plante said Friday, ending her week-long European tour.
What there is to know
- Mayor Valérie Plante confirmed to The Press that the Montreal logo will henceforth include the slogan “French-speaking metropolis of the Americas”.
- The idea had been suggested in the report of a committee on the promotion of French in Montreal, released last month.
- Valérie Plante ended a five-day tour of Europe on Friday. She visited London, Vienna and Paris.
Mme Plante was coming out of a conference bringing together dozens of mayors from French-speaking cities around the world. She defended the idea of ”promoting the cities where French is the first language across the planet”.
In Montreal, this enhancement will go through a change in the City’s business image to integrate its French character. Montreal displayed as “French-speaking metropolis of the Americas” in all its communications and signage: “Yes, yes, yes,” said Ms.me Plante, directly confirming that his administration would proceed in this direction. ” I like it. »
“Honestly, I was already using it [l’expression] and there, it looks like I’m saying it even more proudly,” she continued, seated for the interview in a lavish gilded salon in the residence of Canada’s ambassador to France. “One does not prevent the other: this idea of a cosmopolitan city, with French as a social binder. That’s what I like. »
IMAGE PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF MONTREAL
The new Montreal logo proposed by the Harel committee has just received the support of Valérie Plante.
It was a recommendation from a committee on French chaired by former minister Louise Harel whose report was released last month. Mme Plante had already expressed his openness to the idea, but had never confirmed his support.
The committee of Mme Harel was inspired by Quebec City, whose logo has included the slogan “L’accent d’Amérique” since 2014.
“Several cities have adopted positioning statements or logos to express what sets them apart,” noted the committee. According to the graphic proposal included in the report, the words “Francophone metropolis of the Americas” would be inserted under “Montreal”, to the left of the red rosette which constitutes the emblem of the City.
“Symbolically, it’s very important to have an affirmation of what Montreal is and wants to be. And to express it in a generalized way, “said Mr.me Harel in interview, still in March.
Ideas “with Montreal sauce”
Valérie Plante will return to Quebec this weekend, after a visit to London, Vienna and Paris. She met the mayors of these three cities, visited some of their emblematic projects and participated in municipal diplomacy meetings.
The mayor draws a positive assessment of her European tour.
First, because “Montreal, we are an international city, it’s important to say that,” she said, noting the strong presence of consulates and head offices. “There is an expectation at the international level for Montreal to be present in different networks, in different agreements. […] Montreal has always had very strong international relations. »
PHOTO FROM VALÉRIE PLANTE’S FACEBOOK ACCOUNT
The Mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, during her visit to Vienna, capital of Austria
Then because the mayors and the projects she visited target the same concerns as those that torment her, she said: environment, mobility and housing.
It gives us tools, it allows us to see other cities that have made trial and error, and what we hope is to learn from their mistakes.
Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montreal
The day before, she had said she was inspired by the transformation of Paris, but had refused to commit to the possibility of importing these ideas in the short term. On Friday, she spoke of her desire to adapt them “to the Montreal sauce”.
“Montreal is part of the international movement when it comes to climate change, adapting the territory and quality of life. And we are going to do it in our own way, by working with all the ecosystems depending on the files. »