The AFO is committed to 7 priority issues. For each issue, the AFO has made recommendations to achieve its vision.

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Political Representation

VISION 2025 – Building Our Future Together is French Ontario’s community strategic plan for the next 10 years.

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Community Strategic Plan

The AFO is working on various projects to promote the Francophonie in Ontario and ensure the vitality of the Franco-Ontarian community.

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Projects

<h2 class="has-text-align-center">Below you will find all press releases and statements issued by AFO.</h2>







Stay in touch with AFO by subscribing to our <a href="https:///afo.membogo.com/fr/inscription-infolettre-afo">newsletter</a> (French only)

Vous trouverez ci-dessous tous les communiqués de presse et déclarations publiés par l'AFO. Restez en contact avec AFO en vous inscrivant à notre infolettre

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December 8, 2022 (Ottawa) — L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) believes that Laurentian University’s most recent appointment of a president who refuses to speak French is one more step towards the abandonment of French at the institution since its financial restructuring process.



Since March 2021, the AFO has supported the transformation of the Université de Sudbury and has called for a reform of Laurentian University’s bilingual mandate so that the French-language university programming in the Near North may be governed “by and for” francophones. For several months now, the AFO has also been asking for the two Sudbury institutions to engage in dialogue and come to an agreement that would allow the institutions to properly meet the needs of the students from within the region and across the province. 



“The appointment of an interim president who does not wish to speak in French is a bold, strategic decision by Laurentian University. The AFO believes that the process of withdrawing from French-language programming began with the institution’s financial restructuring and the abolition of half of its French-language programs,” said AFO President Fabien Hébert. 



Early next year, Laurentian University will begin an organizational review of its French-language programming. 



“The Franco-Ontarian community is clear : Our trust in Laurentian has been broken. The future of French is at the Université de Sudbury. Laurentian must abandon its bilingual mandate and come to an agreement with the Université de Sudbury in order to build the future of postsecondary education in the Near North: a Laurentian strong in its English-language programming and a Université de Sudbury strong in its French-language programming,” added Mr. Hébert.

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Laurentian takes next step in abandoning French with the nomination of a president who avoids speaking the language

Ottawa, September 13, 2022 – In a letter addressed to Ontario’s Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB), Carol Jolin, president of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO), reiterated his support for the Université de Sudbury, noting that the Franco-Ontarian community has full confidence in  the institution’s financial, community and academic credibility.  



Last summer, the Université de Sudbury agreed to undergo a review of its institution by the PEQAB, at the invitation of the Minister of Colleges and Universities, the Honourable Jill Dunlop. Funded by the Government of Canada and endorsed by the Ontario government, this organizational review is an important step in the Université of Sudbury’s transformation process.  



Last month, the PEQAB released documentation supplied by the Université de Sudbury for its organizational review. The public has until Sept. 23 to comment on the Franco-Ontarian institution’s file. 



“The University of Sudbury has the strongest financial health of all the universities located in its immediate region. Also, the Université de Sudbury has received government funding twice in recent months, which is proof that our governments have confidence in the financial management of this university,” wrote the AFO president. 



In addition to touting the financial health of the Université de Sudbury, Mr. Jolin made sure to demonstrate the strong community support that exists for the project. He also praised the project for its excellent academic model. 



The PEQAB’s mandate is to conduct an organizational review of the Université de Sudbury. This review will allow the PEQAB to advise the government as to whether or not the institution has the capacity to offer degrees according to Ontario Qualifications Framework.  



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The AFO supports the Université de Sudbury as it  undergoes PEQAB review

Ottawa, November 30, 2021 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) urges Laurentian University to show greater transparency in its ongoing dispute with the Auditor General of Ontario. The organization, which represents Francophones across the province, is asking itself what Laurentian has to hide, as it appears to be systematically preventing the Auditor General’s team from doing its work. 
The Auditor General, an Officer of the Legislative Assembly, is responsible for reviewing Laurentian’s finances from the past 10 years and has suggested that a “culture of fear” is slowing their audit. 
According to affidavits filed in the Superior Court of Ontario in Sudbury, Laurentian staff refused to speak with the Auditor General’s office on numerous occasions. 
AFO is concerned that the difficulties encountered by the Auditor General’s staff are hindering the audit, especially with regard to millions of dollars in government funding for Official Language education. AFO encourages Claude Lacroix, chair of Laurentian’s Board of Governors, to mandate that his president ensure transparency in communications with the Auditor General and with all Ontarians. 
On May 11 of this past year, AFO wrote to the Auditor General requesting a review of Laurentian’s use of government funds intended for French language instruction, to be done within the framework of the overall audit. On Aug. 25, AFO met with the Auditor General’s office at their request. 
“Franco-Ontarians, and the Ontarian population as a whole, have the right to know what has driven Laurentian into this slump. Laurentian has a responsibility toward the French-speaking population, and the larger Ontario population, to prove its transparency in regards to its management of taxpayers’ money. What does Laurentian have to hide? Any hindrance to the Auditor General’s investigation is unacceptable!” said the AFO president.

Laurentian University / Auditor General: AFO demands transparency from Laurentian

Ottawa, May 10th 2021 – In the release of her decision authorizing the dissolution of the Laurentian Federation made public on Friday, May 7th, Justice Cory Gilmore of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario has indicated that the University of Sudbury is free to reinvent itself as a francophone institution and that this would be desirable for the francophone community in Northern Ontario. 
« This [the University of Sudbury’s project to become a francophone university] is a laudable and important goal which it is hoped that SU can achieve in the near future. […] Post Disclaimer, SU is free to re-invent itself as a francophone university and without the constraints of the Federation Agreements. Indeed, providing such an option to the northern community would be desirable and would not be impeded by LU’s restructuring, » wrote Justice Gilmore. 
AFO is pleased that its participation in the proceedings has demonstrated, as mentioned by Justice Gilmore, that « a ‘bilingual’ institution is not enough as English tends to be the dominant language in such institutions. » 
Justice Gilmore also indicated that Laurentian University must take into account the needs of the Franco-Ontarian community in the context of the proceedings brought under the CCAA. AFO has brought to the attention of Laurentian University the failure to meet its commitments with regards to programs, courses and services in French and, in response to the University of Sudbury’s arguments, the Court noted that the Franco-Ontarian community has asserted its concerns to Laurentian University in the past. Moreover, she noted that Laurentian University’s commitment towards its bilingual and tricultural mandate is linked to the funding it receives. 
« Even if Laurentian University proposes, for now, to preserve a fraction of its French programming, it is evident that for Laurentian University, the francophone aspect has not been a priority for a very long time. Justice Gilmore noted that the affidavit of the Laurentian’s President does not mention the language rights of francophones at all. The Court indicated that the proposed restructuring by Laurentian University will not prevent the completion of the project for a francophone university in Sudbury, and AFO will continue to work towards that goal, » said AFO President Carol Jolin.

The End of the Laurentian Federation : The True Beginning of a Francophone University in Sudbury

Sudbury, May 4, 2021 – The Université libre du Nouvel-Ontario was created today with the support of its happy partners, including the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO). It is a project for the democratization of knowledge and community engagement, the result of a dream dating back over a century: the creation of a French-language university in Sudbury. 
« Free to think, to create and to act, and free from any mercantile imperative, the Université libre du Nouvel-Ontario is advocating for the creation a French-language university in the Nouvel-Ontario, » said Serge Miville, who holds the title of vice-president of resistance as part of this unique initiative. « It may not be a real university, but it will show the way forward to create a French-language university in our region. » 
The Université libre was born out of the collective indignation of academics, artists and members of the francophone community. It belongs to the entire Franco-Ontarian society and to its allies. Over the next few months, the ULNO will be offering online courses open to all in a variety of disciplines as well as cultural programming that will give voice to local artists. This initiative will culminate on June 23, 24 and 25, 2021, with the Franco-Parole III conference, which will be attended by many of Canada’s and Quebec’s leading francophone thinkers. « The Franco-Parole III conference will be a privileged moment of reflection and advocacy. The university institution is in crisis, and we must seize this opportunity to project francophone Ontario into the future, » said Michel Bock, vice-president of intellectual liveliness. 
ULNO administrators invite the media and interested individuals to subscribe to their social media channels to stay on top of developments and to learn about scheduled events. 
– Twitter: @ULNouvelOntario 
– Facebook: https:///www.facebook.com/UniversiteLibreDuNouvelOntario 
The Université libre du Nouvel-Ontario is a collective of artists, intellectuals and activists from Sudbury and elsewhere whose objective embodies the fundamental mission of a French-language university and aims to raise awareness among the francophone population and its allies on the importance and social function of this institution in a minority francophone environment.

Freedom! L’Université libre du Nouvel-Ontario is born

Ottawa, May 3, 2021 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is disappointed by the decision rendered by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Sudbury which terminates the Laurentian Federation. 
The AFO notes that Université de Sudbury made every attempt to engage Laurentian University in good faith discussions towards a fair and equitable agreement for both parties. Now, however, the AFO can only thank Laurentian University for pushing Université de Sudbury forward on the road to institutional autonomy. 
« Even though the Laurentian Federation has come to this sad end, Université de Sudbury does not cease to exist. Our discussions with its president assure us that this century-old institution, created in response to Ontario’s Regulation XVII’s banning French language education, is continuing to work on developing an excellent proposal to ensure the future of French-language university programs in the Greater Sudbury area, » said the AFO’s president, Carol Jolin. 
The AFO encourages the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to quickly provide support to the Université de Sudbury so that it can submit the best proposal possible. 
Following Université de Sudbury’s announcement embracing governance by, for and with Francophones, the AFO is demanding institutional autonomy and a governance model by, for and with Francophones for Université de Sudbury, as well as the transfer of Laurentian University’s French-language programs to this French-language institution.

The end of the Laurentian federation:  another step towards institutional autonomy

L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario will reinforce the presence and engagement of the Franco-Ontarian community in the lead up to and during the 28th edition of the Canada Games, scheduled from August 6-21, 2022 in the Niagara Region 
Niagara, march 19, 2021 – The Niagara Host Society and l’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (l’AFO) are thrilled to announce a partnership that will see l’AFO become the Francophone Community Network Partner of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games. Created in 1910, l’AFO serves as a unifying organization for the Francophone community in Ontario, acting as a voice for more than 744,000 Franco-Ontarians and 1.5 million French speakers living within the province. 
In its role with Niagara 2022, l’AFO will help enhance the presence and engagement of our country’s largest Francophone community outside of Quebec both before and during the 2022 Canada Summer Games. Specifically, they will amplify the visibility of the Francophonie by contributing to the Games cultural programming, which features Niagara Place and the 13 for 13 Cultural Festival, and by assisting with the recruitment of bilingual volunteers. 
« Understanding the importance and strength of our Francophone and Francophile communities, both here in the Niagara Region and throughout Ontario, we are grateful to be forging this partnership with l’AFO, » said Doug Hamilton, Board Chair of the Niagara Host Society. « The Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games will serve as an opportunity for us to celebrate our country’s linguistic duality, and we are very pleased that l’AFO will help us achieve that between now and Games-time. » 
« By joining forces with l’AFO, we are further strengthening the inclusion of Francophone culture with our Games, » said Sue Morin, Official Languages Chair of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games. « Given the opportunity afforded to the Niagara Region as host of this one-of-kind event, we are delighted to be working with this important organization and Niagara’s Francophone community to solidify the presence of Franco-Ontarians on a national stage. » 
« On behalf of the Franco-Ontarian community, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario is thrilled to partner with the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, the largest multi-sport event in Canada, » said Carol Jolin, the AFO’s Board Chair. « The Games are joining forces with a Canadian advocacy organization representing Francophones, marking an era of recognition of French for this important sporting event. The AFO is delighted by the emphasis these Games are placing on the language and on accessibility, which promote inclusion and the representation of Canadian society in its entirety. It’s an event you won’t want to miss! » 
In partnership with l’AFO, the Niagara Host Society will be hosting a virtual information session, moderated by Hélène Caron, on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm EST to discuss the planning of the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, and how the contribution of over 600 bilingual volunteers will be essential to the delivery of Canada’s largest multi-sport event in both Official Languages in the Niagara Region. Anyone interested in registering for this free webinar can do so <a href="https:///www.eventbrite.ca/e/bienvenuewelcome-niagara-2022-canada-summer-games-en-francais-tickets-146481310543" rel="noopener" target="_blank">by visiting this webpage</a>.

L’ASSEMBLÉE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE DE L’ONTARIO NAMED FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY NETWORK PARTNER OF THE NIAGARA 2022 CANADA SUMMER GAMES

Ottawa, February 25, 2021 – Today, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) has asked to be granted an interested party status by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in the legal proceedings to reach a financial agreement between the bilingual institution and its various creditors as well as take part in the reconstructive plan agreement for Laurentian University. 
The AFO’s board mandated their Executive director to prepare the official request for the Court with the support of the Juristes Power Law firm. The motion was adopted unanimously at an emergency board meeting held on February 15th. The AFO has submitted a request for funding to the Court Challenges Program in order to obtain financial assistance in regards to this matter. 
« Laurentian University plays an important role in the Franco-Ontarian community as it is currently the institution offering the most French language postsecondary courses and programming in Northern Ontario. We need to ensure that French-language programming is maintained in Northern Ontario » stated the AFO’s president, Carol Jolin. 
« At this time, no one is raising the concerns of Francophones and the rights of the Franco-Ontarian community before the court in regards to the reconstructive process of the University. That is the reason why we are requesting to be included in the Court’s proceedings. Ontario’s Francophone community must be represented to ensure that its rights and interests are upheld and protected. The community needs to be assured that the eventual financial agreement and reconstructive plan that will be approved by the Court will respect the francophone aspect of the institution. », added Mr. Jolin. 
On February 3rd, the AFO wrote to Laurentian University’s chairman of their board of governors, Claude Lacroix, to express concerns about the impact of the institution’s financial challenges on the Franco-Ontarian community.

Laurentian University : The AFO seeks to ensure that the court-supervised financial restructuring maintains French-language programming

Ottawa, december 1, 2020 – L’AFO is joining Francophone and Acadian minority communities nationwide, today, in an urgent plea on a national day of Francophone solidarity. In the closing weeks of a year which has shown more than ever the erosion of the status of French, we are asking the federal government to confirm a timetable for modernizing the Official Languages Act. 
L’AFO finds it very worrisome that 10 days before Parliament adjourns for the Holidays, the government has given no indication on when it intends to introduce a bill to modernize the Official Languages Act. L’AFO fears that a bill introduced too late may not be adopted before next election. 
« The modernization of the Official Languages Act is urgent! It was a promise made by the federal government, who announced in the Speech from the Throne its intention to protect and promote French across the country. Now is the time for action! The government must act without delay because French is becoming increasingly fragile and we must protect it as one of Canada’s official languages, » said Carol Jolin, President of l’AFO. 
Francophone and Acadian communities want a modernized Act which, among other things, would designate a central authority responsible for overseeing implementation of language obligations throughout the federal government. This would ensure that failures to communicate in both official languages in an emergency situation, such as the COVID-19 crisis, don’t happen again. A modernized Act would also commit the federal government, as well as provinces and territories, to increased efforts in terms of protection and promotion of French. It would eliminate obstacles to French second-language education, and create an official languages tribunal so that citizens can easily and quickly obtain redress for violations of the Act. 
L’AFO is encouraging citizens to visit <a href="https:///ourofficiallanguages.ca/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ourofficiallanguages.ca</a> and write to their MP to demand immediate action for the modernization of the Official Languages Act. Now is the time for action!

Francophone and Acadian Minority Communities Unite in Day of Solidarity L’AFO Joins Nationwide, Urgent Plea for Modernization of Official Languages Act

Ottawa, August 18, 2020 – L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) and the <a href="https:///theonn.ca/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ontario Nonprofit Network</a> (ONN) are proud to present the results of a <a href="https:///theonn.ca/assets/images/uploads/2020/08/Final_-English_-Three-months-into-COVID-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">joint survey</a> to understand the impact of the pandemic on the nonprofit sector three months into the crisis. 
During the month of June, 1131 nonprofit organizations across the province took part in our survey. With these responses, both provincial organizations now dispose of evidence to support their approaches at the federal and provincial levels. 
This collaboration between the two organizations was a perfect fit, because the challenges related to the health crisis facing organizations, whether they are French-speaking, English-speaking or bilingual, are similar. 
« The COVID-19 crisis threatens the dynamism of community life in the province. With the results of the various surveys that AFO has conducted since last March, we know that one in five nonprofit organizations is currently in a critical situation. Francophones in Ontario have taken 400 years to build a network of institutions and nonprofits. Losing them would represent a dangerous step towards assimilation and would inevitably lead to a reduction in the supply of services in French in the province. Governments would lose as well, with many nonprofits providing services on their behalf,  » said Carol Jolin, AFO President. 
« COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on Ontario’s nonprofits and charities and this survey clearly demonstrates that government supports have fallen short of what is needed to help nonprofits through the crisis into recovery. Although nonprofits remain optimistic and demonstrate incredible resilience to continue serving communities, the time is now for governments to act to prevent the closure of programs and services that communities across this province rely on, » said Cathy Taylor, executive director of ONN. 
The two organizations are recommending a suite of solutions based on the results of the survey: 
1. The Ontario government must create a nonprofit sector stabilization fund . 
2. The Ontario government should accelerate the deployment of pandemic pay, and other supports, which took too long to reach front-line organizations. 
3. The Government of Canada should ensure the federal emergency wage subsidy program is more flexible and responsive to nonprofit business models. 
4. Both levels of government must invest in rural broadband to help both nonprofits and small businesses thrive in small communities across Ontario. 
5. Both levels of government must create a nonprofit sector advisory table to inform planning for the economic recovery, with representation from all nonprofit sectors. 
Highlights of the survey: 
– The majority of nonprofits continue to operate, even when facing significant challenges and losses. 
– In order to survive, many nonprofits have had to lay off staff or reduce employee hours, draw from their reserve funds, and have faced increased expenses. 
– Many nonprofits believe they will have to close their doors by the end of the year if they do not receive assistance.

The impact of COVID-19 on the nonprofit sector

Ottawa, June 12th 2020 – L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is delighted by the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in favour of the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique’s (Francophone Education Authority of B.C.’s) case against the province of British Columbia. After a 10 year battle, the AFO is very pleased that the Supreme Court recognizes the importance of Article 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  
This Charter article is fundamental to countering the effects of assimilation in Francophone communities across Canada.  It ensures the right to access a French-language education (in a minority setting) that is equivalent to the systems offered to the majority. 
On top of this great victory, the provincial government of British Columbia will now be required to pay $6 million in damages and interest to the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique for not fulfilling its duty to cover the costs of school transportation for the years 2002 to 2012, as well as pay $1.1 million to cover the funding that the French-language education system should have received.  This is a big step forward for the constitutional rights of Francophones in Canada.   
“Financial costs are no longer an excuse to prohibit access to French-language education in this country. This is a great victory for Franco-Columbians and as well as Francophones and their allies across the country. All Canadians should have equal opportunities in both official languages across Canada! This decision is historic and its importance cannot be understated. Today, the highest court in the land has recognized the importance of offering French-language education systems and infrastructures that are equivalent  to those of the Anglophone education system.” stated the president of the AFO, Carol Jolin. 
“In the wake of a modernisation of the Official Language Act, this conflict that lasted a full decade shows us that governments can still try to lessen their responsibilities and obligations in regards to linguistic rights. Let’s take this extraordinary opportunity to update our linguistic rights in a way that will build a country where Francophones will no longer need to constantly fight to live and grow in French.”, continues Carol Jolin. 
“In conclusion, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the 744 000 Franco-Ontarians, who have had this important cause very dear to their hearts, the plaintiffs, the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique, the Fédération des parents francophones de Colombie-Britannique, Annette Azar-Diehl, Stéphane Perron and Marie-Nicole Dubois.  We are eternally grateful for all your hard work and everything you have accomplished.” concludes the president of the AFO.

Francophone Language Rights : A Bulwark Against Assimilation

Ottawa, June 3, 2020 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO), in collaboration with the Société économique de l’Ontario, is proud to unveil today a new promotional tool entitled « <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2020/06/AFO_prospectus_VENG_web.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ontario Open for Business en français.</a> » It consists of a 32-page bilingual prospectus aimed at the business world which makes the case for business start-ups or investments with a focus on French in Ontario. 
The document showcases Ontario as an environment that has substantial Francophone and bilingual human resources. Its release comes at a key time as reflection continues on reopening the province’s economy following the COVID-19 public health crisis. It will be available for distribution to governments, companies and organizations that do business internationally. 
« In Ontario, the future is bright with opportunities in both French and English across many sectors that have huge potential, thanks to our business environment which is excellent for growth, innovation, investment, job creation and the entrepreneurial spirit in all its forms. As an observer member of the Organisation internationale de la francophonie, Ontario shows its willingness to do business with Francophone countries throughout the world and boasts all of the assets needed for success: a flourishing Francophone population, an abundance of bilingual talent and a world of ambition, » says Carol Jolin, president of the AFO. 
« The ability to speak French is an advantage that opens doors to regional, national and international ecosystems. Within Ontario, French is a catalyst for economic development that helps local communities flourish and attracts Francophone and bilingual community resources from around the world. The SEO proposes collaborative approaches and focuses on regionalism to contribute to Ontario’s growth. » says Denis Laframboise, president, Société économique de l’Ontario (SÉO). 
The publication was produced by the firm Axion. « The AFO challenged us to design a prestigious document that could attract international entrepreneurs and investors. The key asset to promote is French Ontario itself, in all of its rich diversity, within a strong province of Ontario. Page after page, the document highlights our best assets and advantages and opens doors to the Ontario market like never before. We wish you the best of success in your recruitment efforts, » says Linda Savard, president of the firm Axion. 
The AFO hopes that this document will raise interest among large companies and investors and looks forward to distributing it widely to international audiences in economic missions, embassies and other appropriate places and events.

Ontario is open for business en français, says the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario

Ottawa, January 20, 2020 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) today proudly launches the celebrations marking its 110th anniversary. It was on January 20, 1910, that the Association canadienne-française d’éducation d’Ontario, the forerunner of today’s AFO, was founded following a two-day convention in Ottawa attended by 1200 delegates from across the province. 
Immediately, the organization positioned itself as a strong political voice in the field of education, particularly in the battle against Regulation 17 which banned the use of the French language in Ontario schools. In 1969, the ACFÉO changed its name and became the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario (the provincial ACFO) as it broadened the scope of its activities and advocacy to include areas such as justice, culture, politics, health and the economy. 
In 2006, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) was formed by the fusion of the provincial ACFO with the Direction de l’Entente Canada-communauté Ontario. Year by year, the AFO became an ever-stronger presence in federal and provincial political arenas and successfully mobilized Franco-Ontarians around common issues, a recent example being the response to the provincial government’s 2018 budget cuts. 
“I am very grateful for everything that our predecessors have accomplished for Ontario’s Francophone community. It is thanks, in part, to those 110 years of hard work that today we have a vibrant Francophone community across the entire province. In turn, we will ensure that our rights are respected and that Ontario’s Francophones have the standing they deserve. We are also heartened to see the rise of an active new generation. Our organization continues to have a bright future ahead of it. We are and will remain Franco-Ontarians!” declared the AFO’s president, Carol Jolin. 
Over the course of 2020, the AFO will publish articles highlighting key events in the history of the organization and the Franco-Ontarian community. They will be <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/en/category/history/">posted on the website</a>. Celebrations will also be held in many communities throughout the province, including a convention in Ottawa to mark the end of the year-long celebration under the theme “Agir pour l’avenir” (acting for the future). 
Click <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/en/110-years-ago-the-acfeo-became-the-first-flagship-organization-for-all-franco-ontarians/">here</a> to learn more about the founding of our organization.

110 years of struggles, successes and commitment!

On January 20, 1910, in Ottawa, a promising new provincial organization concluded its inaugural convention and embarked upon its mission: to be the voice of its community and to defend the rights of Franco-Ontarians.  
From across the province, 1200 delegates attended the first-ever education convention held January 18 to 20, 1910, from which emerged the Association canadienne-française d’éducation d’Ontario (ACFÉO).  
Judge Albert Constantineau from eastern Ontario encouraged Franco-Ontarians to come together in a provincial association. He was supported by Father Alexandre Beausoleil. Together, they chaired a founding commission which convinced an impressive array of community leaders to join.  
The issue of the hour was education and there were many calls for improvements to the education system. 
The convention was announced in 1908 in the newspaper Le Moniteur, published in Hawkesbury. A circular distributed in 1909 explained that the convention would lead to the founding of “a provincial association devoted to fair and legitimate demands for all of our rights and tireless vigilance for our national interests.” 
In the decade of 1910, the French-speaking community in Ontario was rapidly expanding, especially in northern and eastern areas of the province. In 1911, Francophones represented approximately 10% of Ontario’s total population, a demographic high point. 
The delegates (11% of whom were from “New Ontario”, the province’s northern districts) were chosen in assemblies held in every parish, township, district or county to represent their communities. The Franco-Ontarian population at that time was approximately 210,000. 
At the convention, Senator Napoléon-Antoine Belcourt of Ottawa was unanimously chosen as the first president of the ACFÉO.  
In his acceptance speech, he stated that “we will happily welcome everyone who wants to help us with their advice and co-operation, regardless of their origins,” adding that “all those who want to contribute to the study, the knowledge and the dissemination of the French language will always be welcome.” At the convention, delegates also heard presentations about the state of affairs in various regions of French Ontario. Statutes and regulations were adopted. Two sumptuous banquets punctuated the convention. 
The prime minister of Canada at the time, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and two of his ministers attended the convention, as did the leader of the official opposition, Robert Laird Borden. The Government of Ontario was represented by two ministers, Adam Beck and Francis Cochrane.  
Following the convention, the ACFÉO established itself as the primary provincial organization of Franco-Ontarians and extended its presence throughout the province by creating regional associations to serve as organizational channels for the head office in Ottawa.  
The ACFÉO changed its name and became the ACFO in 1969. Its current name, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario, was adopted in 2006.

110 years ago, the ACFÉO became the first flagship organization  for all Franco-Ontarians

Ottawa, October 15th, 2019 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO), the organisation representing Ontario’s 1.5 million French speakers, is proud to renew its <a href="https:///bonjourwelcome.ca/">Bonjour Welcome</a> campaign. 
The campaign, launched at the provincial level in 2016, has already been well received in all parts of Ontario. It has been successful in forging partnerships with local Ontario French-Canadian associations (ACFO), and other organizations representing the francophone community. <a href="https:///bonjourwelcome.ca/en/partners">Fourteen ambassadors</a> from across the province have already joined the project. 
For this new phase of the project, 8 new Francophone associations in 8 new regions, received funding to promote the campaign in their area : Association des communautés francophones de l’Ontario in Toronto (ACFO Toronto), Centre communautaire francophone in Sarnia/Lambton (CCF Sarnia), Centre communautaire francophone in London (CCF London), Centre régional de recherche et d’intervention en développement économique et communautaire in Hearst (CRRIDEC), Cercle de l’amitié in Peel/Mississauga, Club 2000 in Niagara (CERF Niagara), Rayon Franco de Cochrane in Cochrane and the Services for Counselling Hearst Kapuskasing Smooth Rock Falls in Kapuskasing (Kap Counselling). 
According to Peter Hominuk, the AFO’s Executive Director, “This is a positive campaign intended to encourage Ontario’s Francophones, visitors, as well as bilingual individuals to ask to be served in French when purchasing goods and services”. He adds that the Bonjour Welcome campaign also includes a component which directly targets the business community, French speakers as well as English speakers: “I invite business people to proudly show that they can serve their clients in both French and English. They will quickly realize that bilingualism is good for business. Serving clients in their language is quality customer service.” 
Another new addition to the project’s renewal is a <a href="https:///bonjourwelcome.ca/en/directory">directory of bilingual businesses and organizations</a>. The directory was developed as a result of the networking efforts of Bonjour Welcome’s first ambassadors, and the interest of businesses to take part in this provincial bilingual campaign. Regional ambassadors built the directory and it will continue to develop thanks to the efforts of new ambassadors coming on board, as well as the interest of businesses and organizations Who offer services in both of Canada’s official languages. 
The Bonjour Welcome campaign, launched as part of Canada 150 programming, is financed by the department of Canadian Heritage and underscores Canada’s two official languages as a national treasure. Bonjour Welcome is pleased to pursue its partnership with the Regroupement des gens d’affaires (RGA), a consortium of Francophone businesses in Ontario. The RGA will help Bonjour Welcome identify prospective bilingual businesses and organizations as well as provide training and support.

PROVINCIAL RENEWAL OF BONJOUR WELCOME

Toronto, September 30, 2019 – Increase the availability of relevant and up-to-date data; reduce the vulnerability of Francophone seniors in Ontario; increase the offer of long-term care services in French; adopt an integrated approach to aging; exert pressure at the municipal level. These five recommendations are at the heart of the <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2019/09/White-Paper-Aging-Finale-version-FFF.pdf">White Paper on Ontario’s Aging Francophone Population</a>, which was unveiled on the eve of the International Day of Older Persons by the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) and its partner, the Fédération des aînés et des retraités francophones de l’Ontario (FARFO). 
Ontario’s population is aging and the trend is even more pronounced among the province’s Francophone population. Ontario’s Francophone community is older compared to the general population: it has a greater proportion of people aged 65 and over and a lesser proportion of people aged 35 and less. 
Access to long-term care beds is one the key challenges identified in the White Paper. Last year, municipalities identified one bed designated for French-language services per 3400 Francophones, compared to the average of one bed per 170 people for Ontario’s general population. In Toronto, the Francophone community can access only 37 long-term care beds. An opportunity to improve the situation of Francophone seniors is at hand as the Government of Ontario prepares to invest in the creation of 30,000 beds over the next ten years. 
“Our aging seniors are a key issue in Ontario’s Francophone community. Considering the difficulty of obtaining French language services and this barrier’s impact on our aging citizens, the White Paper is vital to addressing the problem. The situation was assessed, recommendations were put forward and the AFO, in partnership with the FARFO, will pursue its efforts to ensure that the recommendations are heeded,” said Carol Jolin, president of the AFO. 
“The White Paper’s recommendations are clear. We must demand more French language services in health, mental health, palliative care, long-term care centres, home care, affordable housing, transportation and financial security for seniors. The FARFO and its partners will work to strengthen their strategy to ensure that our needs are not forgotten,” said Jean-Rock Boutin, president of the FARFO. 
The Hon. Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, was present at the unveiling of the <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2019/09/White-Paper-Aging-Finale-version-FFF.pdf »>White Paper on Ontario’s Aging Francophone Population</a>.

The AFO and the FARFO present a plan to improve the situation of Ontario’s Francophone seniors

Ottawa, July 2, 2019 – The Société de l’Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick (SANB), the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) and the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) have signed a historic memorandum of understanding to protect and promote the language rights of official language minority communities. This partnership is the first of its kind in Canada. 
Building on the strong support and solidarity expressed in recent months in the wake of government decisions and announcements that have sorely tested Canada’s official language minority communities, this memorandum of understanding will foster cooperation and bring the three partners closer together. 
“Although the specifics of our situations may differ, our rights are fundamentally the same. Together, we will write the next chapter of language rights to ensure they are respected across Canada,” said Carol Jolin, President of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario. 
The memorandum of understanding is intended to strengthen coordination between the three organizations, which represent more than 2.4 million people – nearly 90 per cent Canadians living in official language minority communities. The memorandum of understanding formalizes their desire to work together to make official languages an important issue during the next federal election campaign and to protect the language rights shared by the different provinces. 
“We want our governments to realize that an attack on the rights of one of our communities is an attack on us all. We will remain united in the face of any assaults on linguistic duality, a fundamental value of our Canadian identity,” said Geoffrey Chambers, President of the Quebec Community Groups Network. 
The partner organizations maintain that the Government of Canada must be a leader when it comes to language rights. They have joined forces to defend the rights and interests of linguistic minority communities. 
“Modernizing the Official Languages Act of Canada, maintaining the right to manage education from early childhood to university, and ensuring essential services are offered in minority official languages: these are just some of the priorities identified by francophones in Ontario and New Brunswick, as well as anglophones in Quebec,” said Robert Melanson, President of the Société de l’Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick.

Memorandum of Understanding between Acadians in New Brunswick, English-speaking Quebecers and Franco-Ontarians

Ottawa, June 26 2019 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is heartened by news the government of Ontario has reached-out to its federal counterpart to “open a constructive dialogue” that could lead to a co-funding arrangement for the Université de l’Ontario français (UOF), Ontario’s French language university. On June 25th, a letter sent by Ontario’s Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs, Caroline Mulroney, and the Minister for Training, Colleges and Universities, Ross Romano, to federal Minister of Official Languages and La Francophonie, Mélanie Joly, confirms the opening of a dialogue between both levels of government. 
“We’ve known for many years that students interested in pursuing their university studies in French either have to leave the region or study in English”, explains AFO President, Carol Jolin. “Currently, 2 out of 3 employers in Central and Southwestern Ontario requiring highly skilled bilingual labour are unable to fill positions. This will lead to a shortage of 170,000 bilingual graduates between now and 2030 in essential areas such as health and education”. 
Last November 15th, 2019, in its 2018 Ontario Fiscal Review and Economic Statement, the provincial government announced it was suspending the opening of the French Language university until further notice. In the following weeks, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario urged both the federal and provincial governments to develop a co-funding agreement. 
Recently, the AFO published a report on the projected economic and social benefits of the Université de l’Ontario français. It compares medium sized post-secondary institutions such as the Université de Moncton as well as Nipissing University and Brandon University. Based on comparative analysis, the Université de l’Ontario français could generate between 56 and 79 million dollars in economic spin offs by 2024-2025 and create 400 jobs by 2027-2028. 
“The Université de l’Ontario français is a win-win for all. Bilingualism is not only an asset, but also an opportunity for Ontario to diversify its economy locally, provincially and internationally”, says Carol Jolin. “We look forward to the provincial and federal governments signing a formal funding agreement”. 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is the umbrella organisation and the political voice of Ontario’s Francophone community. Its mandate is to assist the Francophone community across the province in working together and to provide community representation, in particular to advocate for the rights of Ontario’s 744,000 Franco-Ontarian citizens.

Francophones encouraged by Ontario government’s gesture  on French Language university

Ottawa, June 19, 2019 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) published today a report on the significance of the Université de l’Ontario français (UOF), Ontario’s first French-language university. This <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2019/06/Rapport-final-AFO-PGF.pdf?utm_source=M%C3%A9dias+de+l%27Ontario+2.0&utm_campaign=2575a2faf2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_04_30_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0a0c11082e-2575a2faf2-181766969">exploratory study</a> indicates that the UOF can potentially have a substantial economic and social impact on the province. 
Produced by the firm PGF at the request of the AFO, the report is based on data collected from the Université de l’Ontario français and three modest-sized universities – Moncton, Nipissing and Brandon. The comparative data indicate that the UOF’s potential contribution to Ontario’s GDP could be anywhere from $56 to $79 million in 2024-2025 and could create about 400 jobs by 2027-2028. 
The report also refers to the Malatest study, which forecasts a shortage of approximately 170 000 university graduates with good French fluency in Ontario’s Central-Southwest by 2030. Currently, two out of three employers requiring bilingual employees with higher education experience difficulty in recruiting staff. 
“Difficulty in meeting the demand for Francophone professionals means significant economic loss for the province of Ontario. The Francophone dimension of the province represents an opportunity for the government of Ontario to diversify the province’s economy locally, provincially and internationally. But we need to have the means to fulfill that ambition,” said the AFO’s president, Carol Jolin. 
The report also indicates that going forward with the UOF project would allow the provincial government to fulfill its legal obligation to provide French language education and, more generally, French language services. Moreover, the report underscores the UOF’s innovative business model, which includes a variety of means and approaches (partnerships, technologies, transdisciplinary approaches, shared services) that give the UOF agility that established universities in the same region cannot match. 
Key facts: 
The business model adopted by the UOF expects 348 students in 2020-2021, rising to more than 1000 full-time students (FTS) by 2023-2024 and more than 2000 FTS in 2028-2029. The student population could reach 3000 FTS by 2032-2033. 
By projecting the tuition fees to 2027-2028 for a population of 2000 students, the report puts forward a conservative estimate of $14.3 M in revenue from tuition fees, $1.5 M in revenue from ancillary fees and $12.8 M in government funding from all sources, for a total of $28.6 M. 
The UOF’s contribution to Ontario GDP could be $ 56 M to $78 M by 2024-2025, based on the data of Université de Moncton. 
The total potential economic impact of the UOF could be in the order of $198 M to $240 M by 2024-2025, based on the data of Brandon University.

The Université de l’Ontario français:  huge economic and social potential for Ontario!

Ottawa, June 5, 2019 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) and the Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario (AJEFO) are pleased to see that the Legislative Assembly of Ontario will debate the question of updating the French Language Services Act following the tabling of a private member’s bill by Ottawa-Vanier MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers. 
“I thank Ms. Des Rosiers for continuing her efforts to move Francophone priorities forward before her upcoming departure from politics. I note that the content of the bill reflects the proposals unveiled at the November 2016 conference marking the 30th anniversary of the French Language Services Act. The member’s bill includes many promising ideas, including active offer and designating the province as a whole. Moreover, one section is devoted to reinstating the complete independence of the French Language Services Commissioner,” said Carol Jolin, president of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario. 
Updating the French Language Services Act (FLSA) is the Franco-Ontarian community’s top priority and a long-standing demand. “A great step forward was made in 1986 when the Act was adopted, but today it should be recognized that the Act must reflect the realities and needs of Francophones in the 21st century. Now more than ever, the Act needs to be overhauled. We have taken note of the Minister of Francophone Affairs’ willingness to modernize the FLSA and we will continue to work with the Minister in carrying out this commitment,” said Mr. Jolin. 
The Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario (AJEFO) and the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) also welcome Ms. Des Rosiers parliamentary initiative. “We reiterate that the time has come to update the French Language Services Act and we encourage the current government to take the necessary steps to undertake and complete this process to reflect the realities of the Francophone citizens of our province,” says Ms. Nadia Effendi, the AJEFO’s president. 
Following the adoption of a resolution at last year’s annual general meeting of the AFO, the AJEFO, together with the AFO, formed a committee tasked with preparing a draft of the legislation. It is expected that this proposed bill will be unveiled at the AFO’s next conference in October. The reinstatement of a fully independent French Language Services Commissioner will be among the proposals put forward.

An opportunity to begin to update the French Language Services Act

Toronto, April 30, 2019 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is launching a campaign to encourage the French speaking community to continue defending its language rights and to outline the procedure for submitting a complaint to the Ombudsman of Ontario when French language services are not properly delivered or are not made available. 
Citizens can learn how to go about submitting a complaint by visiting the AFO’s <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/tout-sur-la-procedure-de-plainte-a-lombudsman/">website</a>. In the coming weeks, messages and a video will be posted on social media to educate the Franco-Ontarian community in this regard. 
Ontario’s Francophone citizens have the right to communicate, to be educated and to live their lives in French, and the AFO is sparing no effort to ensure that language rights will be respected and strengthened. “It is important that the community continue to submit complaints when its rights are not respected,” said the AFO’s president, Carol Jolin. “Complaints are an important tool to help make the government aware of problems that occur in its delivery of services.” 
“The AFO will continue to demand the reinstatement of an independent French Language Services Commissioner, while also agreeing to collaborate with the Ombudsman until such time as a full-fledged Commissioner is reinstated. The Ombudsman was receptive to this way of proceeding when we met and discussed the matter,” added Mr. Jolin. 
The AFO thanks François Boileau, the outgoing Commissioner whose mandate ends today, for his tireless efforts to protect the language rights of Ontario’s Francophone minority. The work will continue and the AFO remains vigilant in its efforts to defend and preserve Ontario’s Francophone institutions.

An era has ended, but the work will go on!

Ottawa, le 5 avril 2019 – L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) a aujourd’hui procédé au dévoilement des 28 organismes bénéficiaires des subventions du programme « Effet multiplicateur ». Dans le cadre de ce programme, plus de 340 000$ ont été attribués à des organismes dont les projets sont destinés à bonifier l’offre de service active aux francophones de l’Ontario. 
Le programme « Effet multiplicateur » veut outiller les organismes communautaires pour identifier les effets de levier de leurs initiatives et maximiser ainsi leur impact dans les communautés francophones du Sud de l’Ontario. Le programme soutient le « Plan stratégique communautaire Vision 2025 » qui identifie que le défi de conception de projets est surtout causé par un manque de ressources et par la difficulté d’établir et de démontrer clairement les besoins spécifiques organisationnels. 
Pour les 28 organisations récipiendaires, l’aide financière servira à renforcer la capacité économique régionale pour l’innovation, l’entrepreneuriat et la collaboration, et à promouvoir le développement d’une économie forte et diversifiée dans le sud-ouest, le centre et l’est de l’Ontario. « L’AFO travaille pour la communauté. Grâce à l’aide reçue de FedDev Ontario, ces organismes vont pouvoir mettre en place des services qui vont contribuer à l’épanouissement de la communauté francophone du Sud de l’Ontario. Il est important de voir l’impact du travail de l’AFO sur les organismes francophones aussi bien membres que non membres », a déclaré Carol Jolin. « Nous ne nous arrêterons pas en si bon chemin. Notre souhait, c’est que les organismes franco-ontariens à l’échelle provinciale puissent disposer de fonds qui serviront à bâtir notre avenir francophone », a-t-il ajouté. 
Ce programme est financé par l’Agence fédérale de développement économique pour le Sud de l’Ontario (FedDev Ontario), l’un des six organismes de développement régional du Canada, qui offre du financement et des services aux entreprises qui appuient l’innovation et la croissance dans le Sud de l’Ontario. L’Initiative de développement économique (IDE) est un programme national, mis en œuvre par les organismes de développement régional d’un bout à l’autre du Canada, qui s’appuie sur les forces de chaque région pour favoriser une croissance économique durable dans des communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire (CLOSM). FedDev Ontario exécute le programme dans le Sud de l’Ontario. 
<a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/effet-multiplicateur/">Liste des organisations francophones récipiendaires</a>

L’AFO dévoile les récipiendaires de son programme « Effet multiplicateur » pour les organismes franco-ontariens

Ottawa, April 3, 2019 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) has submitted its brief to the Standing Committee on Social Policy studying Bill 74, The People’s Health Care Act, 2019. As the representative organization of Franco-Ontarians, the AFO believes that the bill gives the Government of Ontario the opportunity to ensure that access to French language health services will be protected if a few amendments are included. 
The AFO’s president, Carol Jolin, notes that “neither the French Language Services Act, nor Bill 74 in its current form, provide effective protection to organizations providing French language health services to Francophones in the event of an amalgamation of institutions. What will happen when an organization designated under the FLSA is integrated into another organization that isn’t designated? There have been many cases in the past where French language services were lost when services were integrated, for example, when two campuses of Georgian Bay General Hospital were combined.” 
In its brief, the AFO submits four (4) recommendations: 
1.	Provide legislative assurance that organizations which provide French language services and are designated or in the process of obtaining designation under the French Language Services Act will retain their designation following integration; 
2.	Clarify the role of the French Language Health Planning Entities; 
3.	State that the integrated health service delivery systems (Health Ontario teams) are designated under the French Language Services Act (FLSA); 
4.	Strengthen the Bill’s preamble. 
« I expect that the Government of Ontario will respect its campaign promise to maintain the French language health services provided to the people of Ontario. Tabling Bill 74 was a first step in that direction. Another key step forward would be to protect current designations under the FLSA and to further define the role of the French Language Health Planning Entities”, says Mr. Jolin. 
<a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2019/04/Mem-ProjetdeLoi74-Sant%C3%A9-20190301.pdf">Read the AFO’s brief in French.</a>

HEALTH CARE REFORM: THE AFO PRESENTS ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO FRENCH LANGUAGE HEALTH SERVICES

OTTAWA, March 5th, 2019 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) unequivocally supports the comprehensive and detailed proposal for a bill to modernize the Official Languages Act which was presented this morning by the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadiennes du Canada (FCFA). 
“As the saying goes, a language that won’t evolve won’t survive. I sincerely believe that this also applies to legislation governing language. The law needs to evolve to adapt to today’s realities, otherwise it becomes outdated,” said Carol Jolin, president of the AFO. 
The Official Languages Act needs to be modernized beyond the changes made in 1988 because it does not achieve all of the legislators’ goals. Modernization is the only way to solve the structural problem at the centre of almost all difficulties encountered with the Act. 
As things stand today, the lack of centralized coordination is a major flaw of the legislation, the conditionality of the Act hinders its implementation and the power to delegate undermines the notion of accountability. The AFO recommends that the Treasury Board have full responsibility and powers to ensure implementation of the Act. 
The AFO also believes that it is vital to integrate the concept of “by and for Francophones” in a modernized Official Languages Act. The Franco-Ontarian community has proven its capabilities in matters of governance, mobilization and implementation. The AFO therefore recommends that the Act include regulations defining situations where communities should be consulted. 
“The AFO will support the FCFA in promoting this bill and will work to make the modernization of the Official Languages Act an issue in the next federal elections,” said the AFO’s president, Carol Jolin. 
 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is the umbrella organisation and the political voice of Ontario’s Francophone community. Its mandate is to assist the Francophone community across the province in working together and to provide community representation, in particular to advocate for the rights of Ontario’s 744,000 Franco-Ontarian citizens.

The AFO supports the FCFA’s proposed modernization of the Official Languages Act

Ottawa, February 27, 2019 – With the introduction of Bill 74, The People’s Health Care Act, 2019, the Government of Ontario shows that it intends to keep its campaign promise to maintain the gains made by Francophones in the area of health care. 
○	The preamble to the Act explicitly states that the public health care system should respect the French Language Services Act. 
○	The French Language Health Services Advisory Council will remain in place. 
○	The French Language Health Planning Entities will remain in place; they are key to ensuring access to French language health care services. 
○	The French Language Services Act will apply to the Super Agency (Ontario Health). 
The president of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario, Carol Jolin, sees this bill as a step in the right direction. “Including the Francophone perspective at the very beginning of decision-making processes is not a matter of identity politics. It’s about ensuring the quality, safety and efficiency of health care services”, he said. “The efficiency of the health care system is maximized when French language health care services are taken into consideration, as recommended in our White Paper on health care.” 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario will continue to examine the bill with its members in the health care sector over the coming days to understand all of its ramifications. The AFO will submit a brief when the bill is discussed in committee and will ask to appear before the committee. There are still outstanding concerns. 
“There is still the question of maintaining the bilingual designation of health care organizations in the context of the upcoming consolidation. The government has assured us that the designations will remain in place after organizations are merged. We will continue to discuss these types of questions with the government,” said Mr. Jolin. 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is the umbrella organisation and the political voice of Ontario’s Francophone community. Its mandate is to assist the Francophone community across the province in working together and to provide community representation, in particular to advocate for the rights of Ontario’s 744,000 Franco-Ontarian citizens.

Health care reform: a step in the right direction!

Ottawa, February 26, 2019 – The AFO is pleased to announce a new service it now offers as part of the program Accroître la diversité (Increasing Diversity) established with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. 
This program has allowed the AFO to undertake a project supported by a ten-month grant of $74,700. The funds will be used to devise and test strategies for better representation of diversity within the boards of directors of Francophone organizations. By bringing people together to build inclusive and engaged communities, this initiative helps diverse groups collaborate to improve community life. The project will impact 1,000 people in the community. 
 »Congratulations to the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario for obtaining this grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Our Government for the people has made the commitment to continually support the Franco-Ontarian community and its culture », said Nina Tangri, Mississauga-Streetsville MPP 
“Thanks to this funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the AFO is able to provide more support to Francophone organizations and reinforce the services that their teams provide. The projects developed within this program will put new resources in place to improve the active offer of French language services within the network of Ontario’s Francophone organizations,” said Carol Jolin, president of the AFO. 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is the umbrella organisation and the political voice of Ontario’s Francophone community. Its mandate is to assist the Francophone community across the province in working together and to provide community representation, in particular to advocate for the rights of Ontario’s 742,000 Franco-Ontarian citizens.

The AFO offers a new program for Franco-Ontarian organizations

Published February 13, 2019 
TORONTO – Representatives from dozens of Francophone countries joined their voices to adopt a resolution denouncing the Ford government’s cuts to French language services. The President of the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, currently visiting Ontario, is leading the charge: Doug Ford’s position on Francophones should quickly do a 180-turn, he said. 
ÉTIENNE FORTIN-GAUTHIER 
efgauthier@tfo.org | @etiennefg 
« Francophones are an asset, not a cost or an inconvenience. Instead of trying to reduce their number, the focus should be on gaining from the French presence and pushing bilingualism forward,” said Philippe Courard, President of the Parliament of French Community of Belgium. 
Mr. Courard was in Ontario this week at the head of a mission of Belgian elected officials. “Francophones and Anglophones have to live together in balance,” he added, commenting the situation in Ontario. His point of view is informed by the political history of Belgium, which has seen many linguistic crises between the Dutch-speaking Flemish and the French-speaking Walloons. 
(photo) 
Philippe Courard, President of the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. 
Courtesy : Isopix/Frederic Sierakowski. Parliament of the Federation of Wallonia-Brussels. 
Courard recently welcomed dozens of elected officials from many countries who came to attend a meeting of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie in Brussels. These politicians from around the world adopted a motion that firmly condemns Doug Ford’s cuts to Francophone services and supports the Francophone opposition to these measures. 
________________________________________ 
Excerpt from the motion of the Assemblée parlementaire de la francophonie (our translation): 
The Office of Parliamentary Assembly RECOGNIZES the importance of protecting and preserving the rights of the Franco-Ontarian community and the historic struggles it has waged to foster its development, reinforce its vitality and ensure its survival and the survival of Canada’s Francophone community; DENOUNCES any action that adversely affects the rights and gains of a Francophone minority community; and AFFIRMS its solidarity and support to Franco-Ontarians in their struggle to protect their language and culture. 
________________________________________ 
The eyes of the French-speaking world are on Ontario, says Philippe Courard. The international Francophone community could not stay silent in the face of these moves, he said, and hopes that this declaration will carry weight. “We are trying to make Ontario realize that French is an opportunity. Openness to others cannot mean rejecting a language and a culture. Having a language that can build relationships with so many other countries is a privilege. To not reap its benefits would be a mistake. Ontario should use it like a force,” insists Courard. 
(photo) 
At the last meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie, Doug Ford’s cuts to Francophone services were denounced in a joint statement. Courtesy: Isopix/Frederic Sierakowski. Parliament of the Federation of Wallonia-Brussels. 
Knowing that Doug Ford’s government is focused on economic development, Courard shared his thoughts on the development of French in Ontario. “For those who see only the economic picture, I would say that having a shared language is vital to trade, to buying and selling. If Ontario wants to become less dependent on the United States, there are possibilities to be explored in Europe and Africa, where French is a key language for commerce,” he said. 
French is simply an extra advantage, says Courard. “It’s not a question of believing that French is better than English. Rather, it’s that no language should dictate over another language,” he added. 
________________________________________ 
BACKGROUND: 
Belgium had a university crisis as well 
On November 5, 1967, 30,000 Flemish Belgians marched in the streets of Antwerp to demand the departure of Francophone students in the university town of Leuven, situated in a Dutch-speaking area of the country. Their demand was for a unilingual Flemish region. The slogan Wallons dehors (Walloons Out) on their banners was a clear message to Francophones. It marked the country’s history forever. The bilingual university of Leuven was divided up during the year 1968 and a new Francophone university was created. It was established in a French speaking part of the country in a new town named Louvain-la-Neuve (New Leuven). 
(photo) 
Gilles Mouyard, a Belgian politician within the visiting Francophone delegation to Ontario, draws some parallels between the two crises, but also notes differences. “In our country, the Flemish are in the North, the Walloons are in the South. Here in Ontario, there are Francophones just about everywhere. That is an important difference,” he explains. 
“The Francophones had to leave Leuven and create their own university. The conflict was between linguistic communities. The Flemish were telling Francophones to go to their own area,” says Mouyard. “Our political crises have often stemmed from economic crises.” 
Étienne Fortin-Gauthier 
efgauthier@tfo.org @etiennefg 
Étienne Fortin-Gauthier is a journalist with ten years of experience. He has collaborated with many large Canadian and European media groups, including Canadian Press, the newspaper La Presse, Agence France-Presse and L’Avenir press group in Belgium. His interest for French-Canadian issues stems from his work at the Réseau francophone d’Amérique, which works closely with Francophone radio stations in minority communities. Étienne is a graduate of the Glendon School of Public and International Affairs in Toronto and the joint communications and political science program at the Université de Montréal. 
Source : https:///onfr.tfo.org/des-elus-de-la-francophonie-mondiale-sermonnent-doug-ford/?fbclid=IwAR0LVPpnjL1zET4IWcrRA1tBVu12UF8JDjar4Qjm5ciPxODdeFWBwBv32yo

Elected officials in the international Francosphere rebuke Doug Ford

Ottawa, February 14, 2019 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is optimistic about the Government of Ontario’s decision to undertake structural reform of the health care system because it provides an opportunity to improve access to French language services. 
Information obtained by the AFO leads the organization to believe that the Government of Ontario intends to respect the principle that Francophone citizens have the right to receive French language health care services. The AFO shared its position and its ideas with the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Christine Elliot, in a <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2019/02/Lettre-Christine-Elliott.pdf?utm_source=M%C3%A9dias+de+l%27Ontario+2.0&utm_campaign=6920ca4fc0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_04_30_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0a0c11082e-6920ca4fc0-181766969">letter that was made public</a> this morning. 
“Health care services in French are not a question of identity advocacy. Above all, it’s a question of equality, quality and safety of care for Francophone patients,” said AFO President Carol Jolin. 
In its letter, the AFO put forward five ideas that reflect the government’s goal to improve the quality, security and efficiency of the health care system. 
– Clarify in legal terms the mandate and the community governance of the Entities as equal partners with provincial, regional and local decision-making bodies, thereby making French language services more efficient. The healthcare system will gain from a legal framework for collaboration between the Entities and the Super Agency, the MyCare groups as well as regional institutions – as the latter two organizations are responsible for service delivery in the field. The Entities’ potential goes beyond consultation. They have proven themselves to be very efficient in their role. 
– The Government of Ontario has the opportunity to uphold its commitment to preserving the gains made by Francophones in health care by ensuring that organizations that provide French language services and are designated, or in the process of designation, will maintain their designation or continue to move forward in the designation process. 
– The digital shift presents huge opportunities for Francophones, because they often live in non-designated or isolated regions without access to the French language health care services or the specialized services they need. The AFO believes that the MHLTC and the MyCare groups, who would be responsible for digitizing, should support and fund innovative service delivery models, such as Telehealth. 
– The MHLTC has the opportunity to ensure that the super agency will include the Francophone perspective by naming two Francophone members to its board. 
– The Government of Ontario has the opportunity to continue its partnership with the AFO, which is invited to recommend two persons to be appointed to the French Language Health Services Advisory Council 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is the umbrella organisation and the political voice of Ontario’s Francophone community. Its mandate is to assist the Francophone community across the province in working together and to provide community representation, in particular to advocate for the rights of Ontario’s 744,000 Franco-Ontarian citizens.

Transforming Ontario’s health care system: an opportunity  to improve access to French language services

Ottawa, February 7, 2019 – Appearing before the Standing Committee on Official Languages, the deputy minister responsible for Francophone Affairs, Ms. Marie-Lison Fougère, and the deputy minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Mr. George Zegarac, confirmed that, to their knowledge, the decision to stop funding the Université de l’Ontario français (UOF) and the decision to transfer the Commissioner of French Language Services to the Office of the Ombudsman were not taken by their respective ministries and the university’s economic impact was not studied. 
“No one [within the government] disagrees with the fact that there is a real need” for post-secondary programs in the Toronto area, said Mr. Zegarac, adding that 110,000 students are registered in the French-language school system and 200,000 in immersion. 
The presentations by the two deputy ministers indicate that both decisions were taken without considering their impact on the Franco-Ontarian community and were made at a higher level of government. 
“The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) calls upon the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to begin discussions very soon to ensure the university’s long term durability and allow it to open its doors in September 2020. Both deputy ministers stated that the decision was purely financial and not in opposition to the Franco-Ontarian community,” said the AFO’s president, Carol Jolin. 
What have we learned? 
•	The deputy minister of Francophone Affairs was not consulted and did not take part in the decision to transfer the FLSC to the Office of the Ombudsman. 
•	The deputy minister of Francophone Affairs does not have access to documents that indicate savings resulting from the transfer of the FLSC to the Office of the Ombudsman. 
•	The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities was not informed of the decision to cut funding to the UOF before the government published its economic statement. 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is the umbrella organisation and the political voice of Ontario’s Francophone community. Its mandate is to assist the Francophone community across the province in working together and to provide community representation, in particular to advocate for the rights of Ontario’s 744,000 Franco-Ontarian citizens.

“Both governments really need to sit down and talk” ― Carol Jolin

Ottawa, January 30, 2019  – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is proud to announce the launch of <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/effet-multiplicateur/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Effet multiplicateur</a> (Multiplier Effect), a new program offering non-refundable financial assistance provided by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FEDDEV). This $1.2 million, three-year program targets the capacity for economic development within Franco-Ontarian businesses and organizations in eastern, central and southwestern Ontario. Non-refundable grants varying from $2,500 to $25,000 per year will be awarded to eligible businesses and community organizations. 
The program’s long term goal is to create or maintain jobs and to carry out more community and economic projects. “Reinforcing partnerships and establishing new collaborations promotes growth within Ontario’s Francophone community,” says Carol Jolin, president of the AFO. “This program offers a marvelous opportunity to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration in Franco-Ontarian businesses and organizations. It’s great news for Ontario’s French-speaking population.” 
Ottawa-Vanier Member of Parliament Mona Fortier agrees: “This funding will foster economic growth here in Ottawa and throughout Ontario by responding to the unique needs of Francophone communities. This project will foster economic development and diversification, attracting investors and creating good well-paying middle class jobs.” 
The funds provided by the federal government aim to stimulate the economic potential of Ontario’s Francophone community. In New-Brunswick, for example, a Conference Board of Canada study estimates that bilingualism generates $1.4 billion in export revenues. Ontario has three times as many Francophones and could bolster its economy by leveraging the potential of its 744,000 French-speaking citizens. “Mobilizing Ontario’s Francophone advantage means ensuring Ontario’s economic development,” said AFO president Carol Jolin. 
The AFO offers resources, such as an <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2019/01/Effet-Multiplicateur-Guide-du-demandeur-janvier-2019-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">application guide</a> and webinars, to help interested businesses and organizations submit a request for funding. To find out more about the Effet multiplicateur program or to submit an application, visit the website <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">monassemblee.ca</a>.

Government of Canada funding for Franco-Ontarian businesses and organizations

Ottawa, January 23, 2019 – Appearing before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) invited the government to leverage its Francophone advantage to diversify Ontario’s economy and to use the current period of review and creation of new programs to improve access to French language services. 
In his statement, the president of the AFO, Carol Jolin, made five recommendations regarding economic development by and through Ontario’s Francophone community, and the pursuit of sound fiscal health with respect to the French Language Services Act, French language health care services and the Université de l’Ontario français. 
“The economic future of our province depends in part on its capacity to leverage the advantage provided by its Francophone and bilingual population. Our neighbour to the south is our most important economic partner and that is normal, but Ontario can diversify its international trade through its 1.5 million citizens who have the ability to communicate in French,” said Mr. Jolin to the MLAs. 
“By adopting a Francophone perspective when reviewing and creating programs, there are excellent opportunities to improve the performance of French language services,” added Mr. Jolin. 
Among the ideas put forward by the organization representing 744,000 Franco-Ontarians, the AFO recommends devoting two full-time resources to work on matters related to the Organisation mondiale de la francophonie and establishing a financial framework to ensure the long term survival of the Université de l’Ontario français, reminding the committee that the federal government is interested in investing in the institution for the next four years. The AFO’s president also added that the committee will soon receive the AFO’s brief containing further ideas in the areas of justice and arts and culture. 
********** 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is the umbrella organization and the political voice of Ontario’s Francophone community. Its mandate is to assist the Francophone community across the province and to provide community representation, in particular to advocate for the rights of Franco-Ontarians. 
Recommendations 
Recommendations 1 and 2 
To ensure the Francophone community’s participation in the economy now and in the future: 
That the Government of Ontario dedicate two full-time resources to work in the area of the Organisation mondiale de la francophonie, in order to strengthen our economic ties with Francophone countries and create partnerships to increase the number of Francophone immigrants to Ontario. 
That the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade put forward initiatives to stimulate the growth of social enterprises, private businesses, cooperatives and entrepreneurship in the Franco-Ontarian community at the local, regional, provincial and international level. 
Recommendation 3 
To achieve fiscal balance with respect to the French Language Services Act: 
To fully abide by the French Language Services Act, that the Government of Ontario include the Francophone perspective as a basis of its review of public finances and its creation of new programs with a view to ensuring the durability of Franco-Ontarian institutions. 
Recommendation 4 
For a more effective French language university education system: 
That the Government of Ontario develop as quickly as possible a financial framework for the implementation of the Université de l’Ontario français, which could include a federal contribution covering the entirety of the institution’s next four years of operation, as well as private sector investments and others sources of funding. 
Recommendation 5 
To improve French language health care services 
That the Government of Ontario, in its proposal for structural reform of the health care system, maintain the objective of improving access to French language health care services by preserving community governance of the French Language Health Planning Entities and giving them a clear mandate and additional resources.

Ontario’s Francophones: partners in the province’s economic development

Ottawa, January 14, 2019 – The AFO thanks Canadian Heritage and the minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie for providing one year of funding in the amount of $1.9 million to the Université de l’Ontario français. These funds will allow the university to retain its personnel until January 2020.

“It is with a sense of relief that I welcome this temporary solution which allows the personnel of the Université de l’Ontario français to continue its work. We will continue to work with our partners within the governments of Canada and Ontario to find solutions to ensure the university’s long term survival. We invite the provincial government to submit to its federal counterpart a funding request for the first four years of the university’s operations, while the province puts its fiscal house in order. Solutions are at hand,” said the AFO’s president, Carol Jolin.

The announced funding is a welcome development, but it is only a stop-gap solution. A university cannot operate solely with short term funding. The AFO therefore invites the provincial government to use the coming weeks to prepare a request for funding from the government of Canada and to make its own financial commitment to the institution’s long term survival.

The funds have been provided through the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023: Investing in Our Future. They are aimed at preliminary work for the establishment of a Francophone knowledge and innovation hub in Toronto, a major component of the project.

The AFO commends the government of Canada for its leadership in ensuring  the short term survival of the Université de l’Ontario français!

Ottawa, January 9, 2019 – As provincial funding for the
Université de l’Ontario français is expected to end in six days, the Assemblée
de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) calls upon the Government of Ontario to
preserve this Franco-Ontarian institution.


In that
aim, the AFO urges the Government of Ontario to submit a request for funding to
the Government of Canada and to take measures to ensure the retention of the
university’s staff beyond January 15. After that date, as Carol Jolin, the
president of the AFO, explains in an informational video, “the Université de
l’Ontario français will be nothing more than a board of governors with no
employees or developers.” 


“We have
not received word that the province and the federal government have concluded
an agreement on the UOF,” said Mr. Jolin. “This is despite indications from the
Ministry of Canadian Heritage that funding is available for the first four
years of the university’s operations.”


In its
fiscal statement last November, the Government of Ontario announced its
intention to cease funding for the Université de l’Ontario français on January
15, 2019. The province’s French language educational continuum would therefore
remain incomplete because it does not extend beyond the college level.


Carol Jolin
also noted that the absence of a French language university is a contributing
factor to the assimilation of Ontario Francophones, especially in the
Central-Southwest region. “Unfortunately, the bilingual universities are not able
to guarantee French language education over the entire extent of a program,” he
explained. “That is why Ontario Francophones have been demanding a French
language university for over fifty years.”


The AFO encourages Ontarians to show their support for the University de l’Ontario français by becoming members of the “La Résistance” movement through the website <a href="http:///www.monassemblee.ca">www.monassemblee.ca</a>. Supporters can also help the cause of Ontario’s Francophones by making a donation.

Save Our University!

Ottawa, November 29, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) respects Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Amanda Simard’s decision to leave the Ontario Conservative party. Ms. Simard is a principled person who has a right to manage her political future. We thank her for being a friend of Ontario’s francophone community.

Statement from Carol Jolin regarding MPP Amanda Simard’s resignation from the Ontario PC party

Ottawa, December 14, 2018 – Following the passage of Bill 57 through the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is pleased to announce that it has retained the services of lawyers Ronald Caza of the firm Caza Saikaley and Mark Power of the firm Juristes Power Law. Their mandate will be to examine the possibility of requesting a judicial review to overturn the provincial government’s decision to end the funding of the Université de l’Ontario français on January 15. 
Moreover, the legal team will provide legal counsel regarding the new legislation which deprives the Office of French Language Services Commissioner of its independence by placing it under the supervision of the Ontario Ombudsman. 
Further information about this legal strategy will be unveiled in the coming weeks and months. 
“Today, the Université de l’Ontario français is celebrating its first anniversary, but unfortunately, it is also fighting for its survival. It is not too late to find a solution that would allow the institution to continue operating after January 15. The Government of Ontario must submit a funding request to the Government of Canada. This solution is beneficial for taxpayers and gives the province the opportunity to obtain 40 million dollars in federal funds,” said the president of the AFO, Carol Jolin. 
This morning, the president of the AFO sent a letter to all members of the Progressive-Conservative caucus to inform them about the discussions that the organization, which represents Ontario’s Francophone population, has had with the Government of Canada. 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario asks that the federal and provincial governments quickly come to an agreement to jointly fund the Université de l’Ontario français. The AFO is confident that the federal government will provide the funds for the university’s first four years of operation, thus giving the province time to get its financial house in order. “This solution lets all parties achieve their objectives and the Government of Canada has indicated that it is very open to the proposal,” Mr. Jolin added. 
As for mobilization efforts, actions are continuing. “La Résistance” has launched a campaign that asks members of the community to print Franco-Ontarian flags and La Résistance posters and display them in the windows of their homes and vehicles. The movement will also facilitate a campaign in which Franco-Ontarians are invited to send season’s greeting cards to their MPPs inviting them to make a new year’s resolution to preserve the Université de l’Ontario français and the independence of the French Language Services Commission. 
*************** 
Here is the letter 
Ottawa, December 14, 2018 
L’hon. Doug Ford 
Le député de Etobicoke-Nord 
Premier ministre 
823 Albion Road 
Etobicoke (Ontario) M9V 1A3 
Subject: Funding of the Université de l’Ontario français 
Dear Sir, 
Two weeks prior to the delivery of the Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement, the Progressive-Conservative Party of Ontario received a standing ovation from 300 leaders of Ontario’s Francophone community at the annual gala of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO). It was only a few weeks after the motion to include the linguistic variable in the Health Card had passed. At that time, the message was clear: the battle to save Hôpital Montfort was a thing of the past; the Franco-Ontarian community extended an outstretched hand and was ready to partner with this government. For our organization, this gesture was a major development: after many years of effort, we had re-established ties with the Progressive-Conservative Party of Ontario. 
Two weeks later, our community’s faith was sorely tested. In a move that has set off the biggest language crisis in the country since the Hôpital Montfort saga, the Government of Ontario broke its promise and announced that funding for the Université de l’Ontario français (UOF) would end on January 15, 2019. In addition, the government infringed upon the independence of the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario by demoting the position to that of an “employee” of the Ombudsman. 
Our institutions are essential to the vitality and sustainability of our community, as they are for all official language minority communities across the country. The Franco-Ontarian community realizes that it must tighten its belt, like the rest of society. But we believe it can be done without attacking our institutions. 
Premier Doug Ford defends these cuts as necessary to address the province’s financial situation. For the Université de l’Ontario français (UOF), the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) has identified a solution that allows both the government and the community to achieve their respective goals. The report that led to the creation of the UOF as a legal entity includes a recommendation that the federal government provide 50% of the necessary funding for the institution’s first eight years. The AFO has discussed this question with the Government of Canada and federal political parties. The measure has precedents: the establishment of our two college institutions, La Cité and Collège Boréal, was achieved with federal support. 
The Government of Canada has given us a clear response and has also stated publicly that it has set aside funds in its Action Plan for Official Languages to respond to a request for funding by the Government of Ontario to implement the UOF. The federal government is willing to invest half of the funds required to operate the institution over the next eight years. 
Moreover, the Government of Canada has assured us that it is willing to remit the entirety of these funds over the course of the university’s first four years of operation. Therefore, the Government of Ontario would begin to provide its share of the funding only five years from now. Considering that the Government of Ontario’s mandate is to eliminate the province’s deficit before the next provincial elections, this measure means it could reap the benefits of a major investment of federal funds, keep the promise it made to Ontario’s Francophones and Francophiles, and gain room to manoeuvre in its efforts to reduce the province’s deficit during its current mandate. 
The AFO therefore asks the Government of Ontario and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to move quickly to submit a request for funding to the Government of Canada in order to save the Université de l’Ontario français. To both the Government and the Ministry, we have provided all of the information needed to submit this request. 
Regarding the French Language Services Commissioner, the Government of Ontario has produced no firm proof to justify cutting this service. All of the Commission’s employees have been transferred to the Ombudsman’s office and a non-independent position of assistant ombudsman has been created. This reorganization delivers no significant savings. 
Five years ago, the PC Party voted in favor of the Commissioner’s independent status. Why has the office of Commissioner been stripped of its independence without prior consultation with the Franco-Ontarian community? 
On December 1st of this year, close to 15,000 people took part in demonstrations held across the province to voice their disapproval and consternation following these cuts to our institutions. We received the support of federal political parties, including the Conservative Party of Canada, and they believe that federal support is desirable and necessary. Other voices joined with theirs, including the Government of Québec and associations representing Québec’s Anglophone population. The opposition parties at Queen’s Park support the UOF, and editorials in many daily English-language newspapers, including the Toronto Sun, the Toronto Star, the Ottawa Citizen and the Montreal Gazette, have expressed support as well. Even international media have echoed the cause of protecting French language services in Ontario. 
The Franco-Ontarian community has sought solutions and has found them. Now, the ball is in your government’s court. Will you support us? 
In coming days, Ontario’s Francophones and Francophiles will be sending you season’s greeting cards wishing you a happy new year. Our hope is clear: we need our French language university, Ontario’s first-ever university governed “by and for” its French-speaking community. 
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I wish you happy holidays and a happy new year in 2019. 
Sincerely, 
The President, 
Carol Jolin

On the first anniversary of the Université de l’Ontario français, the AFO announces that it has hired its legal team

Ottawa, December 10, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is honoured to receive the Rosa Parks 105th Anniversary Award, presented today at the Centennial of Nelson Mandela Symposium on Living Together and Peace, organized by the Union des Africains du Québec et Amis solidaires de L’Afrique (UAQASA – Union of Québec Africans and Friends in Solidarity with Africa). 
The AFO is privileged to be a part of this event, which salutes many brave men and women who put their heart and soul into the battle to protect human rights, each in their own area of activity. 
“The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario is honoured to receive the Rosa Parks 105th Anniversary Award, which commemorates a leader who showed great courage in the fight to ensure respect for rights, justice and equality,” declared the AFO’s president, Carol Jolin. 
This award comes at a significant time. The AFO is currently confronting a situation of injustice, as the Government of Ontario has recently deprived the Office of the French Language Services Commission of its independence by placing it under the mantle of the Ontario Ombudsman. Moreover, funding for the Université de l’Ontario français will end on January 15. This threatens the very existence of this post-secondary institution, which is the only university in Ontario that is governed by and for Francophones. 
Like Rosa Parks and Nelson Mandela, Franco-Ontarians are fighting for the respect and preservation of their rights – linguistic rights, in this case – in Canada, a country in which they are a founding nation. 
The AFO hopes that this award will encourage the Government of Ontario to recognize the importance of respecting and strengthening the freedom of Ontario’s Francophones to speak their language, to be educated and to live their lives in French.

The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario is honoured to receive the Rosa Parks 105th Anniversary Award

Ottawa, December 6 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario is deeply troubled and disappointed by the passage of Bill 57 in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Despite demonstrations held across the province and thousands of calls made to provincial MLAs, the voice of Ontario’s Francophones has been ignored. 
“It is simply unbelievable that in 2018, we still have to combat a government that is attacking our institutions in this manner. The AFO will take all necessary measures to protect our language rights and the community will support us in this battle. We will fight back!” said Carol Jolin, president of the AFO. 
The French Language Services Commissioner will cease to be an independent office as of May 1, 2019. Thereafter, the Commissioner’s powers will be exercised “subject to the direction of the Ombudsman” and the Commissioner will be an “employee” of the Ombudsman’s office. Since 2013, the Commissioner had been totally independent and reported only to the Legislative Assembly. 
Now that the bill has passed, the AFO and its legal advisers are exploring avenues to maintain the independence of the Commissioner’s office. 
Bill 57 makes no mention of the Université de l’Ontario français. The AFO continues to monitor this issue closely.

The AFO is troubled and disappointed by Bill 57’s  infringement on the rights of Francophones

Ottawa, December 4, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) appeared before the Standing Committee on Official Languages in Ottawa this morning and before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario yesterday afternoon. To both these committees, Carol Jolin, president of the AFO, presented the Francophone community’s position on the provincial government’s proposals to cut French language services. 
These cuts constitute a rollback of Francophone minority rights. 
Firstly, eliminating the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner and having the provincial Ombudsman supervise its functions would impair the independence of the institution. Also, the fiscal justification for this measure is baseless, because cutting these services would contribute nothing to the government’s efforts to balance the province’s finances. 
Secondly, regarding funding for the Université de l’Ontario français, the federal government has clearly stated that it is ready to receive a request for funding from the Government of Ontario so that the institution can open its doors in 2020 as planned. 
“The AFO sees the investment of federal funds as a winning solution for both the provincial and the federal governments,” said Carol Jolin, president of the AFO. “We would welcome a political solution to avoid the irreparable harm that the province’s proposed cuts would inflict.” 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario assured the two committees that it is ready to work with both levels of government to facilitate a funding agreement.

The federal and provincial governments need to work together to protect French language services in Ontario, says the AFO

Ottawa, December 1, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is moved by the strength, unity, determination and indignation that Ontarians have displayed today. More than 14 326 people across the province took to the streets to denounce the injustice of provincial funding cuts that aim to eliminate the Université de l’Ontario français and the office of the French Language Services Commissioner. Demonstrations were also held in 9 other provinces. 
As they did in the past to oppose Regulation 17 – which prohibited French education in Ontario schools – and to save the Montfort Hospital from closure, Franco-Ontarians are rising up against the provincial government’s cuts to French language services and in support of minority language rights. 
“Mr. Ford, stop treating Ontario’s French-speaking citizens like they are a burden!” exclaimed Carol Jolin, president of the AFO, to a gathering of 5,000 people in front of the Human Rights Monument in Ottawa. “Real people told you that they want their Commissioner and their francophone University. Why are you not listening? You promised to maintain our French-language University during the election. Promise made, promise broken. You need to keep your promises Mr. Ford!” 
Public figures, politicians, community leaders and artists spoke out in over 40 rallying locations to affirm that Canada has two official languages and that Franco-Ontarians must receive equal treatment as an official-language community. Many speakers emphasized that Ontario’s Francophones have had to fight in the past and will continue their fight today. All they ask is for their rights to be respected, their status recognized and their hard-won gains preserved. 
Carol Jolin sees flagrant disrespect in the premier of Ontario’s decision to abolish two institutions that are vital to the survival of the French language in Ontario. “We cannot accept fiscal arguments and short-sightedness as excuses to deprive us of our institutions.” 
Canadians everywhere are showing national solidarity with Ontario’s francophones and donations are pouring in from across the country. Currently, the AFO’s “La Résistance” movement has raised 55000$ for the campaign to preserve the Université de l’Ontario français and the office of the French Language Services Commissioner and 15370 persons have rallied to the cause by becoming members of “La Résistance.” 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is the umbrella organisation and the political voice of Ontario’s Francophone community. Its mandate is to assist the Francophone community across the province in working together and to provide community representation, in particular to advocate for the rights of Ontario’s 742,000 Franco-Ontarian citizens.

“We are totally determined to defend our rights !”

Ottawa, November 29, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is extremely disappointed following its meeting today with Ontario Premier Doug Ford. 
In light of the situation that Ontario’s Francophones are currently facing, the AFO met with Premier Doug Ford to discuss his government’s decision to do away with the position of French Language Services Commissioner and the opening of the Université de l’Ontario français in 2020. 
“We were hoping that the provincial government had reconsidered its decision. That didn’t happen,” said Carol Jolin, president of the AFO. “Instead, we saw a premier who does not take into account the concerns of Ontario’s Francophone minority, which represents 4.7% of the province’s population, not 3% as he claimed. We will therefore continue our efforts to resist against the injustice we are facing”, concluded Carol Jolin, the AFO’s president. 
The watchword is clear. The AFO and the community will continue the fight to ensure that the rights of Franco-Ontarians are respected. At this point, more than 6,000 participants are expected in demonstrations to be held at 40 rallying points throughout the province on Saturday, December 1. Civic mobilization has now become national in scope, as 9 provinces and territories will join in our action on November 30 and December 1 and 2. 
Together, we will defend the rights for which our forebears fought so hard. Our rights are the promise of our survival. Nous sommes, nous serons: we are and will remain Franco-Ontarian.

The Government of Ontario turns a deaf ear  to the Franco-Ontarian community

Ottawa, November 29, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) commends the leaders of federal political parties for their attention to the Government of Ontario’s proposed cuts to the Université de l’Ontario français and the French Language Services Commissioner. The federal leaders have good reason to be concerned about these measures targeting Ontario’s Francophone community because they could have a major impact on minority language communities elsewhere in the country. 
“Official language minority communities across Canada are asking us to stand strong and not give up our hard-won rights,” said Carol Jolin, president of the AFO. “When the rights of Francophones in Ontario – the province with the largest number of Francophones after Québec – are denied, the rights of all official language minorities in Canada are threatened.” 
The issue’s profile is growing across the country. Demonstrations to stand in solidarity with Ontario’s Francophones are being organized in several Canadian provinces and territories. 
Franco-Ontarians will be out in large numbers on December 1st to make their disapproval of the Government of Ontario’s decisions loud and clear. Forty rallying points have been identified. More than 2,000 people have already registered for a demonstration to be held in front of the Human Rights Monument in downtown Ottawa. Mélanie Joly, federal Minister of La Francophonie, will be in attendance at this event.

The federal government must play a leadership role

The Government of Ontario turns a deaf ear to the Franco-Ontarian community

Ottawa, November 27, 2018 – The Ontario Ombudsman, Paul Dubé, has confirmed the concerns of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) regarding the elimination of the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner. 
In a report broadcast yesterday on radio-canada.ca, Dubé acknowledged that he cannot act as an advocate for Ontario’s Francophones within the government apparatus. 
“The role of the ombudsman is to handle complaints from the public,” explains Carol Jolin, the president of AFO, “but he cannot on his own initiative undertake an investigation or meet with elected officials and public servants to promote his recommendations to them.” 
Regarding the elimination of the Université de l’Ontario project, Mr. Dubé explained that it is not his role to intervene. “Governments are elected to make political decisions,” he said. “We work on the basis of existing legislation in pursuing our efforts to improve governance in Ontario.” [our translation] 
In contrast, the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario is an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly and reports directly to it. The Commissioner ensures that the rights of Ontario citizens and the obligations of government and government agencies are respected according to the French Language Services Act. The Commissioner makes recommendations for improving the delivery of services in French and monitors progress. In executing his mandate, the Commissioner conducts independent investigations following complaints or on his own initiative, prepares reports and advises the government, government agencies and MPPs to promote compliance with the Act. 
“Evidently, the Ombudsman cannot defend the rights and interests of Ontario’s Francophone community to the same extent as the French Language Services Commissioner,” concludes Carol Jolin. “The roles and the influence of these two positions within the government are simply not equivalent.” 
The AFO invites all Franco-Ontarians to voice their opposition to the provincial government’s proposed cuts by taking part in one of the 40 demonstrations to be held throughout Ontario on Saturday, December 1st. For further information, visit <a href="http:///www.monassembee.ca">www.monassembee.ca</a>.
-30-

The Ontario Ombudsman cannot fully defend  the interests of the province’s Francophones

Ottawa, November 23rd, 2018 – L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is astonished by the proposal made today by the Government of Ontario. 
AFO has received a clear mandate from the Franco-Ontarian community: complete restoration of the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner and of the Université de l’Ontario français. Nothing less. 
AFO would like to thank Minister Caroline Mulroney for showing openness to dialogue. We would have preferred being consulted ahead of the decision to axe the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner and the French language university. 
Over the past week, Francophones all over Ontario have been coming together to oppose the cuts. We’ve received support from numerous leaders from across the country – Francophones and non-Francophones alike. Francophone communities across the country are joining our cause every day. 
We’d like to thank Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Amanda Simard for her unwavering support to our community, her community. 
AFO encourages francophones and francophiles from Ontario and elsewhere to join #LaRésistance and support us in order to reverse the province’s decision to abolish the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner and the Université de l’Ontario français. 
More than 40 demonstrations are planned everywhere in Ontario on December 1st. AFO invites everyone to take part, to make a financial contribution on the monassemblee.ca website and to mobilize family, friends, allies and communities. 
Our community’s motto is “Nous sommes, nous serons”: We Are and Will Remain. #RespectFranco

AFO is astonished…but open to dialogue

Ottawa, November 22, 2018 – The Government of Ontario must reinstate the French Language Services Commission and support the Université de l’Ontario français, Ontario’s French language university. That is the message sent out by the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) in response to announcements made by Premier Doug Ford in the provincial government’s Economic Statement. 
The Assemblée reminds the Premier that during the election campaign, he promised to carry out the French language university project and that promise was reiterated by Caroline Mulroney, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. Promise made. Promise not kept. 
French is one of Canada’s two official languages. Franco-Ontarians have helped to build this country and the gains made by the Francophone community must be preserved. The AFO will to see to it. 
The AFO is open to discussion and therefore wishes to meet with the Premier. “ It’s not too late to reverse course. It’s not too late to listen to Ontario’s Francophone citizens. It’s not too late for the Government of Ontario to resume its role as a partner and a leader in Francophone affairs, ” said Carol Jolin, the president of the AFO. 
However, if the government refuses to reverse its decision to abolish the French Language Services Commission and the Université de l’Ontario français, legal recourse is not out of the question. 
The Franco-Ontarian community is strong, united and vibrant. The AFO’s responsibility toward Ontario’s Francophones is to preserve the community’s gains, to ensure the future of the French language in Ontario and to defend the rights of Ontario’s Francophone citizens. 
The AFO encourages Francophones and Francophiles in Ontario and across Canada to join #LaRésistance, to make a financial contribution and to take part in demonstrations to be held across the province on December 1st. 
Our community’s motto is “Nous sommes, nous serons”: we are and will remain.

The Government of Ontario must reverse its decision

Toronto, November 16, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) considers the content of the Government of Ontario’s Economic and Fiscal Review to be unacceptable due to the particularly negative impact it will have on the Franco-Ontarian community. 
The AFO was ready to accept that the Franco-Ontarian community should carry its fair share of efforts to achieve fiscal balance. However, withdrawing the Université de l’Ontario français project and transferring the responsibilities of the French Language Services Commission to the Ontario Ombudsman are inordinate and extreme measures that will undermine the survival and development of Ontario’s Francophone community. 
“During the Progressive-Conservative Party’s leadership campaign, we heard Mr. Ford commit to the Université de l’Ontario français project and that promise was made again during the election campaign. After the election, both the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs formally stated their commitment to continuing this project, which is highly important for Ontario’s Francophone community, especially in the central-southwest region. It is very disappointing that this major commitment is being broken.” said the AFO’s president, Carol Jolin. 
“As for the French Language Services Commissioner, we have legitimate reasons to fear that Ontario’s French Language Services Act will become progressively less important for the Government of Ontario and its various agencies, and will greatly affect services in French. ” added Mr. Jolin. 
The AFO requests an emergency meeting with Premier Doug Ford to present the position of the Franco-Ontarian community and to ask that these decisions be reversed. 
-30- 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is the umbrella organisation and the political voice of Ontario’s Francophone community. Its mandate is to assist the Francophone community across the province in working together and to provide community representation, in particular to advocate for the rights of Ontario’s 742,000 Franco-Ontarian citizens.

A Major Setback and a Bitter Disappointment  for Ontario’s Francophone Community

Ottawa, September 27, 2018 – “The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario wishes to express solidarity with its Acadian brothers and sisters following the recent electoral campaign in New Brunswick. 
Fifty years after the adoption of the Official Languages Act, we remind the decision-makers of Canada’s only officially bilingual province that bilingualism is a central value for Canada and New-Brunswick. It is a part of the social contract on which our country is based. Our two official languages, whether you speak only one or both of them, belong to all Canadians. They are both of huge historic, economic, cultural and social importance. 
In this day and age, none of us, Anglophones, Francophones, Francophiles or Allophones, are the heirs of Lord Durham’s long-outdated views on language. I encourage Ontarians of all linguistic backgrounds to support our Acadian and Francophile friends in New Brunswick and the Société de l’Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick, and I encourage New-Brunswick’s two major political parties to have no association with a political party that is fundamentally opposed to linguistic duality,” declared the president of the AFO, Carol Jolin.

Declaration by Carol Jolin following the election in New-Brunswick

Ottawa, July 18, 2018 – “The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) would like to congratulate The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez on becoming the new Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, and The Honourable Mélanie Joly on becoming the new Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie. 
The AFO is pleased that there is now a minister in charge of official languages and la Francophonie. This change is promising for the development of francophone communities all across Canada, and especially in the provinces and territories where francophones are a minority. 
We will know more about the tasks assigned to both ministers once their mandate letters are published. The AFO is particularly interested in hearing more about the implementation of the Action Plan for Official Languages,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO.

Carol Jolin’s statement on the federal cabinet shuffle

Ottawa, July 18, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) agrees with the recommendations proposed in the French Language Services Commissioner’s annual report Looking Ahead, Getting Ready. The report warns that the proportion of francophones in the province will continue to decrease over the next few years if the status quo does not change. The AFO fully agrees that an “action plan on the development of Francophone communities and the promotion of the French language in Ontario” needs to be put in place to implement the recommendations from the annual report and avoid the demographic decline of francophones in Ontario. 
The report contains 14 recommendations regarding immigration, employment, French-language media, digital strategies and an aging population. It also argues that Ontario needs to take advantage of opportunities that are already available, such as its status as an observer within the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF). The province should also increase francophone immigration to strengthen the Franco-Ontarian community. 
“The demographic decline of francophones and the fact that they are not distributed evenly across the province is nothing new. However, as the Commissioner François Boileau put it, the time to act is now. The AFO supports these 14 recommendations, many of which have been included in our own white papers. We hope that the new government will act now and implement strategies to help strengthen the Franco-Ontarian community,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO.

Actions speak louder than words: why the recommendations of the French Language Services Commissioner need to be implemented

Toronto, July 12, 2018 – The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Her Honour the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, delivered the Speech from the Throne this afternoon at Queen’s Park. The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is deeply disappointed that the new government did not mention any Franco-Ontarian projects during the speech, especially since the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario made specific promises during the electoral campaign concerning the Université de l’Ontario français, the overhaul of the French Language Services Act and investments in French-language health care. 
“This speech, which was delivered entirely in English, is the government’s way of saying that it still needs to be made aware of and advised about the issues that affect our community. Ontario’s 622 340 francophones have high expectations. The AFO will be meeting with the ministers that are involved in these key projects as soon as possible in order to make sure that work goes ahead,” said Carol Jolin, the president of the AFO. 
The government announced that it will be prioritizing economic development in Ontario. The AFO, along with its partners, will be consulting the Franco-Ontarian business community to make sure that it is well informed on this topic. 
“Ontario recently became an observer state of the International Organization of La Francophonie. We need to seize the international trade opportunities that might arise, and we can’t do that without the Ontario Government’s support. Doing business with francophone countries will help Canada become less economically dependant on the United States. Making changes won’t be easy — the Ontario Government and Franco-Ontarians need to work together,” Jolin added.

The Speech from the Throne:  No mention of Franco-Ontarian projects

Ottawa, June 29, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) welcomes The Honourable Caroline Mulroney’s nomination to the position of Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. The AFO would also like to congratulate the other 20 Ministers who were nominated and sworn in to the Executive Council of Ontario today. 
Francophone Affairs plays an important role in the Franco-Ontarian community by advocating for and improving access to government services in French. 
“We thank the Premier of Ontario for this excellent recommendation. We have already met Caroline Mulroney on two occasions, and these honest and engaging conversations have made it clear that she is cares deeply about Ontario’s Francophonie. We are happy that she will be playing a key role in the new government and we look forward to pursuing our <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2016/09/PSC_Brochure_ENG_WEB.pdf">Strategic Plan for Ontario’s Francophone Community: “Vision 2025 – Building Our Future Together”</a>. 
“The Franco-Ontarian community spent many years advocating for the creation of an independent Ministry of Francophone Affairs. We will be discussing this issue with Caroline Mulroney and we will do everything in our power to make sure Francophone Affairs becomes an autonomous ministry once again. The AFO sees this as a step backwards that could threaten economic rapprochement with member countries of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, of which Ontario is an observer state. We will also continue to raise the provincial government’s awareness of francophone issues,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO. 
The AFO will be requesting a meeting with the new Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs in order to establish a dialogue on current issues and discuss the setback that was announced today. 
The AFO will also be organizing meetings with other Ministers who could have an impact on the prosperity of French in Ontario.

Doug Ford’s new cabinet: The AFO is happy about Caroline Mulroney’s nomination but worried about her Ministry

Ottawa, June 7, 2018 – “On behalf of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) and the 622 340 francophones it represents, I would like to congratulate Ontario‘s Premier-elect Doug Ford and the other 123 newly elected MPs. I wish to remind the government that 1.5 million Ontarians, more than 10% of the population, speak French and that the French language plays an important role in Ontario. 
“The AFO expects to continue our work on the Université de l’Ontario francais, francophone immigration and the modernization of the French Language Services Act. We will be organizing a meeting with the Premier-elect to develop a work plan that will enable francophones to fulfill the goals they set for themselves in <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2016/09/PSC_Brochure_ENG_WEB.pdf">Vision 2025: A Strategic Plan for Ontario’s Francophone Community.</a> 
“The AFO would also like to congratulate Kathleen Wynne, Andrea Horwath and Mike Schreiner on their electoral campaigns and thank all candidates who ran in this electoral campaign. 
“We are happy to note that many Franco-Ontarians and francophiles have become members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. I invite the three parties to work together to help support and develop Ontario’s Francophonie. 
“Finally, we would like to thank outgoing Premier Kathleen Wynne and her government for all the work they have done on behalf of Ontario’s francophone community over the last 15 years. Furthermore, I would also like to thank Marie-France Lalonde for the numerous projects that were advanced under her leadership as Minister of Francophone Affairs,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO.

Carol Jolin’s statement on Ontario’s 42nd general election

Ottawa, May 29, 2018 – Tonight, three candidates in the June 7 provincial elections will take part in a televised debate in French. The candidates are Marie-France Lalonde (Liberal Party), Gila Martow (Progressive Conservative Party) and Gilles Bisson (New Democratic Party). This debate was organized by Radio-Canada, TFO and a consortium of seven Franco-Ontarian newspapers and five Franco-Ontarian community radio stations. 
The Franco-Ontarian community hopes that francophone issues will be at the heart of the debate and the elections. It expects clear commitments from all parties regarding:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">the Université de l’Ontario français and post-secondary education in French;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">an updated version of the French Language Services Act;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">bilingualism in Ontario; and</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">development strategies for the Franco-Ontarian community (improving French-language healthcare services, francophone immigration, equity, etc.).</li>
</ul>
“The parties have already commented on these issues via a survey that was sent to them by the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario. Their answers were published by the AFO last week. It’s important that all parties in Ontario clearly express their positions and commitments regarding these issues. There are 622 340 francophones in Ontario, and they have significant political clout. I encourage each and every one of them to go vote and familiarize candidates in all ridings with the issues that touch the Francophonie of Ontario,” said Carol Jolin, President of the AFO.

A debate the Franco-Ontarian community has been waiting for

Ottawa, May 28, 2018 – The Table postsecondaire de l’Ontario français* [Franco-Ontarian Post-secondary Workgroup], coordinated by the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO), held a press conference today on French-language education. Their message was clear: Ontario’s francophone and bilingual colleges and universities need help expanding their French-language programs. 
The Table postsecondaire de l’Ontario français acknowledges and supports the government’s efforts to create the Université de l’Ontario français. However, other francophone and bilingual institutions across the province are in urgent need of help: university funding has been frozen for 10 years, and college funding is in decline. Such conditions make it almost impossible for these institutions to provide the same quality of education as English-language institutions, let alone expand their (French-language) programs. 
“Post-secondary education in French is a priority for the Franco-Ontarian community. This wish is clearly expressed in the <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2016/09/PSC_Brochure_ENG_WEB.pdf">Community Strategic Plan: Vision 2025</a>. Francophones have the right to study in their own language. The Université de l’Ontario français is being developed as we speak, but it isn’t enough. We ask all Premier of Ontario candidates to announce their plans regarding bilingual universities and francophone colleges. The need is great, and the time to act is now!”, says Carol Jolin, President of the AFO. 
“Ontario’s seven francophone and bilingual universities are crucial for francophone communities. Proper funding would allow these institutions to maintain current programs, which are under threat due to the 10-year funding freeze, and to offer new programs in developing fields across the province. The Francophonie is growing worldwide — Ontario and young Franco-Ontarians stand to benefit greatly from provincial investment in a bilingual workforce,” says Pierre Zundel, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University 
“If French-language colleges want to stay competitive and increase francophone enrollment, they need to be able to offer a modern learning experience focused on developing professional and technical skills. This is the only way to attract students and guarantee their success in the job market. We need more provincial funding to support and expand high-quality French-language education that will prepare students for the ever-changing job market,” says Lise Bourgeois, president of La Cité College. 
Quick Facts
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Since 2009, the Ontario Government has allocated Cad$34 444 237 annually in baseline funding to French-language education at bilingual universities.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Since 2009, the Ontario Government has frozen investments in francophone colleges. In 2009-2010, the provincial government invested Cad$2 814 per student. That number has now fallen to Cad$2 400 per student.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">According to data from the Bank of Canada, inflation increased by an average of 1.5% a year from 2009 to 2017 inclusive (13.5% in total).</li>
</ol>
*The Table postsecondaire de l’Ontario français consists of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) and Ontario’s francophone and bilingual post-secondary institutions. These include Collège Boréal, La Cité College, Dominican University College, Laurentian University, the Université de Hearst, the University of Ottawa, York University’s Glendon Campus, Saint Paul University and the University of Sudbury.

It’s time to reinvest in Ontario’s francophone and bilingual post-secondary institutions

Ottawa, May 24, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) recently asked Premier of Ontario candidates from the Liberal Party, Progressive Conservative Party and New Democratic Party to fill out a survey regarding their positions on francophone issues. Their responses have been received and are now <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2018/05/Formulaire-Election2018-20180214-1.pdf">available on the AFO’s website</a>. 
The candidates were given just over three weeks to respond to 14 questions, which addressed issues such as the Université de l’Ontario francais, the improvement of French-language government services and provincial bilingualism. 
The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario, the uniting organization and the political voice of Francophonie in Ontario, conducts this survey during every general election. 
“We are happy to say that, for the first time, all three parties have completed our survey. It is crucial for Franco-Ontarians to understand the positions of potential Premiers of Ontario regarding francophone issues. The survey is part of a larger campaign to raise awareness called #MonVoteFranco that the AFO launched a few days ago,” said Carol Jolin, President of the AFO.

Ontario’s three main parties have made statements regarding Ontario’s Francophonie

Ottawa, May 23, 2018 – The Franco-Ontarian community expects significant commitments regarding French language healthcare from the leaders and candidates in the upcoming provincial election. The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario published this message via a <a href="https:///youtu.be/Pqwi-uHjOCw">short video</a> on social media to announce the updated <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2016/04/livre-blanc-sante-enFINAL2.pdf">White Paper on French Language Health Care in Ontario</a>, which was originally published in 2014. 
The full White Paper will be published soon. In the meantime, the AFO is issuing four initial recommendations to candidates. 
The AFO recommends that the Ontario Government:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">include the linguistic variable “francophone” in all funded research activities and integrate a representative sample of the francophone minority;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">develop a francophone strategy and action plan for mental health, long-term care and primary care;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">support the creation of francophone service models by building multi-service hubs and community health centres; and</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">require an active offer policy from health service providers and support mandatory active offer training for all healthcare personnel and trainees.</li>
</ul>
An <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2018/05/Livre-blanc-Sant%C3%A9-2018-05-08-EXTRAIT-1.pdf">excerpt from the updated White Paper</a> containing the four recommendations above is available on the AFO website. 
“Insisting on access to health services in French isn’t trivial identity politics. It’s a question of equity, quality and safety for patients more than anything else. The Ontario Government must incorporate the francophone perspective into all aspects of healthcare policy and take real steps to make sure Franco-Ontarians receive equal treatment,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO.

To the future government of Ontario: include francophones in healthcare policy development!

Ottawa, May 16, 2018 – The next government in Ontario needs to put its francophone advantage to good use by diversifying the economy. This was the message issued by the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) following the results of a study led by the <a href="https:///www.conferenceboard.ca/about-cboc/default.aspx">Conference Board of Canada</a> and sponsored by the AFO called<a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2018/05/Rapport-bilinguisme-conference-board-Version-anglophone.pdf"> Ontario, Trade and the Advantages of English-French Bilingualism</a>. 
The study examines the connection between bilingualism and Ontario’s international trade in goods. The study shows that 83% of all provincial international trade in goods is conducted with the United States. This demonstrates clearly that having a common language (in this case, English) facilitates trade between countries. Since Ontario has a high level of bilingualism (1.5 million Ontarians speak French), the province could benefit from conducting more trade with other francophone countries. This would also help remedy an overdependence on the American economy. 
The Conference Board believes that Ontario’s high level of bilingualism has resulted in significant additional revenue from trade with other francophone countries: CAD 58 million in exports and CAD 1.4 billion in imports. Other, more monolingual regions such as the western provinces and Newfoundland and Labrador do not have access to this revenue due to their low bilingualism. 
“We ask all candidates and party leaders to share their visions and plans regarding this opportunity to diversify international trade. A strong Franco-Ontarian community means a strong Ontario. Speaking French opens doors to new international markets. The province needs to continue taking advantage of this opportunity and become more involved in the International Organization of La Francophonie,” said Carol Jolin, president of the AFO. 
“The Société Économique de l’Ontario (SÉO), which co-chairs the economic workgroup in collaboration with the Conseil de la Coopération de l’Ontario (CCO), thanks the AFO and the Conference Board of Canada for helping make this study possible. It is vital to have reliable data. This study is the first of its kind, but others will be necessary to measure the impact of francophone economic sectors within Ontario’s economy and demonstrate the economic potential of francophone Ontario. It is imperative that we increase trade not only with other francophone countries, but also within the Canadian francophone economy,” said Denis Laframboise, president of the SÉO. 
“There is still not enough reliable data to accurately quantify the contributions of Franco-Ontarian communities to Ontario’s economy. A more in-depth study must be conducted in order to measure more precisely the economic weight of francophone and bilingual communities in Ontario. Furthermore, we urge the next government to seize this opportunity to diversify the economy and build trade links between Ontario and international francophone organizations. Franco-ontarian communities have proven themselves to be pioneers in judicious, cooperative and social economic development. This is an opportune moment for us to position ourselves on the national and global stage,” added Luc Morin, the executive director of the CCO.This study was made possible by financial support from <a href="https:///www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development.html">Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada</a> and in collaboration with the economic workgroup, a group headed by the AFO and whose members include the <a href="http:///www.seo-ont.ca/en/home/">Société Économique de l’Ontario</a>, the <a href="http:///ucfo.ca/">Union des cultivateurs francophones de l’Ontario</a>, the <a href="https:///allianceculturelle.org/">Alliance culturelle de l’Ontario</a>, the <a href="https:///www.cco.coop/">Conseil de la Coopération de l’Ontario</a>, the <a href="http:///fondationfranco-ontarienne.ca/">Fondation franco-ontarienne</a>, the <a href="http:///www.coalition.ca/">Coalition ontarienne de formation aux adultes</a>, and the <a href="http:///www.afmo.on.ca/">Association française des municipalités de l‘Ontario</a>. The study will soon be available in English.

The benefits of bilingualism: An economic opportunity for Ontario

Ottawa, March 28, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) welcomes the Action Plan for Official Languages – 2018-2023: Investing in Our Future that was announced this morning by Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly. 
By drafting this Action Plan, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly have demonstrated the importance of official languages in Canada. The plan will strengthen communities, increase access to French-language services and promote a bilingual Canada. 
The plan will provide support for francophones in minority situations both in Ontario and in other provinces and territories by:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">increasing funding for community organizations;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">drafting a national strategy on francophone immigration; and</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">supporting francophone culture.</li>
</ul>
“We are happy to see that the Canadian Government has taken many of the Franco-Ontarian community’s recommendations into account, especially regarding francophone immigration, the use of French in airports and funding for community organizations. The AFO will work with the government and its francophone community partners to implement this plan,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO.

A Promising Action Plan for Official Languages

Toronto, March 28, 2018 – “A strong Franco-Ontarian community means a strong Ontario,” said Minister of Finance for Ontario Charles Sousa during his/a budget speech. The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) believes that the 2018-2019 provincial budget will provide the Franco-Ontarian community with the tools necessary to strengthen and sustain itself. 
The 2018 budget contains several elements that could have a positive effect on the status of French in the province. These include increasing the budget of the Ministry of Francophone Affairs, reinforcing the role of the French Language Health Planning Entities, including the linguistic identity of francophones on health cards, and allocating additional resources to mental health programs in francophone high schools. In addition, the government has committed to doubling its budget for the Francophone Community Grants Program. 
“The AFO is happy to be working with the Ontario Government on several promising ventures that will enable our community to promote the vision it laid out in the <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2016/09/PSC_Brochure_ENG_WEB.pdf">Strategic Plan for Ontario’s Francophone Community: Vision 2025</a>. The current budget shows that the government sees our community as an important partner,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO.

Tools to help Franco-Ontarians build the Ontario of tomorrow

Toronto, March 19, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) applauds the <a href="https:///news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2018/03/a-time-for-care-and-opportunity.html">Speech from the Throne</a> given this afternoon by Her Honor the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Via this speech, the Ontario Government demonstrated its respect for and recognition of Ontario’s Francophonie. 
Two important Franco-Ontarian issues were discussed: Ontario’s membership in the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF) and the imminent creation of the Université de l’Ontario français (UOF). These two issues are crucial elements of the Franco-Ontarian vision that was established in the <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2016/09/PSC_Brochure_ENG_WEB.pdf">Strategic Plan for Ontario’s Francophone Community: Vision 2025</a>. 
“The Lieutenant Governor spoke in French several times during her speech. The Ontario Government showed, yet again, that French is becoming a provincial norm instead of a political issue. Furthermore, the speech contained specific references to the issues that are most important to the francophone community (the IOF and UOF) – this makes us confident that the government will continue to address francophone issues,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO.

Speech from the Throne: A sign of respect for the francophone community in Ontario

Ottawa, February 27, 2018 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) sees the federal government’s support of official languages in its budget Equality + Growth: A Strong Middle Class as a promising sign. However, certain elements of the budget regarding investment need to be clarified. 
The AFO has met with ministers and federal deputies many times to advocate for reinvestment in official languages, and these efforts have started to pay off. On February 1, Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO, sent Minister of Finance Bill Morneau an official list of <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/des-recommandations-de-la-communaute-franco-ontarienne-concernant-le-budget-federal/">recommendations from the Franco-Ontarian community</a> regarding reinvestment in official languages and other key issues. The AFO would like to acknowledge the active involvement and support of the <a href="http:///fcfa.ca/">Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada</a> (FCFA) and its members during the drafting of this important document. 
“The budget seems to support official languages overall. However, the AFO’s 200 member organizations and institutions are still waiting for concrete answers from the government to assess the budget’s impact. These investments are important, since several of our member organizations are in dire financial straits. The vitality and survival of our communities is at stake,” said Jolin. 
The AFO will soon be asking the government to clarify how funding will be divided among the provinces, and how much funding will be allocated to francophone communities. The AFO also expects an announcement about the new Action Plan for Official Languages – 2018-2023. It hopes that this action plan will be by and for the francophone community. 
The AFO is also happy with other elements of the budget – immigration, cultural diversity and summer employment – that affect the Francophonie in Ontario and in Canada.

The federal budget: promising signs and missing details

Ottawa, November 17, 2017 – The French Language Services Act (FLSA) came into force 31 years ago tomorrow. On the eve of this anniversary, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) reminds the Ontario Government that the FLSA urgently needs to be updated. 
This update, which was promised by the Minister of Francophone Affairs over a year ago, must be drafted by and for Ontario’s francophones. 
“According to a <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2017/10/Sondage-LSF.pdf">survey </a>conducted by the AFO this summer, the Franco-Ontarian community is eager for this project to be finished. It was at the heart of debates during our Annual Conference in October, and a <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/7734/">motion was adopted</a> during the General Meeting that reiterates Franco-Ontarian expectations for the updated Act,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO. 
Franco-Ontarians expect the modernized FLSA to to be more stringent and exacting: it must:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">increase access to French-language healthcare services; </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">formally incorporate active offer into provincial law;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">be applied to a larger number of government organizations and legislative institutions; and</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">grant all Franco-Ontarians access to services in French regardless of where they live in the province.</li>
</ul>
As the next provincial elections approach, the AFO, on behalf of the Francophonie in Ontario, reiterates its desire to see a proposal for the modernized FLSA in the coming weeks that reflects the current needs and wishes of Franco-Ontarians.

The French Language Services Act desperately needs to be updated

Toronto, November 14, 2017 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is happy to note that three important Franco-Ontarian projects are about to become a reality. They have been included in an omnibus bill tabled in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as part of the Ontario Government’s fall 2017 economic update. 
The omnibus bill should pass third reading in December, and it will enable the creation of the Université de l’Ontario français, grant official bilingual status to the City of Ottawa, and formalize the change in governance at the Centre Jules-Léger. 
“This is the first time that francophone issues have occupied such a large role in a government economic update. The omnibus bill is of considerable importance for the Franco-Ontarian community. We are very happy to see three projects from the <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2016/09/PSC_Brochure_ENG_WEB.pdf">Strategic Plan for Ontario’s Francophone Community</a> coming to fruition,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO.

Light at the end of the tunnel for three Franco-Ontarian economic projects

Ottawa, October 11, 2017 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) has just <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2017/10/Sondage-LSF.pdf">released the results</a> of its survey1 on the updated French Language Services Act (FLSA). The three main priorities of the Franco-Ontarian community are active offer, French-language healthcare services and the designation (as defined by the FLSA) of the whole province. 
Other priorities for the updated FLSA expressed by the Franco-Ontarian community include making it more stringent, requiring all governmental organizations to offer French-language services, and simplifying the process of designating areas and organizations. These survey results, along with the results of the Conference on Ontario’s French Language Services Act organized by the University of Ottawa, will form the basis of a collaborative effort between the AFO and the <a href="http:///www.ajefo.ca/">Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario </a>(AJEFO). 
“This survey allowed the Franco-Ontarian community to share its perspective on the modernized FLSA with the Ontario Government, and the responses confirm that the community has clear priorities. The AFO and the AJEFO will collaborate to formally draft these priorities,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO. 
During the <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/congres/#congres">AFO’s annual conference</a> at the end of the month, a workshop will be held on the overhaul of the FLSA to discuss and reiterate the community’s priorities. The community will be asked to formally endorse these priorities during the next AGM. 
“The AFO and the AJEFO are drafting the list of priorities that should underlie the modernized FLSA. The AJEFO hopes that the Ministry of Francophone Affairs will use these recommendations to accelerate the modernization process,” added Sonia Ouellet, the President of the AJEFO.
<hr />
1.  276 Franco-Ontarians responded to the survey online between July 24 and September 5, 2017.

A Survey on Community priorities for the updated French Language Services Act

Toronto, September 25, 2017 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) officially released the <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2017/09/LivreBlancMedias_ENG_2017_09_21.pdf">White Paper on Francophone Media in Ontario</a> today at its French-ment bon breakfast in Queen’s Park. This White Paper, the fourth such document published by the AFO, recommends reinvesting in government advertising in Franco-Ontarian media and creating a neutral Observatory to gather audience and readership data. 
The White Paper explains the challenges that Ontario’s Francophone media are facing and the realities of the media environment that are specific to French Ontario. It also seeks to mobilize the Franco-Ontarian community around a shared vision. 
The White Paper, created by the consulting firm Centre de leadership et d’évaluation (Le CLÉ) and produced by the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario, offers recommendations on four main issues:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">advertising and financial support;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">digital technologies;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">content; and</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">monitoring.</li>
</ul>
“The media, and in particular francophone media, is in a vulnerable position as a result of the new digital age, declining advertising and reduced federal and provincial funding. This is alarming, considering that francophone newspapers, radio stations and TV all help preserve the identity of the Francophonie in Ontario,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO. 
Some of the above recommendations are addressed directly to the media and the provincial and federal governments, while others are addressed to the Advertising Review Board, community members, and other entities. 
Following the publication of this White Paper, the AFO will be creating an advisory committee to implement these recommendations. This process will also involve consultations with elected representatives.

Revitalizing francophone media in Ontario

Ottawa, August 2, 2017 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is deeply concerned about the relative decline of French in Ontario and in Canada that was recorded by Statistics Canada in the 2016 Census of Population. The long-term survival of francophone linguistic minorities in Ontario and in Canada is in jeopardy. 
The 2011 census reported that 4.3% of Ontario’s population spoke French as a first language (542 390 individuals). However, the 2016 census reported that only 4.1% of the population spoke French as a first language (549 185 individuals) – a decline of 0.2%. 
 “The future of the Franco-Ontarian community is under threat. This affects our ability to live in French, to obtain government services in our language, and to be represented in Canadian politics. It threatens the future and even the survival of Ontario’s Francophonie. 
“The Canadian Government is constitutionally and morally obliged to address the relative decline of francophones living in minority settings. We can no longer accept the fact that only 2% of immigrants to Ontario are francophones, and that we are losing demographic weight every year. This tendency must be reversed, and steps must be taken to make up for the losses of recent years. 
“It is now more important than ever that the Prime Minister show support for francophone minority communities and significantly increase funding for the multi-year action plan for official languages. The survival of our community is at risk as we speak – the time for action is now,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO. 
However, there is a glimmer of hope: the number of francophones and French speakers is increasing overall. Since 2011, an additional 6 795 francophones have moved to the province, and an additional 95 000 people can speak French (from 1 395 805 in 2011 to 1 490 840 in 2016). 
An analysis of the 2016 Census of Population shows the importance of francophone immigration in Ontario. If the federal and provincial governments had followed through on their 2012 promises to reach a 5% francophone immigration target, the province would have had an additional 12 000 francophones. In this scenario, the proportion of francophones in Ontario would only have fallen by 0.05%. 
“Immigration enriches our community, and our long-term survival depends largely on the governments reaching their immigration targets and on local organizations being able to successfully integrate and assist immigrants. The federal and provincial governments need to work together with our community and draw on the White Paper on Francophone Immigration in Ontario to reach or even surpass our goals,” Jolin said.

Canada 2016 Census: the AFO is deeply concerned about the relative decline of French in Ontario

Ottawa, July 31, 2017 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) welcomes the Ontario Government’s announcement that the Office of Francophone Affairs (OFA) will become a fully-fledged ministry (the Ministry of Francophone Affairs). 
The Franco-Ontarian community has been asking for this change for several years. Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO, <a href="https:///onfr.tfo.org/a-quand-un-ministere-des-affaires-francophones-a-part-entiere/">recently underlined the importance of creating a fully-fledged ministry</a> to replace the Office of Francophone Affairs. Essentially, a ministry would have significantly more resources that it could put towards advancing francophone issues. 
“The AFO thanks The Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, and The Honourable Marie-France Lalonde, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, for the creation of this new ministry. The ministry will be able to play a much larger role from now on, and the AFO hopes that this will lead to concrete results for the Franco-Ontarian community. We look forward to hearing the details of the announcement regarding the ministry’s mandate, function and financing. 
“The AFO would also like to congratulate Peter Milczyn for his nomination to Cabinet, and to thank him for his commitment to Franco-Ontarian issues while serving as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs,” said Carol Jolin.

The AFO welcomes the creation of the Ministry of Francophone Affairs

Ottawa, June 15, 2017 – This morning, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) announced the publication of a White Paper on Francophone Arts and Culture in Ontario. The White Paper proposes five goals that the provincial and federal governments, as well as the Franco-Ontarian community, should adopt in order to support, develop and expand the Franco-Ontarian artistic industry. 
These five goals are:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">to support artists and strengthen the capacity of artistic and cultural organizations;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">to update and expand the network of francophone cultural spaces throughout the province;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">to increase the reach of Franco-Ontarian arts, culture and cultural products;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">to enlist the education community as a leading partner in Ontario’s francophone cultural vitality; and</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">to remedy the lack of data on Ontario’s francophone arts and culture community.</li>
</ul>
According to the White Paper, the lack of core support for francophone cultural development has decimated cultural spaces and caused other significant losses, most importantly in the publishing community. 
“Franco-Ontarian arts and culture are running out of steam: cultural centres are shutting down, and many artists are earning less than CAN$10 000 a year. We need to act quickly, or else francophone arts and culture in Ontario will be in dire straits,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO. 
The White Paper on Francophone Arts and Culture in Ontario contains 40 recommendations on how the above goals can be achieved. 
“I invite all members of the Franco-Ontarian cultural and artistic community to assume ownership of this White Paper. I invite them to pass on copies to elected office holders that they meet throughout the summer. The more francophones who ask elected officials to follow our recommendations, the more likely we are to succeed,” Jolin added. 
The AFO would like to acknowledge the exceptional work of consultant Éric Dubeau and the leadership role of the Alliance culturelle de l’Ontario in the publication of this document. 
Click to access the <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2018/03/LivreBlancAC_ENG_2017-06-29.pdf">White Paper on Francophone Arts and Culture in Ontario</a>.

Five goals to help support francophone arts and culture in Ontario

Ottawa, March 23, 2017 – Following consultation with the Franco-Ontarian community on francophone immigration in Ontario, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) has drafted 11 measures to help the provincial and federal governments reach their francophone immigration targets. 
These measures are included in the White Paper on Francophone Immigration in Ontario, which addresses four main findings:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">the government’s approach to francophone immigration is disconnected and incoherent;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Ontario does not attract and retain enough francophone immigrants;</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">francophone immigrants face many obstacles and inequities; and</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">there is no francophone immigration continuum.</li>
</ul>
“Since the publication of Ontario’s Immigration Strategy 2012, there has been a steady decline in francophone immigrants in Ontario. It is essential that the federal and provincial governments work with the Franco-Ontarian community to increase francophone immigration and thereby ensure the long-term survival of French in the province. This isn’t just the AFO’s wish – it’s the wish of the whole Franco-Ontarian community,” explains the AFO’s President, Carol Jolin. 
The White Paper on Francophone Immigration in Ontario was launched at the AFO’s annual French-ment bon breakfast. There were over a hundred attendees, including Members of Parliament and their staff, public servants and Franco-Ontarian community members. 
<a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2017/03/WhitePaper_IMMFR_ENG_FINAL_22March.pdf">Read the White Paper on Francophone Immigration in Ontario.</a>

Eleven measures to increase Francophone Immigration in Ontario

Ottawa, November 26, 2016 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) was very happy to hear that Ontario has been granted observer status within the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF). 
“This is an exciting moment for Ontario’s francophones and francophiles. The province has been seeking membership for many years. The AFO believes that this new status will positively contribute to francophone immigration and the development of the Franco-Ontarian economy,” said Carol Jolin, President of the AFO. 
The AFO believes that Ontario’s observer status will give the province an opportunity to promote its Francophonie on the international stage. “From the outside, Ontario isn’t necessarily seen as a French-speaking province. This is therefore an occasion to increase Ontario’s visibility, and to send the message that it is possible to live, study and work in French in Ontario,” Jolin added. 
“Lastly, I would like to thank the province for initiating the application process, and the federal government for approving and submitting Ontario’s candidacy,” Jolin said in closing.

Carol Jolin: Ontario’s IOF membership is an exciting moment for our community

Ottawa, November 18, 2016 – “Today is the thirtieth anniversary of the French Language Services Act (FLSA). Since its adoption in 1986, the Act has guaranteed Franco-Ontarians access to French-language healthcare services in designated areas. However, while this Act has been extremely beneficial, it is also outdated. An updated Act must be drafted. 
Thirty years on, the French Language Services Act no longer fully reflects the realities and needs of the Franco-Ontarian community. For example, the concept of designated areas creates inequalities among francophones across the province. It is crucial to draft an updated act that incorporates the goals of Franco-Ontarians as expressed in the new <a href="https:///monassemblee.ca/assets/images/uploads/2016/09/PSC_Brochure_ENG_WEB.pdf">Strategic Plan for Ontario’s Francophone Community: Vision 2025</a>. 
Modernizing the FLSA is necessary to guarantee the Franco-Ontarian community’s development and prosperity. This modernization is all the more relevant given the federal government’s recent announcement to update the Official Languages Regulations,” said Carol Jolin, the President of the AFO.

Carol Jolin’s Statement on the 30th anniversary of the French Language Services Act

Below you will find all press releases and statements issued by AFO. Below you will find all press releases and statements issued by AFO.