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 wp-block-heading">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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Hearst, May 9, 2025 – « The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is concerned about the substantial lack of French-language communications and services that persists in the context of the measles outbreak currently affecting our province. On May 7, Ontario’s Minister of Health stated that all necessary measures were in place to protect the population. We welcome this commitment. However, we must reiterate that a public health response can only be effective and equitable if it reaches the entire population. Since the beginning of the outbreak, most public health units have failed to communicate in French and do not provide clear access to vaccination in the minority official language. This is also true in several regions designated under the French Language Services Act. This is a major public health concern that compromises not only the safety of Francophone families, but also our collective protection. This is why we continue to call on the government to bring public health units under the French Language Services Act : a longstanding AFO request since the COVID-19 pandemic. A public health measure is only fully effective when it is accessible to the entire population, including both official language communities » stated Fabien Hébert, President of the AFO.



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CONTACT INFORMATION: Grace Selenga Corporate Communications Manager (613) 878-3026 gselenga@monassemblee.ca

Statement by Fabien Hébert, President of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario, on the Need for a Measles Outbreak Response that is Also Accessible in French

Ottawa, March 20, 2025 – Following the federal election held on April 28, 2025, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) extends its congratulations to the Liberal Party of Canada and its leader Mark Carney, as well as to all elected candidates, on their victory. As the 44th Parliament resumes, the AFO looks forward to continuing its engagement with the federal government and its representatives across the province. This election saw a strong voter turnout of 67.2%, up from 62.6% in 2021, signaling a renewed commitment to democracy and a growing public interest in the issues that shape our collective future. “The strong engagement of Franco-Ontarians in the federal election is a testament to their dedication to Canada’s future. Our community clearly voiced its priorities throughout the campaign, and it is now time to get back to work. The Franco-Ontarian community remains a vital force for cohesion, innovation, and prosperity in our country,” stated Fabien Hébert, President of the AFO. With expectations running high across Franco-Ontarian communities, the AFO is looking to the new government for concrete action to enhance access to French-language services, support postsecondary education by and for Francophones, and fully recognize the contribution of the Francophonie to Canada’s economic and social dynamism. The AFO also wishes to sincerely thank all the candidates it had the opportunity to meet during the campaign, in collaboration with the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) of Canada. These exchanges provided a crucial platform to advance the priorities of Ontario’s Francophonie and underscore the importance of strong federal leadership in support of our communities. We warmly acknowledge all individuals who put their names forward in this election. Running for office is an act of courage and dedication to one’s community and to democracy. The AFO reiterates its commitment to working with the new government to promote the strategic role of the Francophonie and its economic contribution in shaping future public policy. We remain available to support efforts to strengthen French-language services, foster the vitality of the Franco-Ontarian community across all regions, and ensure that the rights and needs of Franco-Ontarians are fully reflected in federal priorities.



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CONTACT INFORMATION: Grace Selenga Corporate Communications Manager (613) 878-3026 gselenga@monassemblee.ca

AFO Congratulates Mark Carney’s Liberal Party on Victory and Highlights Strong Voter Turnout

Ottawa, March 20, 2025 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO), the Université de Sudbury, and the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario (ACFO) of Greater Sudbury are proud to announce that the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will serve as the honorary patron of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag. Her participation in these historic celebrations will highlight the significance of this official emblem of the province for all Franco-Ontarians and the entire population of Ontario. The partners invite all Ontario citizens to take part in this historic celebration, participate in events, and share their pride by using the 50th-anniversary logo throughout the year. This commemorative logo is more than just a visual symbol; it celebrates 50 years of Franco-Ontarian presence and vitality and pays tribute to the pioneers of the Franco-Ontarian flag. We also encourage the community to share the activities they are organizing as part of this celebration. Together, let’s make this anniversary an unforgettable moment for the entire Franco-Ontarian community and the entire province! « The 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag is a historic milestone in our collective journey. It is a celebration of our past, a recognition of our present, and a commitment to our future. It reflects the legacy of those who shaped our history and the drive of our youth who carry our future with conviction and passion, » said Peter Hominuk, Executive Director of AFO. « The celebrations have begun! Today, we unveil the official logo for the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag and launch festivities that will resonate across Ontario all year long. Join us in Sudbury on September 25 for the flag-raising at the Université de Sudbury, where it all began in 1975. In the evening, we welcome you to the Franco-Ontarian Banquet hosted by ACFO of Greater Sudbury at Collège Boréal, » said Joanne Gervais, Executive Director of ACFO of Greater Sudbury. « Raised for the very first time on September 25, 1975, at the Université de Sudbury, the Franco-Ontarian flag, now an official emblem of the province, is a unifying symbol of a society committed to the development of the French language and Ontario as a whole, » said Serge Miville, President of the Université de Sudbury. « The 50ᵉ anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag is an opportunity to celebrate a vibrant and pluralistic Francophonie, rooted in all aspects of our society, from education to culture, from business to public service. This symbol reflects the strength of our language and our community, united by history and looking to the future. It’s a proud moment when Francophones and Francophiles recognize themselves in a shared identity. I’m delighted to serve as honorary patron of these celebrations, which are a reminder that our diversity is a strength and that, together, we’re building a strong, caring province that’s open to the world, » said the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.



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<a href="https://app.box.com/s/nqpyjr0u7kbluzp07lnfphv7qqbpekip" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here to access the press kit.</a>



About the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) is the unifying body and political voice of Ontario’s Francophonie. Its mandate is to coordinate the province’s Francophone community and act as a spokesperson, advocating, among other things, for the rights of Ontario’s 795,760 Franco-Ontarians. About the ACFO of Greater Sudbury The Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario (ACFO) du grand Sudbury is the unifying body and representative of the Francophone community in the Greater Sudbury region, from Espanola to the French River. Its mandate is to bring together the Francophone stakeholders of the territory to promote their development and growth. Committed to defending Francophone rights, it works to improve French-language services and ensures a strong and continuous Francophone presence in the region. About the Université de Sudbury Founded in 1913, the Université de Sudbury is the first post-secondary institution in Northern Ontario. In 1975, the very first raising of the Franco-Ontarian flag in the province took place there. The institution was officially designated under the French Language Services Act in January 2020. The Université de Sudbury acknowledges that it is located on the lands covered by the Robinson-Huron Treaty and that the lands on which it stands are part of the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishinaabeg and the Wahnapitae First Nation.



CONTACT INFORMATION: For the AFO Grace Selenga Corporate Communications Manager (613) 878-3026 gselenga@monassemblee.ca For the ACFO du grand Sudbury Joanne Gervais Executive Director (705) 674-5896 ext. 200 jgervais@acfosudbury.ca For the Université de Sudbury Elise Leblanc Executive Assistant to the Rector and Secretary of the Governance Council (705) 673-5661 eleblanc@usudbury.ca

50th Anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian Flag Under the Honorary Patronage of the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

Ottawa, March 19, 2025 – The Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) congratulates the newly appointed members of Ontario’s Executive Council. In a context marked by economic and social challenges, government stability presents a valuable opportunity to ensure continuity in ongoing initiatives. The AFO welcomes Premier Ford’s call for unity in Ontario. « The Ontario Team is strong because of its bilingualism. Ontario stands out for its linguistic duality, with French being an integral part of its identity and economic vitality. We look forward to working with the government to build a strong Ontario by recognizing the strategic contribution of Francophones to Ontario society. We are ready to collaborate with the government to ensure that this commitment translates into concrete and lasting actions. » said Fabien Hébert, President of the AFO. The AFO also commends the four ministers who chose to take their oath in both French and English: the Hon. Caroline Mulroney, the Hon. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, the Hon. Michael Kerzner, and the Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy. This gesture by these cabinet members sends an important message: French is a language of engagement. « I congratulate all the ministers appointed today and am particularly pleased with the reappointment of Caroline Mulroney as Minister of Francophone Affairs. We have always maintained a constructive working relationship, particularly on the modernization of the French Language Services Act. We look forward to continuing this work and ensuring its effective implementation. » added President Fabien Hébert. The AFO looks forward to working with the government to provide concrete support for the growth, development, and vitality of Ontario’s Francophone community. In this spirit, it will continue engaging with key ministers to reiterate the community’s expectations and ensure that its priorities are reflected in upcoming government decisions, particularly in light of the commitments received through the AFO’s pre-election questionnaire. Finally, the AFO wishes to highlight the pride felt by the Franco-Ontarian community in seeing, for the first time, a Franco-Ontarian Lieutenant Governor, Édith Dumont, officiate the swearing-in of the Executive Council alongside the Premier of Ontario. Her role strengthens the representation of Ontario’s Francophonie within the province’s institutions.ert, President of AFO



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Information: Grace Selenga Corporate Communications Manager gselenga@monassemblee.ca Mobile : 613-878-3026

Ford’s New Cabinet : AFO Welcomes Continuity but Urges the Government to Act More Quickly

Ottawa, February 28, 2025 – “On behalf of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) and the 795,760 Francophones it represents, I would like to congratulate Premier Doug Ford on his historic re-election, as well as the 123 other elected representatives who will serve in the Legislative Assembly. This re-election, marking a third consecutive mandate, is a significant moment in Ontario’s political history. The AFO will continue its efforts to ensure that Francophone issues remain at the core of government discussions. Among our community’s priorities are access to French-language healthcare, the development of Francophone postsecondary education – particularly the Université de Sudbury file – addressing the shortage of bilingual labor, strengthening non-profit organizations, and expanding the Francophone presence in Ontario. We also wish to congratulate Marit Stiles, Bonnie Crombie, and Mike Schreiner on their election campaigns. We are pleased to see that Francophonie played a significant role in the electoral debate, particularly through the commitments made in party platforms and the organization of the French-language debate in collaboration with Radio-Canada and Groupe Média TFO. I would like to extend my thanks to all candidates who took part in this election, especially those who took the time to engage with the Francophone community to better understand and discuss the issues affecting us. As several Franco-Ontarians and Francophiles take their seats in the new Legislative Assembly, we encourage all parties to work together to strengthen and advance Francophonie in Ontario. We look forward to working with the government and all elected representatives to advance the key issues that will shape the future of our community ”, said Fabien Hébert, President of AFO



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Information: Grace Selenga Corporate Communications Manager gselenga@monassemblee.ca Mobile : 613-878-3026

Fabien Hébert’s statement on Ontario’s 44th general election

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

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