Permanent Franco-Ontarian Flag Raised at Pioneer Manor

Jun 22, 2018

In celebration of la Saint-Jean, a permanent Franco-Ontarian flag was raised this morning at Pioneer Manor. The flag will fly permanently in recognition of the strong francophone presence across the community.

For the past four years, the annual Association canadienne-francaise de l’Ontario (ACFO) du grand Sudbury permanent flag raising ceremony for la Saint Jean has been held at a City facility to honour Greater Sudbury’s Franco-Ontarian history and culture.

"As we celebrate la Saint-Jean, it’s important for us as a community, to recognize our heritage and the contributions of our francophone citizens," said Mayor Brian Bigger. "Every year we choose a new city facility to raise the Franco-Ontarian Flag, and it was with great pride that we raised the flag at Pioneer Manor today.” 

This year’s flag-raising complement’s Pioneer Manor’s larger Saint Jean celebration made possible by funding from the Ontario Ministry of Francophone Affairs in support of the residence’s I AM Francophone program. The initiative focuses on providing new opportunities for residents to take part in francophone events and celebrate their culture. 

“For fifteen years, l’ACFO du grand Sudbury has raised a Franco-Ontarian flag in honour of la Saint-Jean and we are proud to be able to continue the tradition,” said Joanne Gervais, directrice générale de l’ACFO du grand Sudbury. “There is a strong francophone presence in Greater Sudbury and it is wonderful to have greater opportunity to live our culture, identify ourselves and gather as such in a public place.”

The Franco-Ontarian flag has important significance to Greater Sudbury where it was originally conceived by Gaétan Gervais and Michel Dupuis at Laurentian University. The flag was first raised at the University of Sudbury and was officially recognized as the emblem of the Franco-Ontarian community in the Franco-Ontarian Emblem Act of 2001.

Nearly a third of Greater Sudbury’s total population declares French as their mother tongue.

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