Franco-Ontarian Flag Flies Permanently at the Lionel E. Lalonde Centre

A permanent Franco-Ontarian flag was raised this morning at the Lionel E. Lalonde Centre in Azilda in celebration of St-Jean-Baptiste Day.

For over 20 years, the flag has been permanently raised at various locations across the city, including Tom Davies Square, James Jerome Sports Complex, Centre de santé communautaire, Pioneer Manor and many others. The tradition stands as a testament of our appreciation for the dynamic francophone community that enriches the diversity of our city.

"I'm proud to take part in this special annual tradition that recognizes the rich French culture of our community," said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre. "The flag is a symbol of our commitment to the city’s francophone heritage and is an important reminder of our dedication to nurturing our bilingual identity through the delivery of municipal services.”

The annual flag raising, co-hosted with the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario (ACFO) du grand Sudbury, is an opportunity to celebrate Greater Sudbury’s deep Franco-Ontarian roots and renew the City’s commitment to enrich francophone culture in the community.

"As an advocate for francophones in our community, I am delighted to witness the continuation of the annual flag-raising tradition," remarked Joanne Gervais, Executive Director of the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario du grand Sudbury. "The presence of a symbol that Franco-Ontarians recognize and value is vital in fostering a sense of belonging. It solidifies our presence and underscores our cultural pride."

The Franco-Ontarian flag has important significance to Greater Sudbury, as it was created by Gaétan Gervais, Michel Dupuis and a group of students 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 2001. In 2020, it became an official emblem of Ontario.