Celebrating Francophonie Month: A month of unity and culture in Ottawa

As the weather gets warmer and the winter snow melts away, March brings Francophonie Month, an annual occasion that celebrates the vital contributions made by the Francophone community. Throughout the month, you may have spotted screens around City Hall featuring green and white graphics wishing everyone a “Happy Francophonie Month,” highlighting the French language as an integral part of the city’s identity.  Francophones make up nearly one-quarter of the city’s population, and this month-long celebration allows us to recognize their invaluable cultural and linguistic contributions to our city. This month, we are proud to celebrate Francophones and Francophiles in our city.  The City is also committed to providing an active offer of services in both official languages across all departments in adherence to the City’s Bilingualism Policy. This means that all the necessary measures are taken to inform residents and employees that City services are available and equally accessible in English and French.  The 18th Annual Francophone RendezVous with the Mayor  A highlight of this month’s celebration was the Francophone RendezVous with the Mayor, which took place on Friday, March 21, at City Hall. This year marked the 18th annual edition of this event, which spotlighted the 50th anniversary of the Festival Franco-Ontarien, underscoring the commitment of generations of builders, organizations, artists and citizens, while affirming the Francophone community’s collective desire to preserve and promote francophone culture. This artistic program has brought both professional and emerging Francophone artists alike to the forefront of Ontario’s artistic scene and opened doors for recognition and celebration. The gathering was an exceptional way to honour francophone heritage and culture.   Looking forward: an ongoing commitment to bilingualism  The City of Ottawa fosters an environment where both official languages can grow and flourish. The ongoing efforts of City staff will ensure that all residents have access to high-quality services and programming that are responsive to their needs and honour their heritage. We will always take pride in ensuring our residents are represented, heard, and celebrated year-round.  Bon Mois de la Francophonie! (Happy Francophonie Month!)