Call for North Bay to fly Franco-Ontarian flag outside city hall

A group is lobbying city council in North Bay to add the Franco-Ontarian flag to other flags that fly outside city hall.

Members of the Franco-Ontarian community in North Bay want North Bay city council to add the Franco-Ontarian flag to those flying outside of city hall.

It would join the Canadian, Ontario and City of North Bay flags at Leger Square outside of city hall.

Two delegates from Les Compagnons des francs loisirs presented to councillors Tuesday night asking if they would consider adding the Franco-Ontarian flag as a fourth flag.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the flag, which is a symbol representing the French-speaking community in Ontario.

“It really represents 400 years of history,” Les Compagnons board president Nathalie Drolet told CTV News.

“I don’t like to use the word fight, but a fight to have our rights recognized and to be able to speak our language, to study our language to receive our services in our language. So, it’s an important symbol.”

First flown in 1975

Co-creator of the flag, Michelle Dupuis, is from North Bay.

The flag was flown for the first time at the University of Sudbury building on Sept. 25, 1975, and it was officially adopted as the community’s flag by the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario in 1977.

Les Compagnons said about 8,000 people -- or 14 per cent of North Bay’s population -- identify French as their mother tongue, In the Nipissing District as a whole, 25 per cent of people are bilingual.

Drolet said the flag unites generations of Franco-Ontarians.

Les Compagnons managing director Arnaud Claude said the group would contribute to the cost of installing the flag.

“Completely,” Claude said.

“It has been put in the budget and we will work with the city towards making sure that finance is not an issue with the project.”

In 2020, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario said the Franco-Ontarian flag is an official provincial emblem, passing the Franco-Ontarian Flag Amendment Act, and recognizing it as one of Ontario’s official flags.

“Many Franco-Ontarian institutions in North Bay already fly our flag,” Drolet said.

“It’s also a way to welcome new francophones and to tell them we’re here, we are happy to see you, and that we’re here to welcome you into our community.”

Following the presentation, Coun. Sara Inch introduced a notice of motion for a future meeting to explore adding the flag.

“I think it’s important to recognize the Franco-Ontario community and their contributions to North Bay,” Inch wrote in a statement.

“French speakers have been present here since the 1800s, having contributed to the development of logging, agriculture and the railway. I agree that the flag is more than a provincial symbol. It is a deeply local one, rooted right here in our community.”

Council’s next regular meeting is July 8.