Ontario’s lieutenant governor visits West Nipissing to celebrate Francophone heritage

Edith Dumont, Ontario’s lieutenant governor, is in northern Ontario to celebrate Francophonie Month, where she plans to celebrate the vibrant Francophone community in West Nipissing.

Dumont was welcomed to the community Monday by West Nipissing Mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon and Nipissing First Nation Chief Cathy Stevens on Monday afternoon as she toured city hall and met with staff, city councillors, members of the OPP and members of the Francophone community.

“I think we’re going to have fun,” she said.

It’s the first time a lieutenant governor has visited the community of about 15,000. Dumont is also the first Franco-Ontarian lieutenant governor.

“We can be proud as a Franco-Ontarian to be part of all our important institutions,” she told reporters.

“I’m proud of my province because diversity is a core value that we cherish across Canada.”

In February 2024, West Nipissing received the 2023 Lieutenant Governor’s Award from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario, recognizing the municipality’s efforts in economic development.

Rochon said the award inspired the invitation to Dumont to visit the community.

“It’s a really great opportunity to show all of the accomplishments and all of the things that have been built in our community by the sheer will and pride of our French community,” she said.

“When I look around at places like Au Château and places like Franco Cité.”

‘It means a lot to us’

Dumont will also visit several locations in Sturgeon Falls, including the West Nipissing Community Health Centre to participate in a women in leadership discussion with the mayor and female leaders from the West Nipissing area, multiple schools, and the Club Richelieu for the francophone dinner.

“It means a lot to us to have her there,” said Fernande Beaudry, a member of the dinner organizing committee.

“We had no problem selling our tickets.”

According to the 2021 census, there are more than 652,000 Francophones in Ontario and close to 60 per cent of West Nipissing residents who use French as their primary language.

“It’s the visibility (and) it’s also the recognition of our communities that are not necessarily centered in Ottawa or Toronto, that we are all over the province,” said Anne Brûlé, assistant director of programming for Les Compagnons Des Francs Loisirs.

“With such a visit, it’s a chance for the local population to be seen, to be heard. It is a chance to feel connected. It’s also a chance to inspire our youth. It’s an opportunity to present a wonderful role model for our French youth here in our region.”

Dumont said she looks forward to leaving her mark on this community.

“The Francophones are people that have travelled across Canada and Ontario,” she said.