The Sudbury-created Franco-Ontarian Flag was raised proudly and permanently on June 24 at the A.Y. Jackson Lookout, in honour of St-Jean-Baptiste Day, a day to focus on Greater Sudbury’s rich Franco-Ontarian culture and history.
The green and white flag will fly there from now on, joining other locations around the city, including Tom Davies Square, Pioneer Manor, James Jerome Sports Complex and the Flour Mill Museum.
During the flag-raising event, streamed live to Facebook, Mayor Brian Bigger spoke to the diversity of Sudbury.
“Our city is enriched by the diversity of our residents, which is why I’m so proud to recognize Franco-Ontarians and their contributions to our community,” said Bigger. “Council embraces our Franco-Ontarian heritage and is committed to continued support for French services at the municipality.”
Joanne Gervais, executive director of the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario du grand Sudbury (ACFO), said she was pleased that even during a pandemic, there was a way to continue the flag-raising tradition at a new location.
“I am proud to celebrate Franco-Ontarians and the Franco-Ontarian culture, and I am grateful to the city for its continued support,” she said.
The Franco-Ontarian flag was originally conceived here in Sudbury 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.
