In celebration of St-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24, a permanent Franco-Ontarian flag was raised June 23 at Centennial Arena and Community Centre Parkland in Hanmer.
This isn’t the first location in the city to celebrate the community’s Francophone population by permanently flying the green and white Franco-Ontarian flag, which incidentally, was created in Sudbury.
The flag flies permanently at Tom Davies Square, Centre de santé communautaire, Pioneer Manor and the office of Le Voyageur “in recognition of the strong Francophone presence across the community.”
“As a proud member of the Franco-Ontarian community, it is meaningful to see the permanent installation of the flag at this municipal site,” said Mayor Paul Lefebvre in a news release. “The flag is a symbol of language and culture; it is a visual celebration of the historical and contemporary contributions of our Franco-Ontarian residents.”
The annual flag raising was co-hosted with the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario du grand Sudbury (ACFO).
“I’m thrilled that we were able to gather again this year to raise another permanent Franco-Ontarian flag in Greater Sudbury,” said Joanne Gervais, executive director of ACFO. “I am honoured to continue this tradition, and to have the opportunity to celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions of francophones in our community.”
