St. Jean Baptiste Day kicks off with a Franco-Ontarian flag raising in Greater Sudbury
June 24 is St. Jean Baptiste Day, a day when francophone culture and history is celebrated.
Every year on June 24, the Franco-Ontarian flag is raised at a new location in Greater Sudbury. This year the chosen spot was at a local fire hall.
It's an initiative that began in 2003.
“Back when city council refused to float the Franco-Ontarian flag in front of city hall,” said Joanne Gervais, executive director of the Association canadienne-francaise de l’Ontario.
“We took it upon ourselves to increase visibility and increase knowledge on the Franco-Ontarian flag and what it represented.”
Gervais said the flag raising is a celebration for many and she wants people to know it will stay that way.
“If I go back to 2003, a lot of the concerns were or what people were telling us was 'if you put up the Franco-Ontarian flag, we have to put up the Italian flag and we have to put up the British flag,' which is a false equivalency obviously because the Franco-Ontarian flag in Ontario,” said Gervais.
“It’s a celebration of being from here. So extra Franco-Ontarian flags doesn’t hurt anybody. We’re not going anywhere and we are proud.”
The Franco-Ontarian flag was designed in Sudbury by a professor and student at Laurentian University. It was first flown in 1975.
Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger said it’s vital to respect the flag and what it represents.
“It’s very important that we continue raising these flags across Sudbury because it’s a significant part of our heritage," Bigger said.
"I’m very proud as the mayor to be able to participate and support these activities over many years.”
As part of the celebrations, a concert featuring francophone musicians Robert Paquette and Zachary Richard will be held at Collège Boréal Saturday at 8 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.