City to recognize Franco-Ontarian Day and the 40th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag

In recognition of Franco-Ontarian Day, the Franco-Ontarian flag will fly from dawn to dusk on Friday, September 25, in front of the Heritage Building at City Hall.

The flag will also fly at 9 a.m. at the following City locations:

 * 
Ben Franklin Place;

 * 
Kanata Client Service Centre;

 * 
Orléans Client Service Centre;

 * 
Centre d’accueil Champlain; and,

 * 
James K. Bartleman Centre – City of Ottawa Archives.

The flag will also fly at 9 a.m. at the following headquarters:

 * 
Ottawa Police Services;

 * 
By-Law and Regulatory Services;

 * 
OC Transpo;

 * 
Paramedic Services; and,

 * 
Ottawa Fire Service.

Throughout the year, the flag flies proudly on a permanent basis on Marion Dewar Plaza at Ottawa City Hall and symbolizes the spirit of a community and a culture with a rich history.

This year also marks the 40

th

anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag, which was first flown in 1975 and officially recognized as the emblem of the Franco-Ontarian community in 2001.

On Friday morning, Mayor Jim Watson will join leaders of the Francophone community for a breakfast hosted by the l’Association des communautés francophones d’Ottawa (ACFO) at the University of Ottawa, where he will address participants at 8 a.m. and proclaim Franco-Ontarian Day.

Deputy Mayor Mark Taylor will take part in community celebrations on Saturday, September 26, at the Maison de la francophonie d’Ottawa, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Trend Arlington Park, 50 Bellman Drive, and will participate in a flag raising event at 11:50 a.m.

Franco-Ontarian Day is an opportunity for the City to recognize the invaluable contributions and vitality of Ottawa’s Francophone community. The City of Ottawa is committed to its Bilingualism Policy by offering services in both official languages to residents and staff.

For more information, visit ottawa.ca .