Inside the Heart of Franco-Ontario: A Native Perspective

by Starla

History and Heritage

French settlement in Ontario began in the 17th century, mainly along the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes, where explorers and fur traders started early communities. These areas soon became the center of British and French rivalry, which ended with the British taking control of New France (Canada) in 1763. This change brought new challenges for French settlers, but it did not remove their presence or cultural impact. In the early 20th century, the heritage of Franco-Ontarians faced a big challenge with Regulation 17, a law passed in 1912 that limited French-language education in Ontario. This law tried to assimilate the French-speaking population into the English-speaking majority but met strong resistance from the Franco-Ontarian community. Despite these difficulties, Franco-Ontarians have kept their unique cultural and linguistic identity through determination, advocacy, and community support. Today, their heritage is celebrated for its important contributions to Ontario's cultural diversity and history.

Language

The Franco-Ontarian language, a variant of Canadian French, is a vital part of the Franco-Ontarian culture. Spoken by the French-speaking communities in Ontario, it carries unique expressions and accents influenced by the region's history and interactions with English speakers. Efforts to preserve and promote the Franco-Ontarian language include French-language schools, cultural festivals, and media. And although French can be found throughout the entire province of Ontario, it is mainly spoken in Northern Ontario where there are smaller communities and less of an English influence.

Journée Franco-Ontarien

Journée Franco-Ontarienne, celebrated on September 25th, is a significant day for Franco-Ontarians, symbolizing their vibrant culture and rich heritage. This day commemorates the unveiling of the Franco-Ontarian flag in 1975, which has become a proud emblem of the community. Festivities include parades, cultural performances, and community gatherings, highlighting the contributions of Franco-Ontarians to the province's diversity. For the Franco-Ontarian community, this day is a powerful affirmation of their identity, unity, and the ongoing vitality of their language and traditions within Ontario.

Franco-Ontarian music

Franco-Ontarian artists such as Chuck Labelle, André Paiement, Annie Blanchard, Damien Robitaille, Mélissa Ouimet, and Les Chiclettes play a crucial role in promoting and preserving Franco-Ontarian culture through their music and performances. Chuck Labelle is known for his folk-rock sound and heartfelt lyrics, while André Paiement, a co-founder of the band CANO, left a lasting legacy with his contributions to Franco-Ontarian music and theater. Annie Blanchard is a contemporary artist with a soulful voice, and Damien Robitaille captivates audiences with his unique blend of pop, rock, and folk influences. Mélissa Ouimet infuses rock energy into her French songs, and Les Chiclettes, a female vocal trio, charm listeners with their harmonious blend of jazz, swing, and chanson. Together, these artists celebrate and sustain the vibrant Franco-Ontarian heritage, inspiring pride and unity within the community.

Cuisine

Although there is no Franco-Ontarian food, some foods could be considered part of our culture. Food such as peameal bacon, often known as "Canadian bacon," is a popular dish, made from pork loin rolled in cornmeal, offering a unique texture and flavor. Another food is maple syrup, due to Ontario being a significant producer. This is a staple in many Franco-Ontarian households, and is used to sweeten everything from pancakes to desserts. Furthermore, butter tarts, a beloved Canadian treat with a rich, sweet filling, are a cherished part of local culinary traditions. Pickerel, also known as walleye, is a favorite due to Ontario's vast array of lakes, providing fresh, delicious fish that is often featured in regional recipes. These foods not only satisfy palates but also connect Franco-Ontarians to their cultural roots and the natural bounty of their province.

Difference between Quebec French and Ontario French

Quebecois French and Ontario French share many similarities but also have noticeable differences due to historical, cultural, and regional influences. Quebecois French tends to preserve more traditional features of the French language, such as distinct pronunciation, vocabulary, and expressions rooted in Quebec's rich linguistic heritage. Additionally, Quebecois French often incorporates indigenous words, reflecting the province's unique cultural and linguistic landscape. In contrast, Ontario French may exhibit more influence from English, given the province's proximity to English-speaking communities and its history of bilingualism. Ontario French speakers may also adopt certain English words or phrases in their speech, contributing to a distinct linguistic fusion. For example, I often hear people say “J’en ai un appointment” which is an anglicism. The correct way to say it is “J’en ai un rendez-vous”. Another example is “Je vais visionner un show” instead of “Je vais visionner un spectacle”. But the most common anglicisms that are made in Franco-Ontario, is adding “er” to English words. For example, watcher, fisher, builder, etc. 

Education

The French education crisis in Ontario is a pressing issue threatening the existence of the Franco-Ontarian culture and community as we know it. French-language schools are facing challenges such as underfunding, teacher shortages, and inadequate resources, which affect the quality of education for Francophone students. Additionally, children are speaking and learning French less and less due to increasing integration into predominantly English-speaking environments, limited access to French-language media, and the growing dominance of English in everyday life. This situation undermines efforts to preserve and promote the French language and cultural identity among young Franco-Ontarians. As a result, the community fears a decline in the transmission of their heritage to future generations, posing a significant risk to the existence of the Franco-Ontarian culture. Addressing these educational challenges is essential to ensuring the survival and flourishing of this vibrant community.

Conclusion from a native

To conclude, I have lived in the Franco-Ontario community for the entirety of my life, and although our French might not be as structured or correct as French French or even Quebecois French, it is important that we maintain our language. Many French schools are being shut down, even the one that I attended for high school is at great risk of shutting down. The high school I used to attend used to have 1200 students each year, but now it only has a measly 350 students. Classrooms are being shut off because they can’t afford the extra janitor and because there are not enough students to justify keeping them in use. I was in two classes in my senior year that had just 3 students in each of them. Meanwhile the English high schools have to build extensions to their campuses because of how many kids are attending them. In truth, a lot of these kids going to English schools have French parents or speak French themselves but they refuse to maintain it because French is seen as lame and not cool. In reality, speaking French is a really important skill to have in Ontario and provides people with higher employment opportunities if they speak it. Ontarian French will always have a special place in my heart, and I think this language is worth maintaining. On this note, I will say, merci pour reader mon article.

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About Starla

A young French-Canadian who’s currently doing her undergrad in accounting with a minor in English. She is also a part time accountant and enjoys hobbies such as digital art, skateboarding, video games, chess, and of course, language learning. She is currently fluent in French and English and is learning Dutch.