For the second time since 2016, when it joined the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) as an observer member, the Ontario government even sent a delegation. Alongside the Minister of Francophone Affairs Caroline Mulroney, we found in particular the Lieutenant-Governor Edith Dumont and the Assembly of the Francophonie of Ontario (AFO).
This participation of Ontario shows at least one evolution with the first months of the Ford government in 2018. That year, in addition to having caused the famous linguistic crisis of the fall, the conservative team distinguished itself by a notable absence at the Yerevan Summit.
This renewed interest in the global Francophonie can be explained at least by the good results recorded by its presence at the last Summit in Djerba two years ago.
On-site discussions allowed the signing of a first international agreement with a member of the OIF, Wallonia-Brussels, subsequently concluding a declaration of cooperation with France and an agreement with one of its regions, Auvergne. -Rhône-Alpes.
This 19th Francophone Summit has in any case revealed a formidable capacity for networking. In the idyllic setting of Villers-Cotterêts, the site of the 1539 ordinance making French the administrative language of France, the French-speaking village made it possible to discover the pavilions presenting the different cultures. We were also able to listen to the musical notes at the Francophonie festival or enjoy the FrancoTech innovation fair where 1,500 professionals, heads of state and delegations and entrepreneurs gave pride of place to economic exchanges and innovation. technological.
Great victory
This is undoubtedly Ontario’s great victory during this summit: having highlighted its entrepreneurs during events which for the first time revolved around a summit of the Francophonie, and confirming the aphorism “Open to business” in vogue since the conservatives came to power.
Alongside Minister of Francophone Affairs Caroline Mulroney, center, several Ontario entrepreneurs participated in the Francophonie Summit. (The Assembly of the Francophonie of Ontario)
We can only appreciate the approach of promoting partnerships rather than seeking the chimeras of advanced administrative advances, but costly, for example permanent member status.
The journalist Rudy Chabannes from ONFR present on site also reported the new prospects for partnerships mentioned by Caroline Mulroney, in particular with Slovakia and Morocco.
In any case, this 19th Summit did not include any particular expectations at the political level, the Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo, having been re-elected in 2022 for a second four-year term,
Other good news
Among other good news, the 35,000 Acadians of Nova Scotia now benefit from representation in the OIF. On Saturday, the province was confirmed as an observer member of the concert of French-speaking governments.
This will be the fifth representation of a Canadian government within the OIF since the federal entity as such, Quebec, New Brunswick and therefore Ontario since 2016 are members of the French-speaking institution. .
A new era seems to be dawning. Deemed too far from French Ontario, too elitist, the OIF, without being the perfect solution, is gaining in usefulness. In Villers-Cotterêts, she demonstrated her greatest assets in any case. Enough to raise hope for Franco-Ontarians.
Sébastien Pierroz is a journalist and producer for TFO’s ONFR news franchise
