Who better than Franco-Ontarian comedian and uOttawa alumna Katherine Levac to chat about Francophone culture in Ontario on September 25?
1. What does it mean to be Franco-Ontarian?
For me, being Franco-Ontarian isn’t just about speaking French in Ontario, but also loving the language and sharing it. It means consuming music, movies and TV in French. It means raising children, working and even arguing – all in French.
2. Is there a unique Franco-Ontarian reality?
The reality of being Franco-Ontarian is to feel different from the rest of Ontario and from Quebec. The real challenge for Franco-Ontarians is to find their place and take it.
3. You chose to continue your studies in French, here at uOttawa. Why?
I chose to continue my studies in French because, well, you can’t study French literature in English. Also because my entire education had been in French, I am French, and I want to live and work in French. It was an obvious choice to continue my studies in the language.
4. Why do you change your shows in Ontario?
I simply modify some reference points in order to be understood. I’ll replace names of towns like Boisbriand with Cornwall. I also do it for my own enjoyment.
5. Your Franco-Ontarian faves?
Comedian
- Alexandre Bisaillon. He’s a redhead from Vanier: how can you not love him?
Artist
- Éric Charlebois. A guy with a high level of sensitivity, no BS, just real.
Town
- I have no choice but to say St-Bernardin: 300 people, 5,000 cows.
- I also have a thing for Alexandria – the chicken wings at Atlantic are good!
Tradition
- I still wear green and white on September 25, even though I am in Quebec. Not many people notice!
Franco-Ontarian song that played in elementary school
- Mon beau drapeau will forever remain the hit of my school years. I’m sure I’m not the only one who really tried to hit the notes at the “levons-le! Ce beau drapeau!!! Hissons-le! Toujours plus haut! PLUS HAAAUT” part of the song.
Other jewels we should discover in Ontario
- There is a comedy night on Tuesdays at Minotaure. It's in Hull but the artists are often Franco-Ontarians and the host, Patrik Guillotte, is from Kapuskasing.
- The University of Ottawa improvisation league, LIEU, performs in the University Centre on Thursday nights.
- L'Acronyme, the adult improvisation league, performs at l’Institut canadien-français d’Ottawa in the Byward Market on Fridays.
- The Shenkman Arts Centre is where many comedians (such as myself and my funny friends) perform. All great people to discover.