“It’s actually quite rare that one law affects all aspects and activities of the Ontario government. The bill that we are considering today affects the ministry, agencies, councils, commissions, institutions, as well as the full range of broader public sector organizations.[...]It is not an exaggeration to say that the entire country will be following our debate closely. I am sure it will demonstrate that we all believe in equality and fair treatment for all Ontarians whether they speak English or French. Guaranteeing the right to receive services in French constitutes a major administrative challenge.” — Bernard Grandmaître, from his presentation of Bill 8, the French Language Services Act, to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario July 9, 1986.
Bernard Grandmaître had been a minister in the David Peterson cabinet for only two weeks when he presented a bill to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario that would become a bedrock of language justice in the province. He was also making history as Ontario’s first minister of Francophone affairs.
Ontario’s French Language Services Act guarantees Franco-Ontarians the right to receive government services in French in designated regions. At the University of Ottawa, this law protects undergraduate French-language program offerings and governs services offered to students.
Grandmaître’s legacy extends beyond the legislature: he is often described as the “father” of this law, and thanks to his visionary leadership, cultural institutions and Francophone services have been able to develop to ensure the community’s vitality. The University of Ottawa bestowed an honorary doctorate on Grandmaître in 2011 to highlight his exceptional contribution to the Francophone community.
The University wishes to pay tribute to Grandmaître, who passed away October 28. A tireless fighter and true political legend, he led a life of service to the Francophone community.
To mark Bernard Grandmaître’s funeral and passing, flags at the University will fly at half mast from November 24 to 26, a sign of respect and mourning. The University of Ottawa joins with the Franco-Ontarian community in this shared act of profound gratitude.