A commitment rooted in our mission
Our university has a unique responsibility. It is mandated by law to develop French culture in Ontario and to meet the needs of Francophone communities, while looking to the future. But thinking of the future requires acknowledging a basic reality: French Ontario is multifaceted, diverse and highly inclusive. In a minority setting, this diversity isn’t just a distinctive trait — it’s a lifeforce. It enriches our teaching and research environments, energizes our institutions and broadens our collective horizons. Celebrating these many facets is affirming that the Francophonie is built on a crossroads of different paths and the contributions of all. It’s recognizing that its future depends on our ability to unite, engage in dialogue and evolve together.
A changing community
The diverse, inclusive University of Ottawa community thus finds itself in an enviable position to help enrich Francophone communities in all fields of knowledge, here in the National Capital Region, across Canada and even around the world.
In the next episode of the Parlez-moi de l’Ontario français podcast, Luisa Veronis, a professor at uOttawa’s Department of Geography, and Alain Dobi, director of the Francophone Immigration Network for central-southwest Ontario since 2006, explain how demographic changes in Ontario have transformed the face of the French fact in Ontario. Immigrants don’t just contribute by boosting numbers. They are fully involved in supporting services in French and enriching our environment through their diverse expertise, experience, speech, histories and visions.
You can’t say it enough: in a minority setting, this diversity isn’t a luxury. It’s essential for our communities’ dynamism and sustainability, and even requires us to rethink our policies. Beyond targets and indicators, there remains a moral imperative: we must foster integration, a real sense of belonging and growth for those who choose French Ontario as a place to live.
“The future of the Francophonie depends on our ability to unite, engage in dialogue and evolve together.”
Yves Pelletier
— Associate Vice-President, Francophonie
Choosing French in a university environment
We are blessed to work in a bilingual milieu where all can express themselves in the official language of their choice. In the knowledge sector, where the culture of scholarship often favours publication in English, choosing to create and disseminate knowledge in French is an act of conviction and responsibility. It’s how we ensure genuine access to education, services, resources and professional expertise in Francophones’ own language. Continuing to create, teach and collaborate is a way to contribute not only to a vital Francophone environment, but also to the rich, diverse scholarly and social environment we live in.
Concrete action on campus
On campus, we have a duty to contribute to this reflection and to take concrete action. Through program, course and service offerings, through research, teaching and our community partnerships, we help construct a Francophone space where all can see themselves reflected and grow. Welcoming diversity in the Francophone community is more than just opening the door. It’s creating the conditions for success, recognition and participation.
The Mois de la Francophonie allows us to bring forth this vision, one of a Francophonie that doesn’t define itself by one model but by the intersection of multiple journeys. A Francophonie that embraces its complexity and turns it into a strength. A Francophonie where everyone can feel at home.
In this spirit, we celebrate together the rich future of French at the University of Ottawa.
Learn more about Mois de la Francophonie programming and take part all month in the activities offered!
Have a great Mois de la Francophonie!
Yves Y. Pelletier, PhD
