FrancoNoir.e Kick-off Event

Please join us for our kick-off event: La Francophonie en Ontario - Portrait of a Growing Diversity; langage, culture, identité, intégration et inclusion.

On November 19, 2021, FrancoNoir.e made its introduction as an employee group in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) dedicated to addressing the social challenges and employment barriers facing Black communities in the OPS and advocating for a more inclusive and tolerant Francophone community within the province. Since then, we have received overwhelming positive feedback and support from OPS staff, senior leaders and the Francophone and the Black community. FrancoNoir.e is grateful that even the physical distance caused by the pandemic did not deter us from coming together to build upon our mutual efforts toward the advancement of a more equitable Ontario.

Outside of the province of Quebec, Ontario has the largest French-speaking community in Canada. In addition, the Francophone community in Ontario has become increasingly diverse due to the influx of Francophone immigrants from various parts of the world – notably from Africa and the Caribbean. Furthermore, the introduction of the Inclusive Definition of Francophones (IDF) by the Government of Ontario has broadened the definition of Francophone to “include individuals whose mother tongue is neither French nor English, but have a particular knowledge of French as an Official Language and use French at home.”

We cordially invite you to attend FrancoNoir.e’s virtual kick-off event to learn about the transformation of the Francophone community in Ontario towards a more representative and inclusive community. Please note that you don’t have to be a Francophone or racialized person to attend our Kick-off event. It is open to everyone. 

FrancoNoir.e Kick-off Event

Online | Friday January 28, 2022 | Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Space is limited. 

We will also take this opportunity to talk about the transformation of the Francophone community in Ontario towards a more representative and inclusive community as it pertains to the conceptions of identity and acceptance – promotion of linguistic duality and cultural diversity. 

Our kick-off event will be in both French and English to ensure a safe platform where our speakers and participants are comfortable communicating in either language.

Please join the kick-off to:

• Know more about FrancoNoir.e – our Vision, Mission, and Objective
• Learn about moving Anti-discrimination and Anti-racism forward in the OPS
• Hear an overview of the current state of the Francophone community in Ontario and the relevance of the      Inclusive Definition of Francophone (IDF)
• Learn about the promotion  of a more inclusive and diverse Francophone community in the OPS and  across the province. 

Do not miss this event which also features a superb lineup of OPS leaders in Diversity, Inclusion and Equity:

Michelle DiEmanuele: Secretary of the Cabinet, Cabinet Office

Barbara Duckitt: Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services

Carlene Alexander: Deputy Minister, Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility

Marie-Lison Fougère: Deputy Minister, Ministry of Francophone Affairs

FrancoNoir.e. is here to be an accountable, professional, and dynamic resource for everyone looking to engage with the Francophone culture. As we move forward, we promise to curate insightful programs, thoughtful and fulfilling events, and create opportunities for our members while promoting linguistic duality, promoting and celebrating Black Francophone achievement, culture and diversity.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday, January 28, 2022!

Thank you,

Team FrancoNoir.e