September 21st, 2016

Toward the Université de l’Ontario français

The MPP for Nickel Belt, and NDP critic for Francophone affairs, France Gélinas, re-introduced a bill today to create the Université de l’Ontario français - a Franco-Ontarian University.  Her previous bill passed second reading on November 19, 2015, but was lost when the Wynne Liberal government prorogued the legislature on September 9, 2016. 

After prorogation was announced, people throughout Ontario were disappointed, angry and upset that the French Language University Bill had disappeared.  Those feelings turned to a call to action once MPP Gélinas announced that she would re-introduce her bill before Franco-ontarians Day (Septembre 25). ‘’The number one priority of the Franco-Ontarian community is the creation of a French University’’ MPP Gélinas said.

The francophone community presently governs a network of 450 primary and secondary schools, 12 school boards, and two community colleges. “The creation of a Board of Governors that reports to the francophone community is the next step in Franco-Ontarian education” Gélinas said. 

The university’s mission will be to offer a full range of university degrees and programs in French and to provide French-speaking students with the opportunity to complete all of their university coursework and studies in French.