April 30, 2009

NEWS RELEASE FROM:

Kingston Becomes The 25th Designated Area

Ontario is expanding the French-language services available to the Francophone community in the City of Kingston.

As of May 1, 2009, all Ontario government offices located in Kingston will offer French-language services in accordance with the French Language Services Act. The designation of the City of Kingston under the French Language Services Act was first announced in June 2006.

A committee made up of members from the local Francophone community and representatives of the Ontario government implemented the designation process.

QUOTES

"There is a value added when a city is able to provide bilingual provincial services. Kingston will enhance its cultural and economic profile and attractiveness."
- John Gerretsen, MPP for Kingston and the Islands.

"Enhancing the quality of French-language services promotes a real sense of belonging among Ontario's Francophones and helps fight against assimilation. The designation of Kingston is a very significant development for a community which is proud of its language and culture."
- Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.

"We are very pleased by the community's initiative and the government's willingness to see Kingston become the 25th designated area. This is an important milestone for Francophones not just in the region but throughout Ontario."
- Jeannine Proulx, Executive Director of the Thousand Islands Chapter of the Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario.

QUICK FACTS

• About 85% of Franco-Ontarians live in a designated area.
• The designation of a new area is generally based on the demographic weight of francophones in a given region. However, the desire and commitment of the community play a large role in the designation process.

Source: http://www.news.ontario.ca/ofa/en/2009/05/kingston-becomes-the-25th-designated-area.html

 

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