A permanent Franco-Ontarian flag was raised at the Lionel E. Lalonde Centre in Azilda on Monday morning in celebration of St-Jean-Baptiste Day.
The flag joins various others raised at various locations throughout Greater Sudbury in the past 20 years, including Tom Davies Square, James Jerome Sports Complex, Centre de santé communautaire, Pioneer Manor and various others.
Last year’s flag raising took place at Centennial Arena and Community Centre in Hanmer.
"I'm proud to take part in this special annual tradition that recognizes the rich French culture of our community," Mayor Paul Lefebvre said in a media release issued by the city.
"The flag is a symbol of our commitment to the city’s francophone heritage and is an important reminder of our dedication to nurturing our bilingual identity through the delivery of municipal services.”
The annual flag raising is co-hosted with the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario (ACFO) du grand Sudbury, and serves as a celebration of the city’s Franco-Ontarian roots.
"As an advocate for francophones in our community, I am delighted to witness the continuation of the annual flag-raising tradition," ACFO Sudbury executive director Joanne Gervais said in the city’s media release.
"The presence of a symbol that Franco-Ontarians recognize and value is vital in fostering a sense of belonging. It solidifies our presence and underscores our cultural pride."
The Franco-Ontarian flag was created by Gaétan Gervais, Michel Dupuis and a group of students at Laurentian University. It was first raised at the University of Sudbury and was officially recognized as the emblem of the Franco-Ontarian community in 2001. In 2020, it became an official emblem of Ontario.
