Newmarket celebrated the contributions of its Franco Ontarian citizens on its fourth annual Franco Ontario Flag Day Sept. 25.
The Franco Ontario flag was raised at Peace Park on Cane Parkway yesterday in ceremony attended by civic dignitaries, supporters and the local organizing committee.
The flag day — the 10th in Ontario — was celebrated in communities across the province, according to organizing committee lead Sylvie Lessard.
Due to restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, this year's event did not include local schools, she added.
The full text of the speech read by MC Sylvie Lessard at the Sept. 25 ceremony is below:
Bonjour et bienvenue à tous. Je m’appelle Sylvie Lessard et je suis heureuse d’être votre de maitre de cérémonie pour cette célébration aujourdhui ou nous allons hisser le drapeau franco ontarien pour la 4eme fois ici a Newmarket .
On this fourth anniversary of the flag-raising in Newmarket, I’m thrilled to be the MC for this occasion, accompanied by my fellow residents, in a town of Movers and Shakers! More on that in a minute as I introduce them and celebrate them today. If you hear your name, I invite you to raise your hand.
Bienvenue au Maire John Taylor, Councillor Bizanz, Sarah Campbell of the office of MP Tony Van Bynen, M. Yves Levesques, executive director of AFOCSC, M. Maxime Papillon school trustee pour le Conseil Monavenir, community members…Je vais maintenant en profiter pour remercier les personnes qui ont fait en sorte que ce soit possible de célébrer en communauté aujourd’hui durant ces temps extraordinaire ou les rencontres en groupe sont limités…et aussi nos amis qui nous appui. Si vous entendez votre nom pendant mon discours, je vous invite à lever la main.
I’d also like to welcome our friends who have joined us in the celebration today demonstrating their support. Bienvenue, M. Todd Kyle CEO of the Newmarket Library, M. Paul Dutton, CEO of snapd Inc., Mme. Juliane McTavish owner of Holliswealth, and community members.
I would like to begin by extending my heartfelt thanks to Mayor John Taylor and the Town of Newmarket, Patricia Montgomery and Jackie Playter for making this event possible in Newmarket, especially during these extraordinary times. I am grateful to be officially recognized, in my hometown and my province. Being Franco Ontarien is more than speaking French. It is our culture. This year, we are raising the flag once again and it is especially exciting the flag has been officially recognized as one of Ontario’s symbols.
We have other notable local Franco-Ontarians you might not be aware that are also shakers and movers who I will now introduce and celebrate along with you. For example, Tracy Macgregor, the president of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, was raised by a French-Canadian mother and English father, celebrating Franco traditions at home. Tracy sends her regrets as the chamber's AGM is at the same time.
Continuing with this theme, je remercie Monsieur Todd Kyle CEO of the Newmarket library, as well. The library has once again supported us by having a display when you walk in.
Je souhaite la bienvenue, a Mme Betty Durocher, the first school board trustee and the one responsible for getting us the first building for our elementary school and starting the first high school with seven students housed in an English school.
Also, Bienvenue a M. Yves Levesque, who became the next school board trustee, and responsible for the building of our first high school, and bringing an elementary school to East Gwillimbury. He is now the executive director of AFOCSC and he will be sharing a few words on behalf of the French community today. He is accompanied by the current school trustee, M. Maxime Papillon. M. Lévesque was directly responsible for bringing the French Language high school in Aurora and the French language Catholic school to East Gwillimbury.
Bienvenue a Mme Anita LaPrairie, one of the original teachers of the original French school that started right here in Newmarket. Anita just retired after 40 years teaching, 38 of the years in York Region!
J’invite le maire John Taylor. Mayor Taylor, I’d like to offer you a franco-Ontarian mask, courtesy of Educot-Entrepot, a business in Aurora, who has teamed up with a Franco Ontarian artist Marc Keelan-Bishop in celebration of today, as well as a pin.
Thank you, Mayor. Now I’d like to invite Sarah Campbell to say a few words on behalf of MP Van Bynen. We also have a mask for the MP Van Bynen.
J’invite M. Levesque à partager quelque mots avec nous. Following M Levesques words, we will raise the flag while listening to the official Franco Ontarien song.
