Newmarket celebrated its Francophone community today on Franco-Ontarian Day with a ceremony at Riverwalk Commons and flag raising at Fairy Lake Park.
Dignataries and students from French immersion schools in Newmarket, Aurora and East Gwillimbury attended for the speeches, singing and raising of the officially recognized Franco-Ontarian flag.
Newmarket will also light in green the Riverwalk Commons water feature and bridge in honour of the day.
"Sept. 25 is Franco-Ontarian Day, a symbolic day and a wonderful opportunity for Ontario to celebrate the significant contributions of the Franco-Ontarian community to the cultural, social, economic and political life of our province," said Caroline Mulroney, minister of francophone affairs, in a statement today.
"As Minister of Francophone Affairs, it is an honour for me to work on developing Ontario's Francophonie. The French language and our Francophone community are vital elements of our province's identity and greatly contribute to the richness and plurality of our inclusive society."
She added, "I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and determination of the members of our Franco-Ontarian family. With great passion and energy, they make Ontario a dynamic and prosperous province, open to the Francophonie and other cultures, here and abroad."
