Franco-Ontarian Day
Every September 25, we celebrate Francophone pride in Ontario. This day traces its roots back to 1975, when the green and white flag, adorned with a trillium and a fleur-de-lis, was first raised at the University of Sudbury. This symbol quickly became a key marker of identity for the Francophone community.
Over the decades, it has accompanied pivotal moments, such as the fight for French-language schools and the historic mobilization to save Montfort Hospital in 1997. Officially recognized as a provincial emblem in 2001, the flag paved the way for even greater recognition: in 2010, the Legislative Assembly proclaimed September 25 as Franco-Ontarian Day.
Today, this day celebrates the culture, language, and contributions of Francophones to Ontario’s vitality—a chance to come together, share, and affirm our identity!
New in North Bay: a permanent flagpole
On July 8, 2025, the City of North Bay unanimously agreed to install a permanent flagpole to raise the Franco-Ontarian flag in front of City Hall, in collaboration with Les Compagnons des francs loisirs. This historic decision, adopted during the city’s centennial and the flag’s 50th anniversary, highlights local pride in this emblem created here, notably by Michel Dupuis, a native of the region.