Mobilization and power

The Francophone community in Ottawa is quickly confronted by an Anglophone environment that is not sensitive enough to its needs and aspirations. Its history is marked by multiple tensions with the majority. Several Ottawa politicians have made the defence of French their battleground. From the Town Hall to the Ontario Legislative Assembly and the Canadian Parliament, they vigorously insist on respect for what they consider the fundamental rights of French Canadians: to live in their language, and to transmit it to their children. Francophone organizations are also involved in the cause, supported by the press and its formidable powers of mobilization.

These individuals and organizations fight many battles, from the beginnings of Bytown to the present day. Their gains have made it possible for Francophones in the capital to have better institutional foundations in various areas of collective life. Their struggles often resonate across Canada. Consider the opposition to Regulation 17, the fight to save Hôpital Montfort, and the Movement for an officially bilingual Capital of Canada. In addition to the language question, these mobilizations reflect the very representations of the Francophone community in Ottawa, its memory, its projects, the challenges regarding its recognition, and even the values ​​that underpin the country.

 

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Jean-Robert Gauthier, member for Ottawa-East, taking part in a manifestation on Parliament Hill for bilinguism in Ontario, February 26, 1981. Published in Le Temps, vol 3, no 2, p. 4. Photo: Paul De Broeck.

Source : University of Ottawa, CRCCF, Fonds L'Association de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne (C9), Ph74-13b.

Black and white photograph of two middle-aged men. One is holding a megaphone. They are speaking to a crowd gathered for a manifestation, on Parliament Hill.
A political space is born
Black and white photograph of a crowd gathered in front of a large white wooden building, quite imposing for the period. The second floor has a balcony accessible via external staircases.
The first parliamantarians
Black and white studio photograph of a man with a mustache, wearing the Mayor’s chain of office. The photograph, oval in shape, is surrounded by a decorative frame. Name and dates are indicated.
The birth of ACFÉO
Black and white photograph of a four-storey brick building. The entrance door is topped by a tower, and two turrets are positioned at the front corners of the building. Flags float at the top of the turrets. A few men stand in front of the building; others stand on the first-floor balconies.
Fighting Regulation 17
Black and white photograph of a column of fifty young men dressed for the winter. They carry signs and banners with messages such as “Pay our Teachers” and “British Fair Play Please.” In the background, a three-storey brick building and three houses.
“The future belongs to those who fight”
Black and white photograph of five men in a shirt, vest and tie in an industrial workshop. They sit in front of imposing machines of composition, with keyboard.
The Ordre de Jacques-Cartier : secret society
Black and white photograph of nine elderly men. Five men stand at the bottom of a staircase, and four stand behind them on the second step. Eight of the men are dressed in suits and ties. The man in the centre is dressed in a black cassock and holds a cigar. One of the men in the front row leans on a cane.
Ottawa’s Francophone leaders
Black and white studio photograph, three-quarter view, of an elderly man with white hair, beard and mustache. He wears a white shirt, and pin-striped suit and tie, looking very distinguished.
Recipients of the Prix Bernard-Grandmaître
Black and white photograph of a smiling, dark-haired, middle-aged man wearing a suit and tie. He stands in front of a window with a view of high-rise buildings.
The battle of a lifetime
Photo of a man of an older man with graying hair and glasses, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and red-patterned tie. He is standing between a Franco-Ontarian and Canadian flag, smiling.
“C'est l'temps!”
Colour photograph of five middle-aged people – four men and a woman – in front of a group of demonstrators. They smile and hold placards which read, “Vos promesses, M. Davis ? C’est l’temps. On est 600 000 !” (Your promises, Mr. Davis? It’s time. There are 600,000 of us!).
Ottawa’s voice at Queen’s Park
Black and white photograph of a mature, dark-haired man wearing glasses, and a suit and tie. He is standing in front of a polling station run by two elderly women. One of them is inserting a ballot into the ballot box. In the background, other polling stations.
Working towards a French-language school board for Ottawa
Black and white photograph of two mature men wearing suits and ties. They are smiling as they lift away a cloth to unveil a plaque commemorating the inauguration of the French-language school board. One man looks directly at the camera, while the other looks to one side.
La Cité collégiale
Black and white photograph of a large, three-storey building with a skylight and many windows. Cars are parked on either side of a wide entrance. A large Cité collégiale sign is positioned in the green space leading to the entrance of the building.
Saving Hôpital Montfort
Colour photograph of a large crowd walking down a city street, demonstrating. They are carrying Franco-Ontarian flags and placards that read, “Montfort fermé : Jamais !” with the “Jamais” positioned obliquely, in stylized red letters. The six people at the front of the crowd – three men and three women, most of them older – walk with their arms linked.
The City of Ottawa’s long road to bilinguism
Colour photograph of five young people, fists raised, walking briskly, holding a banner with the slogan: "Ottawa bilingue officiellement/Officially bilingual Ottawa". Behind them, other protesters walk down the street waving flags and carrying placards.