Cities across Canada enriched by French-speaking districts

by Daviel Lazure Vieira, Châteauguay, Châteauguay Quebec

The Francophonie is alive and well throughout Canada. While it shares a single language, it is also characterized by the many different influences in each region. From the Métis tradition in Manitoba to Acadian culture near Moncton, this language is the portrait of a multicultural nation that shares similar values to attitudes that are peaceful, welcoming and proud all at the same time.

Here is an overview of some of Canada’s successful and dynamic Francophone communities.

Bonnie Doon: Edmonton’s French quarter

In Edmonton, the Bonnie Doon (in French only) area is different from the other neighbourhoods in Alberta’s capital. Initially clustered around the parish of Saint-Joachim, the population later moved south, and the Francophones of the region settled around Marie-Anne-Gaboury Street. In this same area can be found the University of Alberta and the Cité francophone (in French only), which is home to a significant number of associations and groups. The UniThéâtre (in French only), the Librairie Le Carrefour bookstore and the Le Franco newspaper have been located there for a number of years, and people of all ages frequent this centre of the Edmonton Francophone community. A little farther away, the Centre culturel Marie-Anne-Gaboury (in French only) hosts cultural events. Bonnie Doon is more than just a collection of buildings; it is a meeting place for everyone who wants to share the culture.

An historic neighbourhood

In Winnipeg, the Saint-Norbert French-speaking community is the gateway to the capital of Manitoba. Entreprises Riel, a private not-for-profit group, recently proposed a $105,000 project to install bilingual signage in Saint-Norbert, one of the major hubs of the Francophone Riel district. This area also includes the Saint-Boniface French quarter, near the cathedral. This part of Winnipeg played a central role in the history of the province: this is where Archbishop Taché and Louis Riel laid the foundation of what would become the city of Winnipeg. Saint-Boniface has an undeniable historic character and is home to some significant communities. It is also the engine of the local culture, with Métis dance and music groups. The Cercle Molière, the oldest active theatre troupe in Canada, has just begun construction of its new theatre, demonstrating that the French-speaking community is continuing to grow.

A cultural centre in Sudbury

Sudbury has one of the largest Francophone populations in Ontario, especially near the older districts of Rayside-Balfour. This is one of the major cultural centres in the region. Institutions such as the Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario and the Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario give local artists an opportunity to express themselves in the visual and performing arts, and present exhibitions and performances throughout the year. Publisher Prise de parole (in French only) provides a forum for Franco-Ontarian authors by publishing everything from essays to novels to poetry to children’s literature. These opportunities for artistic expression have led to burgeoning youth talent, such as the three young adults behind the television show Les pieds dans la marge (in French only), which is now broadcast across Canada.

A new introduction to Francophone culture in Toronto

South of Sudbury, in Toronto, the Association des communautés francophones de l’Ontario (in French only) has developed a circuit of local Francophone culture. Every year, the Théâtre français de Toronto presents exceptional works from an international, national and regional repertoire, while the boutique La Congolaise (in French only) offers African-inspired products and allows you to discover the food, music and theatre of southern Africa. This is a dynamic community that is determined to wear its colours with pride.

Dieppe, at the heart of New Brunswick’s history

Dieppe, in the Moncton region, is the largest Acadian city in the world, and is central to New Brunswick’s history, with its unique heritage (including numerous churches, former convents and schools) and its resolutely modern side. Dieppe and its sister city in France take turns presenting the annual Dieppe International Festival of Kites, a global event that showcases the diversity of the participating countries and the host cities while encouraging the development of talented youth in the region. The Salon du livre de Dieppe, which is held annually in October, gives visitors the opportunity to meet authors from Acadia, Quebec and elsewhere in the Francophonie, and to share the similarities and differences of each nation.

Photo Credits

3. Credit: City of Greater Sudbury

4. Credit: Nir Bareket

5. Credit: Ville de Dieppe