Media

OTTAWA, November 15, 2011  —  The University of Ottawa’s Faculty of law will host a major conference November 17 and 18 marking the 25th anniversary of the French Language Services Act.

The conference, whose theme is “Our Rights, Our Actions, Our Future,” will bring together a hundred participants, including Francophone leaders, researchers, legal experts and senior public servants, to look back on the French Language Services Act and to reflect on its future. The symposium will also look at future prospects for French–language immigrants, including their integration into Franco–Ontarian society.

Twenty–five panellists will discuss five different topics:
• the role of the Act and of the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner
• reasons for requesting services in French
• reasons to love the new Franco–Ontarian community
• reasons to request designation as a French–language services provider
• avenues for the future

Conference on 25 Years of the French Language Services Act*
When: Thursday, November 17, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, November 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Desmarais Building, 12th Floor, University of Ottawa (55 Laurier Avenue East)

25 Years of the French Language Services Act Gala*
When: Thursday, November 17, 7 p.m.
Where: National Arts Centre (53 Elgin Street, Ottawa)

*This event is for university researchers, legal experts and the general public. The media is invited to attend the conference and the Gala.

The following distinguished guests will take part in these discussions:
• François Boileau, French Language Services Commissioner
• The Honourable Bernard Grandmaître, former minister responsible for the adoption of the French Language Services Act
• Allan Rock, president, University of Ottawa
• Denis Vaillancourt, president, Assemblée de la francophonie
• Jacinthe Desaulniers, French Language Health Services Network of Eastern Ontario
• Denis Hubert–Dutrisac, Collège Boréal
• Raymond Lemay, Valoris for Children and Adults of Prescott–Russell
• Max Cooke, Canadian Parents for French and French for the Future

This event is a joint presentation of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner, the Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario (AJEFO) and GroupeMédia TFO, with the support of the Office of Francophone Affairs.