1957

The Département de français of the Faculty of Arts was created. In 1969, it became the Département des lettres françaises, offering studies of French and French-Canadian literature. In April 2007, it was renamed the Département de français.

Département de français

1958

On October 2, 1958, the Centre de recherche en littérature canadienne-française (CRLCF), was officially created by Paul Wyczynski, a professor of French literature, who came from Poland. The CRLCF established a library and a collection of archival holdings, as well as a space for researchers to work and exchange knowledge. The centre is now the Centre de recherche en civilisation canadienne-française (CRCCF).

History of the Centre de recherche en civilisation canadienne-française (in French)

1968

The Centre for Second Language Learning was established. In 1989, it became the Second Language Institute. The institute provides special training to second-language teachers and enables both students and University staff to improve their knowledge of our official languages. Professors affiliated with the institute also conduct research on second language teaching. In July 2007, the institute was renamed the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute archival holdings

1974

The University adopted the Regulation on Bilingualism, which, in accordance with the University of Ottawa Act of 1965, aims to “further bilingualism and biculturalism and to preserve and develop French culture in Ontario.” In 2016, the regulation was revised to ensure the provision of undergraduate programs and services to students in French. 

University policies and regulations

1982

The Département de français created the Concours provincial de français, a contest meant to promote Franco-Ontarian youths’ interest in French and encourage them to pursue higher education in French.

1983

On September 25, 1975, the green and white Franco-Ontarian flag, with a fleur de lys and the Ontario trillium at its center, was raised for the first time in Sudbury. In 1983, the Franco-Ontarian flag was officially raised for the first time on the University of Ottawa’s campus.

1984

Bilingual radio station CHUO began broadcasting on cable and on campus. In 1991, it was licensed by the CRTC.   Today, CHUO aims to be “the radio station that speaks your language,” and offers programming not only in French and English, but also in other languages, including Romanian, Brazilian Portuguese and Haitian Creole.

About CHUO

1985

The Ligue d’improvisation étudiante universitaire (LIEU) was established to promote Francophone culture on campus and in the region, while developing the talent, creativity and personality of its members.

Ligue d’improvisation étudiante universitaire on Facebook  

Contact 

1986

The University welcomed its first cohorts in occupational therapy and physiotherapy programs taught in French, followed, in 1993, by master’s programs in audiology and speech language pathology in French.

History of French in health-care studies (in French) - (PDF 320 KB)

1990

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing was offered entirely in French for the first time, thanks to government grants.

History of French in health-care studies (in French) - (PDF 320 KB)

1993

The Faculty of Medicine was affiliated with the Hôpital Montfort, which offers training in French to interns and residents in family medicine. In 1996, the training was extended to French-language clerkships in obstetrics, gynecology and ambulatory care.

History of French in health-care studies (in French) - (PDF 320 KB)

1995

The Office of Francophone Affairs of the Faculty of Medicine is created, to develop training programs in French at the Faculty.

Francophone Affairs team, Faculty of Medicine

1900

Father Louis-Marie-Cyprien Le Jeune, a professor of rhetoric at the University, founded the Revue littéraire de l’Université d’Ottawa, to raise the profile of French-Canadian literature.

History of the Centre de recherche en civilisation canadienne-française  (in French)

1932

On November 21, 1932, the first edition of La Rotonde, the oldest French-language university student-run newspaper outside Quebec, was published, to give a voice to Francophone students at the University. In 1943, La Rotonde became the voice of the University’s French-language students’ association.

A brief history of La Rotonde (PDF 35.8 KB)

1936

In January 1931, four Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Gilles Marchand (University rector), Rodrigue Villeneuve, Georges Simard and Raoul Leblanc, published the Revue de l’Université d’Ottawa in French language only. In the fall of 1936, they founded the Éditions de l’Université d’Ottawa, in order to enable University researchers to be published. In 1986, the Éditions became University of Ottawa Press (UOP). UOP is Canada’s oldest French-language university press and the only bilingual university press in North America.

University of Ottawa Press

1943

In 1929, the Grey Nuns of the Cross’s École des gardes-malades d’Youville joined the University. In 1943, the school, which offered a certificate of study in French, became the School of Nursing of the University of Ottawa. In 1972, it became the School of Nursing and six years later, it joined the Faculty of Health Sciences. Since 1990, the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing is offered entirely in French.

History of French in health-care studies (in French) - (PDF 320 KB)

1848

On September 26, 1848, the College of Bytown was founded by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. From the beginning, the Catholic institution offered education in both English and French. In 1866, it became the College of Ottawa and received university status by Royal Charter. In 1889, it was elevated to the rank of university, by pontifical charter. On April 18, 1933, it became the “University of Ottawa.” In 1965, the University of Ottawa Act was enacted.

To learn more, email our archives.

1887

The Société étudiante de débats français de l’Université d’Ottawa, a student debating body, became the first French-language club on campus. Their goal is to promote oral skills and discussion of ideas in French.

Société étudiante des débats français on Facebook.