THUNDER BAY -- Three Franco-Ontarian groups in the North are expressing their disappointment, at being excluded from the development of the province's first French-language university.
The Association of Francophones of Northwestern Ontario, or AFNOO, has joined with French language groups in Northeastern Ontario in writing a letter of protest to advanced education minister Deb Matthews over the issue.
The province has said the focus of such a proposed university, is to service the growing needs of Francophone immigrants in Southwestern Ontario.
AFNOO interim director general François Hastir said the need in Northern Ontario is just as great.
“In Northern Ontario, we are looking more and more for Francophone immigrants as well,” Hastir said.
“We have a lot of job opportunities that look for qualified experienced workers and Francophone workers can help with that as well and we feel that even if the university is situated in Toronto it would be interesting to have an active offer of online French courses.”
Hastir added that the province's committee on French Language post-secondary education includes no Northern representatives.
(TBT News)
