Following rallies in over 40 communities across Ontario this weekend, the National Farmers Union (NFU) is reaching out to the Ontario government urging respect for the improvements and culture Franco-Ontarians have contributed to our society.
“Our farming members in Ontario, and particularly our Francophone farmers, have reached out to our membership across the country because they are concerned at cuts to services and we are proud to stand in solidarity with them,” noted Katie Ward (Chiasson), NFU President. “Agricultural education is offered in French in Ontario at Boreal College, La Cité Collégiale, and the Educational and Research Farm at the Alfred Campus of the University of Guelph. We encourage expansion of postsecondary education services in French rather than an unkept promise that pulls us backward.”
"An independent Ombusdman of French language services is essential," noted Marcelle Paulin, National Farmers Union - Ontario (NFU-O) Board member from northern Ontario. “In addition to receiving and acting on complaints, an Ombudsman’s office would be able to advocate for the responsibilities and obligations that government departments including OMAFRA/MAARO have to citizens, including our Francophone farmers.”
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