GREENSTONE — Instead of a light, there might be a flagpole - or two - at the end of this tunnel.
At Greenstone’s regular council meeting on April 8, Coun. Vicky Budge detailed discussions she’s had with representatives from L'Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario (AFNOO) who have proposed the purchase of two flagpoles – one installed outside the municipal office in Greenstone and the other in Longlac – to fly the Franco-Ontarian flag alongside other communities' flags.
This will be a way to bolster equitable representation and assuage the recent outcry from Greenstone's Francophone community.
In exchange for covering the cost of the poles, AFNOO requested the Franco-Ontarian flag be reinstated to fly permanently.
Budge noted that nearly 25 per cent of municipalities in Ontario have opted to fly Franco-Ontarian flags – including, most recently, Sault Ste. Marie and Cornwall.
“It was brought to my attention that Greenstone was actually looked up to during their discussions, which led to them flying Franco-Ontarian flags in their regions. It’s an official emblem of Ontario and, according to Bill 182, it now flies permanently at Queen’s Park,” she added.
When concerns were raised about how long other groups’ flags would fly, Budge said it would be up to the municipality.
Mayor James McPherson said the passion surrounding the issue is “good” but a decision could not be made at the council meeting.
Instead, Budge put forth a motion to have municipal staff draft a report detailing the options available to the municipality when it comes to reinstating the flag and maintaining equitable representation with Indigenous communities along with other communities.
The report is to be brought before council at their regular council meeting on June 17.
AFNOO responded by issuing a press release in which their president, Claudette Gleeson, recognized council’s decision to wait for a report from staff and expressed her disappointment.
“We cannot let the municipality dictate our identity symbols. We should not be relegated to a lower status, even temporarily. What we want is for our flag to be there permanently, affirming our presence and our contribution to this community,” Gleeson wrote.
Further on in the release, it mentioned that AFNOO is “considering discussions with the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario (AFO) and MPPs” to escalate the matter and move things forward.
For her part, Budge closed out the discussion at Greenstone’s council meeting with a personal statement.
“I’m having a really difficult time accepting that the Franco-Ontarian flag being taken down is part of reconciliation. I am from a First Nation, I am status and I am French – I’m proud to be both,” she said.
"I don’t see how taking away from one minority is making it even for another minority group. I think it’s embarrassing. I think we are being very closely looked at. The province is watching, a lot of groups are watching. And, I think it’s really unfortunate that we are surrounding this issue around truth and reconciliation.”
