GREENSTONE — A decision has been reached in the ongoing Franco-Ontarian flag dispute.
The back-and-forth between Greenstone’s council, administration, and the local Francophone community seems to have reached a head at the regular council meeting held on Monday, with council passing a motion to maintain their new flag policy and restrict flying of the Franco-Ontarian flag to one week in September.
Coun. Vicky Budge – who previously spoke out against council’s decision to reverse the year-round flying of the Franco-Ontarian flag – put forth an amendment to council’s original motion by suggesting council accept ‘option two’ in the CAO’s report.
She also expressed her disappointment with the motion that was initially put forth.
“I’m very lost for words right now . . . it’s really disheartening to hear what the recommendation was. However, option number two – to establish two flagpoles, one for the Franco-Ontarian flag and one for the Every Child Matters flag . . . I think that this would represent the two parties that are in question and, should another group want their flag put up that could be completely up to the municipality, it could be on any one of the poles. I think it’s a great option for everyone,” Budge said.
She ultimately withdrew her amendment and proposed a full reinstatement of the Franco-Ontarian flag 365 days a year.
However, Budge’s second proposed amendment was defeated.
The original motion – directing staff to make no amendments to the flag protocol – was ultimately passed by council following a long discussion.
The motion also includes direction for municipal staff to look at amending a by-law under the municipal grants and resource allocation policy and possibly provide financial support for annual Franco-Ontarian festivals; a consideration of signage in multiple languages when designing new playgrounds and for local arenas; and develop a report back on the feasibility of forming an advisory committee on the matter.
Similar to Budge, Coun. Alan Ouellet shared his frustration, condemning the motion and warning his fellow councillors that all eyes are on Greenstone in this case.
“The fact that this is cultural representation, that it’s a flag – aside from that statement, the message we’re sending our residents is, ‘don’t bother fundraising, don’t bother getting together and lobbying us for change because if we can’t afford to do what you want for everybody else, we’re not going to do it, plain and simple’ and that’s wrong.
“When we have a collective group that is willing to put their best foot forward to help support something they’d like to see in their community and for us to blatantly turn it down with little to no engagement it’s enraging. I don’t have the words to put forward how disgusted I am with what’s transpired here.
“This will become a stain on the history of Greenstone at the provincial and national level. It is teetering right on the line of discrimination,” Ouellet said.
In a statement released to the media, the Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario (AFNOO) once again denounced the decision made by Greenstone’s council and administration.
“We, the Association des francophones du Nord-Ouest de l'Ontario, find this decision unacceptable and reprehensible. It shows a lack of respect for Franco-Ontarian history and cultural identity.
“The Franco-Ontarian flag is a powerful symbol of our presence, resilience and contribution to this province. To reject it in this way is to ignore and despise a significant part of Greenstone's population," they stated.
Council previously heard a deputation from AFNOO representatives in March.
They pleaded with council and administration to reconsider the new flag policy and reinstate the flag as a mark of cultural heritage and representation.
In the end, CAO Mark Wright addressed council at their most recent meeting, highlighting what makes this conflict uniquely meaningful and reiterating why the new flag policy makes the most sense for Greenstone.
He also implored his fellow members of council to consider what the flag means for First Nations communities in the region and how some may not have the same resources available to prioritize and mobilize like the Francophone community.
“Flags are incredibly important. It’s why you’re here tonight discussing this. It’s incredibly important to everyone but at the same time we can’t expect everyone when they’re having to address other matters to come out and say, ‘this is important to me, please fix this.’
“When some of the communities are dealing with basic issues such as housing, addictions, and crime – and we’ve heard this again and again and again. By the way, some of these communities have actually stated, ‘Where is our flag? We don’t feel welcome here.’ But it shouldn’t be about that – this is a decision of council about what is right, what is ultimately right given all of the different pressures that we have as a municipality. That’s what this ultimately comes down to,” Wright said.
