Ontario elections: Black community barely targeted, barely interested
JEAN-FRANÇOIS DUGAS
Le Droit
Francophonie, the condition of Black people and immigration: the issues that concern the Coalition of Francophone Black People of Ontario (CNFO) are slow to be addressed in this provincial election campaign, leading to a loss of interest within the community represented by the advocacy organization.
Despite the Ontario Liberal Party's election promises on Francophone affairs earlier this week, the "lack of interest in the Francophonie" irritates CNFO vice-president Patrick Auguste.
"None of the current party leaders speak French. It is truly concerning for the image of the Francophonie, because they don't even make the effort," he charges.
"The premier almost never says a word of French, even though he should do so diplomatically, but it doesn't interest him"
— Patrick Auguste, vice-president of the Coalition of Francophone Black People of Ontario
Mr. Auguste particularly points the finger at Progressive Conservative Party leader Doug Ford, who currently leads in the polls.
"The premier almost never says a word of French, even though he should do so diplomatically, but it doesn't interest him," he says.
Mr. Auguste also doubts that the premier truly pays attention to the French fact in the province, despite some corrections made during his mandate after cutting Francophone gains.
"After drastic cuts (on Black Thursday), it took a protest (in Ottawa); otherwise he would have done nothing. And even then, it was just a way to calm Franco-Ontarians," he believes, recalling that the French Language Services Commissioner's office no longer exists in the same form as before.
To that end, the Ontario New Democratic Party has promised to restore the entity's independence if elected on June 2.
"We note that the federal government has made several investments to support Black people economically, to start a business, for example, but we have seen nothing on the provincial side. It's as if we are on two different planets."
— Patrick Auguste, vice-president of the Coalition of Francophone Black People of Ontario
Black people and immigration
Mr. Auguste also deplores the lack of support for the Black community as a whole.
"We note that the federal government has made several investments to support Black people economically, to start a business, for example, but we have seen nothing on the provincial side. It's as if we are on two different planets."
Moreover, several Francophone stakeholders and leaders in minority settings claim that the future of the French fact lies with the global Francophonie, particularly immigrants from African countries. Yet Canada has struggled to attract these newcomers for 20 years, despite a federal strategy launched in 2003 to welcome more Francophones into minority settings such as Ontario.
"Chronically, the targets of Canada and (by extension) Ontario have never been met; in fact, they have been far from met. Moreover, there is no provincial initiative to improve the rate of Francophone Black immigration," Mr. Auguste criticizes.
Little interest overall
According to the CNFO vice-president, the issues that concern the Francophone Black community do not really feature in the current debate.
"We feel little affected by the current process. It's a shame because it could lower voter turnout and we would end up with an even less legitimate government."
Mr. Auguste believes the "timing" of this election also partly explains the Black community's lack of interest in the provincial democratic exercise.
"I think there is a combination of factors: spring has arrived, the easing of lockdown means people want to go out, get together, see their friends and family. We were deprived of that for a long time. I don't think people are in the mood for an election."
