The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has celebrated its eighth annual Franco-Ontarian Day.
The celebration kicked off with a ceremony and flag raising event at the John D. Bradley Centre on Monday.
Mayor Randy Hope gave a speech to a large crowd of Francophone students. He said the Francophone community has been and will continue to be an important part of Chatham-Kent.
Minister of Francophone Affairs Marie-France Lalonde said in a provincial release that “Francophones are an integral part of our province's history and they epitomize the richness and vitality of our society."
She adds "as we commemorate the 150th anniversary of Ontario and Canada, this year's Franco-Ontarian Day has taken on a special significance for all francophones across the province. Ontario is vibrant, diverse and open to the world, thanks in no small part to its francophone community, and I invite people across the province to take this day to celebrate our francophone culture and heritage."