History
History of the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario, Conseil régional des Mille-Îles
1973
Since 1973, ACFO Mille-Îles has been actively supporting local initiatives and implementing actions to foster community development. All has begun with the efforts of Denis Brisebois, who Implemented the foundational steps for the community’s growth and success. In 1973, ACFO – Conseil régional Ontario-Sud section Est was established, encompassing the entire area from Brockville to Oshawa. In 1976, the name has changed for ACFO – Conseil régional des Mille-Îles, and by 1984, its territory was redefined to its current boundaries, spanning from Brockville to Belleville.
1974
in 1974, the regional ACFO advocated for the establishment of a French-language elementary school in Kingston, what the community will obtain with the contributions of individuals and organizations of that time.
1979
In 1979, the regional ACFO supported a project to create a French-language daycare, which later became “La Garderie éducative de Kingston”.
1978 - 1982
Between 1978 and 1982, ACFO provided support for the development of the Centre social et culturel Frontenac, now better known as the Centre culturel Frontenac.
1985 - 1987
From 1985 to 1987, ACFO, in collaboration with other Francophone organizations, offered a summer camp program for children aged 5 to 12, known as Camp Franco-Soleil.
1990
In 1990, ACFO defended Francophones in the case against municipal unilingualism in Kingston, Trenton, and Belleville. As a result, none of these cities declared themselves unilingual English.
1991
In 1991, ACFO Mille-Îles applied for and received funding to launch a French literacy program in Kingston and supported the creation of the temporary committee that led to the establishment of the Centre d’alphabétisation et d’éducation pour les adultes La Route du Savoir, now known as the Centre de formation pour adultes La Route du Savoir.
ACFO also provided significant support for the establishment of the Centre scolaire-communautaire during the 1990s. This site housed the Centre culturel Frontenac, the Croque-Soleil daycare, and the École secondaire catholique Sainte-Marie-Rivier until 2023.
ACFO Mille-Îles also played a role in the establishment of French-language schools in the region, particularly in Merrickville, Brockville, Kingston, and Trenton.
This list of ACFO’s achievements over the years is only partial. The results achieved have had and continue to have a positive influence on our entire Francophone community and Francophones seeking to grow and succeed in their language.
Today, ACFOMI continues to fulfill its mission of advocating for French-language services for the local population. As proof, our Association was the one that, for thirteen long years, strived to make the Kingston region a designated area under the Ontario French Language Services Act. During this time, continuous analysis of French-speaking population statistics was carried out, strategies were developed, and meetings with local political leaders and ministries were held.
2005
In February 2005, the situation gained fresh momentum when the provincial MP for Kingston and the Islands, the Honorable John Gerretsen, presented a formal request for the designation of Kingston. The determination of Madeleine Meilleur, the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, combined with interventions by the local MPP and the work of the Office of Francophone Affairs, helped make this designation request a reality for the local Francophone community
2006
Finally, in May 2006, the Francophone community had reason to celebrate, as the Kingston region obtained the status of a designated area under Ontario’s French Language Services Act. This designation indicated that, starting May 1, 2009, various provincial government offices in Kingston would offer French-language services to the French-speaking public. This designation recognized the significant presence of a French-speaking community and their right to receive services in their mother tongue from the Government of Ontario.
2009
Since May 1, 2009, Kingston has been one of the designated areas under the French Language Services Act (FLSA) of the Ontario government, becoming the 25th designated region in Ontario.
Since then, ACFOMI has actively worked with local actors to inform them of their obligations under the Ontario French Language Services Act.
2010
During this time, ACFOMI also began offering services that were not previously available to Francophones. Starting in 2010, the Association was designated to provide employability services in French, and ACFOMI began offering services dedicated to the integration of immigrant newcomers. These programs complement ACFOMI’s ongoing efforts to meet the needs of the French-speaking communities in the Thousand Islands region.
