Some personalities, among the best known of the Ontario Francophonie, have agreed to look back on this extraordinary year. They also express wishes for 2021.
Jeanne Françoise Mouè, Executive Director of La Maison d’hôtes pour femmes francophones de Toronto
For the past twenty years, Jeanne Françoise Mouè has been serving Ontario women. The year 2020 has inevitably been loaded with emotions for the director of La Maison who had to witness to loneliness and isolation
women with whom she works on a daily basis.
If the COVID-19 pandemic has put the human race to the test
, mentions Ms. Mouè, her record of the year shines despite everything by the solidarity and strength that have transpired from this challenge
.
Jeanne Françoise Mouè runs the only shelter for francophone women in Toronto.
Photo: Radio-Canada
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I am convinced that together we will come out stronger
, she insists.2021 bring us better times to work for a better, just, egalitarian and harmonious world. “,” Text “:” May 2021 bring us better times to work for a better, just, egalitarian and harmonious world. “}}” Lang = “fr”>May 2021 bring us better times to work for a better, just, egalitarian and harmonious world.
Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transport and Francophone Affairs of Ontario
Caroline Mulroney has had a particularly trying year. 2020 has been a year filled with very difficult times for all of us, but the worst time on a personal level was when my father [Mme Mulroney est la fille de l’ancien premier ministre du Canada Brian Mulroney, NDLR] was recently hospitalized
, she explains.
Caroline Mulroney is the Minister of Transport and Francophone Affairs for Ontario.
Photo : Caroline Mulroney
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Despite this difficult year, Caroline Mulroney sees a glimmer of hope at the end of the year which she hopes will materialize in 2021.2020 was the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine. […] My dearest wish is to see the end of COVID-19 “,” text “:” The best moment of 2020 has been the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine. […] My dearest wish is to see the end of COVID-19 “}}” lang = “fr”>The best moment of 2020 was the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine. […] My dearest wish is to see the end of COVID-19, she adds.
Stef Paquette, singer-songwriter
Franco-Ontarian artist Stef Paquette will turn the page on 2020 with grieving heart after the death of his great friend Louis-Philippe Dion
. Despite this moment which he considers the most difficult of the year, he consoles himself at the idea that no family member and friend has fallen ill or tested positive for COVID-19.
Stef Paquette is a Franco-Ontarian artist.
Photo: Stef Paquette
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For the year 2021, Stef Paquette wishes everyone motivation, because it starts from there that you want to get back in health or that you seek happiness
, he believes.2021 and that you reach all the goals that you give yourself in the new year. “,” Text “:” And if you lost it, I wish you to find it in 2021 and that you reach all the goals that you give yourself in the new year. “}}” lang = “fr”>And if you lost it, I wish you to find it in 2021 and that you achieve all the goals that you give yourself in the new year.
François Nono, President of the Association of Francophone Communities of Ontario of Windsor-Essex-Chatham-Kent
For François Nono, 2020 was a year of adaptation, particularly with the implementation of containment and barrier measures
. COVID-19 has forced his association to reinvent itself by performing virtual events.
One of his most beautiful moments of the year was the raising of the Franco-Ontarian flag
which took place virtually. The pandemic has indeed taken nothing away from the pride of the community whose flag was hoisted in several places in September across the province.
François Nono is president of the Association of Francophone Communities of Ontario in Windsor-Essex-Chatham-Kent.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Lisette Leboeuf
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Mr. Nono wishes all the Franco-Ontarian community of Windsor-Essex-Chatham-Kent much happiness, prosperity and above all good health
. That finally everyone can overcome the period of the pandemic by respecting the barrier measures
, he says.
Anne Vinet-Roy, President of the Association of Franco-Ontarian Teachers
The year 2020 was marked by many social struggles, including in the field of Franco-Ontarian education.What is difficult to manage is the human side of everything the education community has been going through for many months.
, says Anne Vinet-Roy. The fact that the government continues to turn a deaf ear to the real needs of the school community […] it’s exhausting and sometimes overwhelming.
Anne Vinet-Roy is the president of the Association of Franco-Ontarian Teachers.
Photo: Anne Vinet
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Despite the repercussions of the pandemic, Ms. Vinet-Roy keeps her head held high and confides that teamwork is undoubtedly a strong point within the organization
under the current circumstances.
She wishes everyone a 2021 living up to their hopes and dreams
and share his heartfelt thoughts with people for whom the holidays are difficult, for all kinds of reasons.
Michel Bénac, singer and leader of the Franco-Ontarian group LGS
For Michel Bénac, the first months of the pandemic were synonymous with the unknown. I was afraid for my children, for me, for my career
, he confides. COVID-19, however, did not prevent him from tasting the small pleasures of life.2020 was when I realized everything was going to be okay “,” text “:” My best moment in 2020 was when I realized everything was going to be okay “}}” lang = “en”>My best moment in 2020 was when I realized everything was going to be okay, adds the singer.
Michel Bénac is disguised as Santa Claus for the official clip of the song C comme ça (Fa La La), released in December 2020.
Photo : Michel Bénac
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With his family, the pandemic has forged new habits, including revisiting Halloween classics. We created new traditions that our children loved and that we will absolutely repeat
, mentions Mr. Bénac. On stage, he is also delighted to have had the chance to share his passion by offering several shows in drive-in format this year.
For 2021, Michel Bénac wishes everyone patience and good humor. Of course we haven’t come out of the woods yet, but we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel
, he reassures.
Carol Jolin, President of the Ontario Francophonie Assembly
The pandemic has not spared the community sector in Ontario. For Carol Jolin, the worst moment of 2020 was the% of our community organizations were at risk of closing their doors by the Holidays “,” text “:” survey which revealed that 11% of our community organizations were at risk of closing their doors by the Holidays “}}” lang = “fr “>survey which revealed that 11% of our community organizations were at risk of closing their doors by the holidays, he says. Conversely, his best moment wasmillion to help these same organizations “,” text “:” the fact of having been able to secure 4.5millions to help these same organizations “}}” lang = “fr”>being able to secure 4.5 million to help these same organizations.
Carol Jolin is president of the Ontario Francophonie Assembly.
Photo : Carol Jolin
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After this heartbreaking year for the community sector, Mr. Jolin shares a wish of hope. [nos organismes] can start doing 100 again% what they do best: to vibrate our beautiful Francophonie in Ontario “,” text “:” Que [nos organismes] can start again to do 100% what they do best: make our beautiful Francophonie vibrate in Ontario “}}” lang = “fr”>What [nos organismes] can start to do 100% again what they do best: make our beautiful Francophonie vibrate in Ontario, he says.
For 2021, Mr. Jolin wishes above all health. Physical health, mental health and financial health
, he lists. Get rid of COVID-19 and get back to normal life as quickly as possible.
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