Toronto, Ontario, March 20, 2026 — On this International Day of La Francophonie, celebrated worldwide under the theme “Peace Generation,” the Honourable Edith Dumont underscores the relevance and momentum sparked by the roundtable “Bridges Across the Francophonie,” held on March 17 in her Suite at Queen’s Park.
Moderated by journalist Heather Hiscox, the event convened leaders from diplomatic, media, cultural, and academic circles to reflect on how the French language fosters dialogue, builds bridges, and strengthens cultural diplomacy.
Throughout the discussions, a powerful message emerged: young people must be given genuine opportunities to meet, exchange ideas, and create together. Supporting Francophone and Francophile youth, in all their diversity, is an investment in a generation committed to the future, to solidarity, and to living together in harmony. It is also a way of bringing cultural diplomacy to life by fostering openness to others and cultivating lasting bonds.
In this context, the conversation also highlighted Africa’s significant demographic role within the global Francophonie, and that cultural diplomacy, carried forward through artistic, sporting, and institutional exchanges, fosters mutual appreciation, a deep sense of belonging, and international cooperation.
“What I felt at the end of those two hours was joy, the joy of being together and speaking about a Francophonie that is clearly very much alive,” said the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. “Being together in Toronto, an extraordinarily diverse city, reminds us that we are, in fact, connected to the entire world. I am Francophone in Ontario. I am Franco-Canadian. And I am also a Francophone of the world.”
The roundtable brought together His Excellency Appolinaire Aya, Ambassador of the Republic of the Congo to Canada; Xavier Brassard Bédard, President and Chief Executive Officer of TFO; Marie Christine Morin, Executive Director of the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française; and Dr. Jonathan Paquette, International Francophonie Research Chair on Cultural Heritage Policies chairholder at the University of Ottawa.
The full recording of the conversation is now available for those who wish to continue the reflection sparked by this event: audio recording (available in French only).
Photos from the event are also available for publication.
To learn more about the Lieutenant Governor’s initiatives, events, and priorities, please visit our website: www.lgontario.ca
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