Franco-Ontarian

Franco-Ontarians (French: Franco-ontarien) are francophone residents of the Canadian province of Ontario. According to the 2001 Canadian census, there were 548,940 francophones in Ontario, comprising 4.8 per cent of the province's total population. Franco-Ontarians constitute the largest French-speaking community in Canada outside of Quebec, and the largest minority language group within Ontario.

Related Topics:
Francophone - Canadian - Province - Ontario - 2001 - Census - Population - Quebec

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The Franco-Ontarian population is concentrated primarily in Eastern Ontario (41.3 per cent - 226,705 francophones), in Ottawa, Cornwall and many rural farming communities, and in Northeastern Ontario (25.2 per cent - 138,585 francophones), in the cities of Greater Sudbury, North Bay and Timmins and a number of smaller towns. Other communities with notable francophone populations are Toronto, Windsor, Penetanguishene and Welland. Most communities in Ontario have at least a few Franco-Ontarian residents.

Related Topics:
Eastern Ontario - Ottawa - Cornwall - Northeastern Ontario - Greater Sudbury - North Bay - Timmins - Toronto - Windsor - Penetanguishene - Welland

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Ottawa, with 128,620 francophones, has the province's largest Franco-Ontarian community by size. Greater Sudbury, 29 per cent francophone, has the largest proportion of Franco-Ontarians to the general population among the province's major cities, although some smaller towns in fact have a francophone majority. These include Hearst, Kapuskasing, West Nipissing, St. Charles, Clarence-Rockland, Champlain, Alfred and Hawkesbury.

Related Topics:
Hearst - Kapuskasing - West Nipissing - St. Charles - Clarence-Rockland - Champlain - Alfred - Hawkesbury

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The French presence in Ontario dates to the mid-17th century. Early settlements in the area include the Mission of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons at Midland in 1649, Sault Ste. Marie in 1668, and Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit (Detroit, Michigan), located opposite Windsor, in 1701. Southern Ontario was part of the Pays d'en-haut (Upper Country) of the French regime, and later part of the Province of Quebec until Quebec was split into The Canadas in 1791.

Related Topics:
17th century - Sainte-Marie among the Hurons - Midland - 1649 - Sault Ste. Marie - 1668 - Detroit, Michigan - 1701 - Province of Quebec - The Canadas - 1791

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