
CORNWALL – For a third year in a row, a person’s name is not being added to Cornwall’s monument recognizing local French Canadians.
The last two years were postponed due to the pandemic and former ACFO president Dianne Poirer said the same was likely to happen this year.
“As you’re aware COVID-19 has changed many things,” Poirer said in an email to Cornwall Newswatch and suggested news “to clarify the status of Pomenade d’honneur” would be coming. The honour is usually bestowed upon someone in the month of September.
The last recipient was North Lancaster teacher Georgette Sauve in 2019.

The Cornwall Francophonie monument on Water Street near the Cornwall Curling Center is dedicated to all French Canadians who have contributed to the social, cultural and economic fabric of Cornwall. It started on Sept. 12, 2010.
While this is Franco-Ontarian Day (Sept. 25), the city’s two French-speaking high schools celebrated Friday with a march to the monument, a flag raising and then music at the bandshell.
The following is a statement from Ontario Francophone Affairs Minister Caroline Mulroney:
“I am pleased to join all of you in celebrating September 25, Franco-Ontarian Day. This symbolic day celebrates the dynamism, creativity and knowhow of the province’s Francophone community.
Francophones have been present in Ontario for over 400 years, and have always played an important role in the evolution of Ontario society. Whether they are from here or elsewhere, everyone who identifies with Ontario’s Francophonie contributes to our province’s cultural wealth and economic growth.
This Francophone community deserves an environment that is conducive to its development so that it can continue to participate actively in the province’s prosperity. The Government of Ontario is capitalizing on the recent modernization of the French Language Services Act and Francophone economic development to support our community’s momentum. By working to improve access to French language services and increase the number of skilled Francophone and bilingual workers, Francophones will flourish.
We celebrate September 25 in our schools, in our public spaces and on the grounds of Queen’s Park. This day is an opportunity for our government to honour the members of our Franco-Ontarian family and thank them for their dedication and determination to make our province a place that reflects their ambitions, interests and values. I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Franco-Ontarian Day!”