Isn’t it remarkable that Toronto is home to Ontario’s first stand-alone French-language university? Here we are at the Université de l’Ontario français. It is often abbreviated as UOF. This university marks a significant step for Franco-Ontarians.
Université de l’Ontario français officially opened on April 9 2018. The Legislative Assembly of Ontario incorporated it. However efforts to create a Francophone university in this region date back to the 1970s. The dream finally gained traction in the 2010s.
In 2014 several Franco-Ontarian groups recommended establishing such a university. A private member’s bill was introduced in 2015. It aimed to make this vision a reality. The bill unfortunately failed to pass.
A report highlighted the insufficient Francophone post-secondary education. It recommended establishing a university in Greater Toronto. A planning committee was formed in 2016. It included members from Ryerson University. Members from the University of Toronto were also present. The president of TFO joined them. Members from Franco-Ontarian organizations contributed as well.
The Université de l’Ontario français Act received royal assent in December 2017. It formally went into effect in April 2018. The university appointed its first board of governors then. Normand Labrie became the interim president in July 2018. Professor André Roy succeeded him in August 2020. He resigned for personal reasons in February 2021. Denis Berthiaume and Edith Dumont served as interim co-presidents. Pierre Ouellette was appointed president in June 2021. Paul Rouleau became chancellor in October 2021.
After the 2018 election funding became a political issue. The Progressive Conservative government planned to cancel funding. Amanda Simard crossed the floor in protest. In September 2019 an agreement was reached. The governments of Ontario and Canada would provide funding. They pledged C$126 million over eight years.
The Université de l’Ontario français offered its first program in September 2019. It was a pedagogy program for Collège La Cité faculty. The university issued its first graduate certificates. In 2021 the university received only 19 applications from Ontario students. This was much lower than expected. 151 full-time undergraduate students enrolled in September 2021. Enrollment has increased since then. The university saw growth from 2021 to 2023.
In 2023 there were 233 students. Nearly a third were in the Bachelor of Education program. Initially most students were international. In 2023 about 50 percent of students were from Canada.
The Université de l’Ontario français is located in downtown Toronto. It sits near Lake Ontario’s shoreline. The campus is at 9 Lower Jarvis Street. It leases space within a high-rise building. The space is 4654 square meters.
The university’s governance has two bodies. There is the Board of Governors. There is also the Senate. The Board governs and manages the university. The Senate handles academic and education policy.
French serves as the primary language of instruction. It is Ontario’s first stand-alone Francophone university. Students must have three years of French studies. Alternatively they can pass a French proficiency test.
The university offered four Bachelor of Social Science degree programs in 2022. The university launched its Bachelor of Education program in January 2023.
The Université de l’Ontario français is more than just a university. It is a symbol of the Franco-Ontarian community’s resilience. It is a testament to their dedication to preserving their language and culture.