Nickel Belt MPP pushes for French university

The New Democrat MPP for Nickel Belt is taking the first step towards creating a Franco-Ontarianuniversity.

France Glinas has introduced a bill to create the Universit de l'Ontario franais.

She said there is currently limited access to university programs in French. She said the Franco-Ontarian community presently governs a network of 450 primary and secondary schools, 12 school boards and two community colleges, but French-speaking Ontarians have limited access to university programs in French.

"We are turning a page of history today," she said."A bill has been tabled. It will be in the archives of this province forever, and this is the beginning of a new chapter."

Glinas said the university would likely have multiple campuses, so it could be accessible across the province.

She acknowledged there is a French language university in northeastern Ontario, Universit de Hearst, but said a Franco-Ontarianuniversity would be mandated to offer a full range of university degrees and programs in French.

"The Universit de Hearst does not have the mandate to do this," she said. "Their board of governors that created them for a purpose, and the purpose is not to be a university for the entire province."