Montreal should change its logo in order to systematically display its status as “French-speaking metropolis of the Americas”, suggests the committee created by the Plante administration to promote French.
The group chaired by former minister Louise Harel is inspired by Quebec City, whose graphic signature has included the slogan “L’accent d’Amérique” since 2014.
Such a change in Montreal would “affirm the French-speaking character of the city,” the committee said in a report released this week for consideration by city council. “Many cities have positioning statements or logos to express what sets them apart. »
According to the graphic proposal included in the report, the words “Francophone Metropolis of the Americas” would be inserted under “Montreal”, to the left of the red rosette which constitutes the emblem of the City.
The Plante administration did not comment specifically on this proposal. “The thoughts and recommendations set out give concrete ways to increase this influence, we will take the time to analyze each of them and we will follow up on them soon,” reacted the president of the executive committee, Dominique Ollivier, in a written statement. .
“The French language is the cement of Montreal society. It is a language of social cohesion and Montreal conviviality,” assures the committee chaired by Ms. Harel in its document, dated December 2022. “The common, unifying language is the vehicle that allows exchanges between Montrealers and Montrealers, and attracts foreigners. »
In addition to the proposed logo change, the Ville de Montréal committee on the French language also recommends giving more resources to the commissioner in charge of the same file at city hall, as well as launching projects to promote French. .
Ms. Harel and her colleagues would like municipal services to organize “a meeting of the driving forces of Montreal’s business, culture and tourism sectors, in order to promote French as a distinctive element of our economy”. “This event will support the development of a typically Montreal identity, based on the promotion of the French language, access to information and networking”, they assure.
The office of the French language commissioner of the City of Montreal has been without an incumbent since the resignation of Roseline Fréchette, last fall, after barely a year in office. His mandate was however planned for three years.
This service does not have the resources necessary for its work, suggests the committee in its report, which recommends to “give it the support necessary for the realization of its projects”. “Supporting the French Language Commissioner will enable him or her to fully assume their role by assisting them with an operational team with the required skills,” the report states.
In an interview, Louise Harel indicates that these comments refer in particular to the importance of attaching the position of commissioner to the general management of the City – rather than to the management of culture – so that its action affects the entire public service. A post will also be given to the next commissioner, Harel said.
“This is an important step that was taken by the advisory committee, chaired by Ms. Harel, which gives us the necessary solutions to strengthen the work started to increase the influence of the French language in Montreal, continued Dominique. Olivier in his written statement. It will allow us to push further the preservation of this collective heritage, our language, which defines us, enriches us and which participates in forging our identity. »
