French Language Services Advisory Committee

Minutes

Meeting #:

9

Date:

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Time:

6:30 P.m. - 8:30 P.m.

Location:

Electronic Participation

Present:

• Chair Neiges Sénéchal, 
• Vice-chair Mireille Brownhill, 
• Fatouma Ali-Ismail, 
• Josiane Barebereho, 
• Diane Desaulniers, 
• Katherine Dupuis, 
• Danièle Filion, 
• and Musset Pierre-Jerome 

Absent:

• Lina Nada Maach 

---

1.

Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

Members of Committee and Council, City staff, media and the general public may join the meeting with this link:

Zoom Webinar ID: 890 7796 9228

Notices and meeting information are attached to the agenda and minutes, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; personal information disclaimer for correspondents and public speakers; notices regarding minutes; and remote participation details.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

The deadline to register to speak by phone or email, or submit written comments or visual presentations is 4 pm on the day of the meeting.

2.

Declarations of Interest

No Declarations of Interest were filed.

3.

Confirmation of Minutes

3.1

FLSAC Minutes 8 – 11 September 2025

• Carried

4.

Finance and Corporate Services Department

4.1

2026 Draft Operating and Capital Budget – French Language Services Advisory Committee

Svetlana Valkova, Deputy Chief Finance Officer, Finance Services, provided a presentation on the 2026 draft operating and capital budget. Nathalie Lemire, Program Manager, French Language Services, provided an overview of the French Language Services (FLS) portion of the budget.

The Advisory Committee discussed and asked questions regarding the following topics:

• On how councillors are consulted in the summer regarding their priorities for the budget and whether departments receive the same consultations earlier in the year;
• On how the budget is allocated for bilingualism policy directives, and that bilingualism is an expectation corporate-wide;
• On the proportion of translation requests that are French to English, as opposed to English to French;
• That the Translation Services budget includes salaries and freelancers;
• On the fact that the budget for coordination of francophone events has remained the same the last few years, and the lack of clarity on what parts of the budget that are relevant to the FLSAC; and
• On the lack of clarity regarding how the budget ties to the FLSAC’s mandate or the sort of advice staff are seeking from the Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee received the presentation for information and carried Motion No. FLSAC 2025-09-01.

ACTION:

• Staff in French Language Services will follow up on whether departments and service areas are consulted earlier in the year on budget priorities.

• Recommendation

  That the French Language Services Advisory Committee receive the presentation for information.

  Received
• Motion No. FLSAC 2025-09-01
  Moved by Mireille Brownhill

  BE IT RESOLVED that the French Language Services Advisory Committee (FLSAC) authorize the FLSAC Chair and Vice Chair to submit the Committee's consolidated comments on the 2026 Draft Operating and Capital Budget to the Committee Coordinator in advance of November 28 for circulation to Members of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee and Council.  

  Carried

5.

Strategic Initiatives Department

5.1

Presentation - Strategic Initiatives Department on strategies to support economic growth and resiliency

Emmanuel Rey, Officer, Economic Development Services, Strategic Initiatives Department, and Mathieu Grondin, Nightlife Commissioner, provided a presentation on supporting economic growth in a bilingual City.

The Advisory Committee discussed and asked questions regarding the following topics:

• On the celebration of the 200^th anniversary of Bytown and whether it will be celebrated exclusively downtown, or throughout the city;
• That the francophone population in Ottawa is spread out throughout the city;
• On partnerships and collaborations that Economic Services has with community groups and businesses;
• On the upcoming Nuit Blanche event; and,
• On the former Chapters on Rideau Street being converted into an event centre.
• Recommendations:
  • Recognizing the value of the existing bilingualism industry within the city;
  • Using bilingual language and communications throughout the city and not just in certain neighbourhoods;
  • Working with francophone community partners to help promote nightlife in suburbs and rural villages;
  • Targeting francophones for events and communications;
  • Expanding beyond known partners in related industries, and giving more focus to small-scale partners;
  • Identifying francophone entrepreneurs in communities; and,
  • Bringing more awareness on what the Nightlife Commissioner position is about.

ACTION:

• Committee members will collect comments and recommendations for sharing with Strategic Initiatives Department after the meeting.

The Advisory Committee received the presentation for information.

• Recommendation

  That the French Language Services Advisory Committee receive the presentation for information and provide feedback as appropriate.

  Received

6.

In Camera Items

There were no in camera items.

7.

Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

There were no Notices of Motion.

8.

Inquiries

There were no Inquiries.

9.

Other Business

9.1

Good Franco News

Member Pierre-Jerome announced the success of the recent event Kaléidoscope 7ième édition hosted by Salon du livre afro-canadien. He also announced a book fair taking place at the École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges. He committed to sharing more information by email after the meeting.

Nathalie Lemire, Program Manager (FLS), announced an upcoming event (Déjeuner des Flocons de neige) taking place at the Pauline Charron Centre in Vanier. She also highlighted the recent passing of Bernard Grandmaître. She committed to sharing more information by email after the meeting. 

10.

Adjournment

Next Meeting

12 February 2026.

The meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.