Today, the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) joined 400 organizations across Ontario in proudly raising the Franco-Ontarian flag in honour of Franco-Ontarian Day.

The flag raising commemorates the 400 years of French presence from the Champlain crossing in Ontario in 1615. It also commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag being hoisted for the first time in Sudbury in 1975.

In 2001, the Government of Ontario officially recognized the flag as a symbol of the Francophone community.

Mr. Marc LeBoutillier, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HGH, and a number of hospital employees, gathered outside the hospital to mark this proud occasion. “Our Franco-Ontarian heritage is part of our culture at HGH. We are proud to mark this important milestone,” said Mr. LeBoutillier.