March 2, 2017 “Notre Place” Named Franco-Ontarian Anthem

On March 2, 2017, you can trace the moment Ontario's Legislative Assembly unanimously recognized "Notre Place" as the official Franco-Ontarian anthem, nearly three decades after its 1989 debut. Liberal MPP Grant Crack introduced the motion, and legislators used the occasion to honor lyricist Paul Demers, who'd passed away just months earlier. Community organizations had championed the designation for years before that historic vote. If you want the full story behind this anthem's journey, there's much more to uncover.

Key Takeaways

On March 2, 2017, Ontario's Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a motion officially recognizing "Notre Place" as the Franco-Ontarian anthem.
Liberal MPP Grant Crack of Glengarry–Prescott–Russell introduced the motion recognizing the anthem at Queen's Park.
Legislative speeches honored lyricist Paul Demers, who had died in October 2016, months before official recognition.
"Notre Place" was written in 1989 to mark the coming into force of Ontario's French Language Services Act.
Organizations including the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario and APCM championed the designation through outreach and lobbying efforts.

The Story Behind "Notre Place"

Written in 1989 by Paul Demers and François Dubé, "Notre Place" was born out of a milestone moment for French Ontario: the coming into force of the French Language Services Act. The duo first performed the song on November 18, 1989, at a gala in Toronto celebrating the Act's implementation.

From the start, the lyrics spoke directly to language preservation, grounding Franco-Ontarian identity in the shared experience of speaking and living in French. The song quickly became a symbol of cultural resilience, resonating in schools and communities across the province.

You can hear in every verse a community affirming its place — not just in law, but in daily life. That emotional weight is exactly why "Notre Place" endured long after that first performance.

Who Were Paul Demers and François Dubé?

Paul Demers and François Dubé were the creative pair behind "Notre Place," with Demers serving as the lyricist and both men composing the music together. As a composer, François Dubé helped shape a melody that resonated deeply with Franco-Ontarian audiences from the moment of its first performance in 1989.

Demers, whose legacy extends far beyond a single song, was a prominent figure in Ontario's Francophone music scene. Together, they crafted "Notre Place" to celebrate the coming into force of Ontario's French Language Services Act.

Tragically, Demers died in October 2016, just months before Ontario officially recognized the anthem he'd co-created. His legacy endures through the song's continued presence in schools, communities, and annual Franco-Ontarian Day celebrations across the province.

Why Was 1989 the Perfect Moment for This Song?

The song Demers and Dubé created didn't emerge in a vacuum — 1989 marked a turning point for French-speaking Ontarians. That year, Ontario's French Language Services Act came into force, a landmark shift in language policy that gave Francophones the legal right to access provincial services in French.

The cultural timing couldn't have been more powerful. French-speaking Ontarians needed something that captured the weight of that moment — not a policy document, but a song they could feel. "Notre Place" did exactly that. It gave the community a voice when the law was finally recognizing theirs.

When you understand what 1989 meant politically and culturally, you understand why this song took hold so quickly and never let go. For those looking to explore more stories like this one, tools like Fact Finder by category make it easy to uncover concise, well-organized facts across topics ranging from politics to science.

What Happened at Queen's Park on March 2, 2017?

On March 2, 2017, Ontario's Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a motion granting "Notre Place" official status as the Franco-Ontarian anthem. At Queen's Park, Liberal MPP Grant Crack introduced the motion, and the Assembly embraced it without a single opposing vote. The ceremony protocol was straightforward yet deeply meaningful for Franco-Ontarians across the province.

Here's what made the day significant:

Legislative speeches honored Paul Demers, who'd died just months earlier in October 2016
MPP Grant Crack represented Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, a riding with deep Francophone roots
The public reception celebrated Franco-Ontarian contributions from all backgrounds
Organizations like the APCM and Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario championed the designation

You can see why this moment carried such emotional weight for the Francophone community. In many European cultures, March 2 would also be an occasion to honor individuals whose names are celebrated on country-specific calendars, adding another layer of personal meaning to commemorations tied to this date.

How Did the Franco-Ontarian Community Win Official Anthem Status?

Winning official anthem status for "Notre Place" didn't happen overnight — it took a coordinated push from key organizations, including the APCM, the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario, and Ottawa's Montfort Hospital. Through community outreach and legislative lobbying, these groups built momentum around a song that Franco-Ontarians had already embraced for nearly three decades.

You can trace the campaign's urgency partly to Paul Demers' death in October 2016. His passing gave the push renewed emotional weight, reminding supporters why formal recognition mattered.

Grant Crack, Liberal MPP for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, tabled the motion at Queen's Park, carrying the community's case directly into the legislature. The Assembly responded unanimously, turning years of grassroots effort into an official designation on March 2, 2017.

What Do the Lyrics of "Notre Place" Reveal About Franco-Ontarian Identity?

The lyrics speak directly to what Franco-Ontarians share:

A commitment to preserving French as a living, daily language
A sense of solidarity that crosses regional and generational lines
Pride rooted in community rather than geography alone
An affirmation that Francophone identity in Ontario isn't fragile—it endures

Schools have sung these words for decades because they resonate. "Notre Place" doesn't just describe identity; it actively reinforces it every time someone raises their voice to sing it.

Where and How "Notre Place" Has Been Sung Since 1989

From the classroom to the concert stage, "Notre Place" has lived far beyond the page since its debut in 1989. You'll find it sung in schools across Ontario, where students connect with its message of language preservation early on.

It echoes through community gatherings, uniting Francophones who share a common identity shaped by their mother tongue. Every September 25, you hear it ring out on Franco-Ontarian Day, cementing its role as a cultural touchstone.

A tribute recording featuring about fifty artists, including Damien Robitaille, YAO, and Robert Paquette, brought it to new audiences. Whether performed on a small community stage or a major platform, "Notre Place" keeps Francophone voices in Ontario active, visible, and proud. Much like Chinua Achebe's use of indigenous oral traditions woven into his writing to preserve cultural identity, "Notre Place" draws on community roots to ensure a minority language and culture remain vibrant and visible.

The Tribute Recording That Honored "Notre Place" and Paul Demers

When Paul Demers passed away in October 2016, the Franco-Ontarian community came together to honor both the man and the song he'd helped create. The tribute recording showcased remarkable artist collaboration, uniting roughly fifty performers to celebrate his legacy.

The recording featured a diverse lineup, including:

Damien Robitaille, a celebrated Franco-Ontarian singer-songwriter
YAO, bringing dynamic energy to the collaboration
Les Chiclettes and Chuck Labelle, longtime voices of Francophone Ontario
Robert Paquette and Moonfruits, rounding out the artistic tribute

You can hear how this collective effort transformed "Notre Place" into something even more powerful. The artist collaboration wasn't just musical — it was a community affirming that Demers' work and Franco-Ontarian identity would continue thriving long after his passing.

How "Notre Place" Shapes Franco-Ontarian Day Each Year

Each year on September 25, singing "Notre Place" anchors Franco-Ontarian Day as a living expression of Francophone identity in Ontario. You'll find the anthem woven into community rituals across the province, from public gatherings to cultural celebrations that reinforce collective pride.

Schools incorporate it into educational programming, ensuring younger generations connect with the language and solidarity the song represents. When you hear thousands of voices singing together, you recognize that this isn't just a performance — it's an affirmation.

The anthem transforms September 25 into more than a date on a calendar. It becomes a moment where Franco-Ontarians of all backgrounds actively claim their place in Ontario's cultural landscape, exactly as Paul Demers and François Dubé intended when they first wrote it in 1989.