Education, Religion, and Identity in French Ontario: A Case Study of French-language Catholic School Choice

• In Event: 320 - Regular Session. How Institutions and Culture Shape Identities

Abstract

An overview of the literature published on Franco-Ontarian identity since the early 1970s reveals an almost exclusive definition of Franco-Ontarian identity in terms of language. The strong cultural tie which once linked French Canada to Catholicism seems, at first glance, to have faded from Franco-Ontarians' cultural reference. However, a closer look at the Franco-Ontarian schooling context reveals that today, eight of the twelve French language Ontario School Boards are still Catholic, and a vast majority of Franco-Ontarian parents continue to choose French language Catholic schools for their children. This paper presents the results of research based on a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with Franco-Ontarian parents choosing a French language Catholic school for their children. I present a typology of French language Catholic school choice, which I argue contributes to the understanding of the cultural dimension of Francophone and Catholic school choice in Ontario while providing insight into the enduring yet uncertain place of Catholicism as a cultural religion which continues to play an important role in defining Franco-Ontarian identity. I also discuss the implications of these findings for the future of French language Catholic education in Ontario.

Author

• Jean-Francois Nault, University of Toronto