French-language services at the provincial level are extremely important in Prescott-Russell and nearby regions of Eastern Ontario, and there is a new Minister of Francophone Affairs in Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet.
On Friday, June 5, Natalia Kusendova-Bashta was sworn in as Minister of Francophone Affairs. Kusendova-Bashta is also retaining her role as Minister of Long-Term Care.
Kusendova-Bashta was named as the new Minister of Francophone Affairs on May 25 following the announcement by former Minister Caroline Mulroney that she was leaving politics as of June 5.
French is one of five languages Kusendova-Bashta speaks, in addition to English, Polish, Czech, and Slovak. A nurse by education and profession, she has represented Mississauga Centre in the Ontario legislature since 2018. In 2020, Kusendova-Bashta successfully sponsored a bill to have the Franco-Ontarian flag made an official emblem of the province.
Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario (AFO) President Fabien Hébert congratulated Kusendova-Bashta’s appointment as Minister of Francophone Affairs.
“Over the past few years, Minister Kusendova-Bashta has already demonstrated a concrete interest in and commitment to Ontario’s Francophone community, including beyond her ministerial portfolio, notably through her leadership surrounding Bill 182, which led to the official recognition of the Franco-Ontarian flag as an emblem of Ontario. Her experience as Parliamentary Secretary for Francophone Affairs has also allowed her to develop a practical understanding of several issues affecting our community,” Hébert said in a press release.
Hébert said he looks forward to continuing the work already begun with Kusendova-Bashta and her team to further advance the priorities of Ontario’s Francophone community.
