March, 2026

Month of La Francophonie

La Francophonie in Canada

Every March, in Canada and in many countries, we celebrate the Month of La Francophonie. This is an opportunity to highlight the richness and vibrancy of the French language, as well as the contributions of Francophones to our cultural heritage and collective identity. Join the celebrations and recognize the importance of French here and beyond.

French is one of the two official languages of Canada. It is a common language that brings people together and creates connections across the country. French is spoken by millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast, who use the language on a daily basis.

In the most recent census in 2021, Canada had a population of nearly 37 million people. French was the first official language spoken for 22.0% of the population. Almost 10.7 million Canadians could carry on a conversation in French. There was a keen interest in learning French among young people, with nearly 1.7 million studying French as a second language.

The Canadian Francophonie stands out for its vitality and diversity. Whether in majority or minority settings, numerous Francophone communities live, work, learn and celebrate in French across Canada. Quebec is a predominantly Francophone province where French is the common language and the only official language. New Brunswick is officially bilingual. In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, it is the Acadians who sustain and enrich the French language. There are also French-speaking communities in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the three territories.

The richness and vibrancy of the Canadian Francophonie also owes much to newcomers and their cultural contributions: between 2016 and 2021, the country welcomed 213,215 French-speaking immigrants from France, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Syria, Haiti, Tunisia, Côte-d’Ivoire and many other places around the world.

Canada’s commitment to the Francophonie also extends to the international stage: it has been an active participant in the International Organisation of La Francophonie for over 50 years and is a founding member. Canada’s international role is strengthened by the involvement of the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, as members, and of Ontario and Nova Scotia, as observers.

All over the world, March is the Month of La Francophonie, which includes International Day of La Francophonie, celebrated on March 20. A wide range of activities are organized by Canadian Heritage and partner organizations to celebrate the French language and the diversity and vitality of Francophone communities across Canada and around the world.

There are many events planned in Sudbury. Please visit our Events page for a full listing.

International Women’s Day

March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD), a time to celebrate the progress made in advancing women’s rights and highlight the ongoing efforts needed to ensure their full participation in all aspects of society.

The beginnings of International Women’s Day can be traced back to the early twentieth century. It emerged from the activities of labour movements in North America and Europe and reflected a growing call for women’s equal participation in society.

International Women’s Day first took place on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, when over a million people attended rallies to show their support for women’s rights to work, vote, hold public office and live free of discrimination. Other countries began to observe and celebrate this day in the years that followed. The United Nations recognized 1975 as International Women’s Year and began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day.

Today, International Women’s Day is a day of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy, and action and is marked in many countries worldwide, including Canada.

There are many events planned in Sudbury. Please visit our Events page for a full listing.

In The News

John Howard Society of Canada Week March 3 to March 6, 2026

The John Howard Society Week Virtual Conference 2026 will have daily sessions starting at 1 pm EST. The event will cover various topics related to crime and justice including the problems Canada’s pre-trial detention and release system, conditions of confinement and reintegration post remand and a model to overhaul the pre-trial detention and release system. All sessions are free and registration can be done through the following link: https://forms.gle/Wdoc4uc8MDvzPswP8 or www.casw-acts.ca

Putting the “Human” Back in Human Services

Unlike search engines, 211 applies a human touch for personalized solutions. Their highly-trained and accredited Community Navigators know how to ask the right questions to get the full picture of a person’s needs. Navigators then provide referrals to services to connect them to the right supports. In addition, some partnerships include 211 registering individuals for services directly or providing a warm transfer to the program. 211 will also advocate on a contact’s behalf, at their request.

211 is available by phone for those looking to speak to a friendly voice or by text, online search, email or chat for those looking for convenience or who feel the stigma of asking for help. This makes our service available to all people of Ontario regardless of their level of digital understanding or ability to access the internet. 211 quickly and confidentially connects people to social services and community programs across Ontario.

The helpline is answered by real people 24/7. Service is available in 150+ languages. Text is also available 24/7. Live chat service is available Monday to Friday from 7am-9pm ET. There is also a :

Men’s Counselling Link

It provides men with access to professional counselling, offering support for those experiencing stress, relationship conflict, harmful behaviours, or personal challenges. The service connects callers to trained counsellors through Family Service Ontario agencies, either virtually or in person.

Men’s Counselling Link also benefits from 211 Ontario’s wider network. When helpful, Navigators can connect men to other community supports, such as financial help, employment supports, housing resources, or family services. To ease stress and help stabilize day-to-day challenges. Men’s Counselling Link is for men in Ontario who:

Feel overwhelmed by stress, anger, or family pressures
Want to improve their relationships or break harmful patterns
Are concerned about conflict at home, or emotional control
Are unsure where to turn but want to make a positive change

This service is designed to support men at any stage, whether they are seeking early help or facing escalating challenges. When you dial 211 and ask for Men’s Counselling Link:

A 211 Navigator will listen and connect you to support.
You may be referred to a counselling session with a trained professional.
Counselling is offered as a single, full session. If needed, you may be guided to further resources or services.

Support is available by phone or, where possible, in person.

United Way of North East Ontario

Income Tax Program

Registration for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program is now open.

United Way Centraide North East Ontario/Nord-est de l’Ontario (UWCNEO), in partnership with Canada Revenue Agency, is offering the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program again this year. Our trained volunteers will assist low-income earners file their income tax returns either over the phone or in person.

Qualifying individuals can register online to have their income tax returns filed at no charge. Individuals unable to register online may call the United Way office at 705-560-3330 ext. 210 and leave a message. A volunteer will return your call from an unknown caller ID. Please note, wait times may be lengthy due to the high number of participants. All clients will be contacted in sequence to have their taxes completed over the telephone.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible, individuals must have a modest income and a simple tax situation, which means no income, or income from these sources:

Employment income
Pension
Registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs)
Interest (under $1,200)
Benefits (e.g., Canada Pension Plan, old age security, disability insurance, employment insurance, and social assistance)
Scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, or grants

Family Income thresholds are as follows:

1 person … $40,000 or less
2 persons … $55,000 or less
3 persons … $60,000 or less
4 persons … $65,000 or less
5 persons … $70,000 or less (+ an additional $5,000 per family member over 5 people)

Champion of the Month

Carrefour francophone

The Carrefour francophone ensures the vitality of French and brings our cultures together. They are educational leaders and theirprogramming inspires and enriches minds.
They reach families from generation to generation. The Carrefour francophone is a cultural and community centre in Greater Sudbury. They are at the helm of eleven early childhood centres, five Tremplins (before- and after-school programs), cultural summer camps and shows presented under the banner of La Slague and La Slague jeunesse pour les familles.

Thank you to this special group of staff and volunteers for your ongoing dedication to our community. You are our Champion of the Month !

Charitable Gaming funds Sudbury’s essential services

Delta Bingo and Gaming helps fund over 160 local organizations in Greater Sudbury. We are excited to share the latest round of Charitable Gaming social media graphics with you, available in both English and French! This creative aligns with the new Out-of-Home (OOH) campaign, which you’ll also see across Ontario on billboards, transit, DriveTest centres, Cineplex, and more. There is an an advertisement running at the corner of Lasalle Blvd and Notre Dame.

Welcome to JHS Sudbury

The John Howard Society believes in effective, just and humane responses to crime and its causes. We are dedicated to creating genuinely safer communities by helping to foster a truly effective criminal justice system. The John Howard Society helps people reintegrate into society, thereby reducing alienation, crime and recidivism.

Our mission is resolute. We want to help to create a truly effective criminal justice system – one that serves us all, that confronts crime and its causes and that fosters safer communities. In short, we help people turn away from a life of crime. Surely, that’s what we’d all like to see.

Practically speaking, we STOP Crime Now ! ^TM through the multitude of programs and services that we offer to the community. You can help us to STOP Crime Now ! ^TM through your donation to the John Howard Society of Sudbury. All funds raised are used to deliver our programs and services in the Sudbury and North Bay communities. STOP Crime Now ! ^TM is a registered trademark of the John Howard Society of Sudbury.

We are proud to commemorate Prisoners Justice Day every year. It is a day where we remember the violence within the walls of incarceration and the men and women who have died because of this violence while incarcerated. In 2026 the commemoration will be on August 10 at 10:00 am on the grounds of the Sudbury Jail. For more information please go to the Prisoners Justice Day page on our website.

(NEW!) The John Howard Society assists people with criminal records to apply for a record suspension, formerly known as a pardon. It is a lengthy process and can take up to two years. If you would like more information contact the John Howard Society as soon as possible.

Some of our funders include the following and we are truly appreciative of their support. Given that the vast majority of Canadians claim to give to charities but just less than 25% of Canadians claim their charitable donations on their tax return, you may want to make sure you know the benefits! Your donations are important ! Please remember us.

To easily calculate the tax savings for a donation of any amount, use https://www.canadahelps.org/taxtime/.

For information on how our programs and services can be accessed in French contact the John Howard Society of Sudbury at the references located on our contact page. Those programs and services that are available in French are noted with an (F) in the title of each service or program. The John Howard Society is an inclusive agency serving all people in our community. We have posted the Pride progress Flag on our website as a symbol that everyone is welcome to enter our agency for service.

Vianet is a proud supporter of the John Howard Society and the great work that we do all across Ontario to provide effective, just, and humane responses to crime and its causes. Vianet supports and helps in creating safer communities and to STOP Crime Now!

June is National Indigenous History Month. For more information please go to our Events page.