Mayor Jim Watson heckled over bilingualism stand

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson was heckled for his views on bilingualism during an event that celebrated the 20th anniversary of a rally to saveMontfort Hospital.

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Watson was invited to speak at the Wednesday nightcelebrationheld20 years after theS.O.S.Montforteventat the same location thencalledthe Civic Centre. Watson wasamong the 10,000 people whoattended the 1997 event.

On Wednesday, inside the renamed TD Place arena, a clamour rose up in the audience as master of ceremonies Ronald Caza, a lawyer and former director of Montfort Hospital, introduced Watson as one of the most popular mayors in Canada.

Some people whistled loudly, while others chanted "bilingual Ottawa" in French as Watson spoke.

The City of Ottawa'sbilingualismbylawrecognizes the bilingual character of the city and says services will be available in both languages.Watson has repeatedly said the city doesn't need any further bilingual rules.

In French, Watson told thecrowd of about 4,000 people the 1997 rally wasn't just about supporting the hospital it was also a call to protect the rights of Ontario's Francophone minority.

"I remember theevening very well and I am pleased to have participated," he said in French.

Watson was only able to quiet the crowd when he beganto listthe names ofFrancophone Montfort supporters, includingGisle Lalonde(who was president of the S.O.S. Montfortmovement from 1997 to 2002), the late Mauril Blanger andCaza.

The mayor ended his speech by declaring March 22 Franco-Ontariansolidarity day.

Others greeted with standing ovation

A few minutes later, Lalonde and Michelle de Courville Nicol, a former chairof Montfort Hospital's board of directors, took to the stage and were greeted withapplause that lasted several minutes.

Archive footage showing the 1997 rally, which marked the birth of the S.O.S. Montfort movement, was also projected on a large screen.

Lalonde, visibly moved, held upa green and white Franco-Ontarian flagand received a standing ovation.

Rideau-Vanier Coun.Mathieu Fleury closed the series of speeches, thanking Lalonde and Nicol, followed by performances fromFrancophone musiciansincludingMoonfruits, Damien Robitaille and Robert Paquette andYAO.