The Construction of an Agri-food Space in French in Eastern Ontario

This paper examines how economic initiatives can be a complement to institutional, cultural or education initiatives in the promotion of a local linguistic regime. Specifically, we focus on the Franco-Ontarian community in Eastern Ontario and two of its characteristics: its rural character associated with a dense agri-food economy, and its border position with the predominantly francophone province of Quebec. We are particularly interested in two economic development initiatives put forward by this Francophone community: the Foire Gourmande and the Curd Festival. We argue that these activities contribute to strengthen the French presence throughout the assertion of an economic sector experienced in "French", but also through the creation of a cross-border territorial reference. The element of cross-border relations, coupled with the promotion of a specific economic sector, constitutes an original element to consider and opens up new venues in the exploration of linguistic movements.