Item - 2026.FA8.6

The Toronto Francophone Affairs Advisory Committee recommends that:

1. The Economic and Community Development Committee request the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture to:

a. study the possibility of the City of Toronto providing financial support for the construction of a new theatre for Théâtre français de Toronto, in accordance with the commitments set out in the Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto, 2025–2035, adopted by City Council on November 13, 2024;

b. examine, in collaboration with the relevant community and institutional partners, the various funding and partnership models that could enable such a project to be carried out; and

c. report to the Economic and Community Development Committee, through the Francophone Affairs Advisory Committee where appropriate, on the possibilities for municipal support for this project and the next steps that could be considered, by the first quarter of 2027.

In support of Théâtre français de Toronto and its long-standing project to build a permanent venue designed specifically for French-language theatre in Toronto, I propose that the motion below be added to the June 18, 2026 meeting.

For nearly 60 years, Théâtre français de Toronto has been a pillar of Toronto’s Francophone cultural life. As the only professional French-language theatre in the Queen City, Théâtre français de Toronto serves Francophone and Francophile communities in Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area, and well beyond, while playing an important role in education, youth audience development, and artistic creation. The company welcomes nearly 12,000 audience members each season, including non-Francophone spectators who can also enjoy the plays thanks to surtitles.

Despite its significant contribution to Toronto’s cultural life, Théâtre français de Toronto has operated for decades without a permanent venue. Seventy-one Franco-Ontarian organizations recently signed letters of support reaffirming the need for a permanent home for Théâtre français de Toronto. The support of the federal government is appreciated but insufficient to bring the project to completion. The City of Toronto would benefit from such a project, and I believe it is important that the City explore what it can do to support the project as well. It is in this spirit that I propose the following motion.