La Feuille d’Érable

The franco-ontarian newspaper La Feuille d’Érable was created by Gustave Lacasse, a doctor and a senator, on January 29, 1931. Its subtitle was “La voix française du pays des Grands-Lacs”. This weekly newspaper was published in Tecumseh, Ontario, from 1931 to 1958.

Gustave Lacasse often contributed to the newspaper as a journalist using more than 12 pseudonyms such as Civis and Perspicax for political topics, Jean de Fierbois for patriotic matters, Magister for education issues and Gérard Dillon for English editorials.

The newspaper supported a variety of Franco-Ontarian associations such as the Association canadienne-française d'éducation de l'Ontario (ACFÉO), the Société Saint-Jean Baptiste and the Union des cultivateurs de Kent et d'Essex. The founder of La Feuille d'Érable dies in 1953, but the newspaper continues to be published until March 27, 1958. Eight years later, a new Franco-Ontarian newspaper succeeds to La Feuille d'Érable in the area, Le Rempart from Windsor.

Essay prepared by Katharine Ball