The last French Canadian (The last French Canadian)
(Canada, 51 minutes)
Real. Jill Lafaive, Simon Madore

Is it outdated to describe certain inhabitants of the country of the maple leaf as “French Canadians”? The politics of identity, or perhaps the semantics of identity, are put under the microscope in this light-hearted documentary. The last French Canadian. The documentary follows subject/host Pascal Justin Boyer as he struggles to understand who he is within Canada’s diverse mosaic. Born to two French-speaking parents in Quebec, who then moved their family to Ontario when Justin was in school, our host says he could never put his finger on his identity. He identifies as French Canadian at the beginning of the documentary, but wonders if that makes him a minority within a minority.

It’s not an easy question to answer, so Boyer talks with French speakers from coast to coast. On the one hand, a professor at York University told him that “French Canadian” was an outdated term. The inherently colonial nature of this distinction is a bit retrograde. But calling himself a “Québécois” doesn’t work for Boyer either, since he spent more years outside. The beautiful province than living inside.

Alternatively, as a (now former) French-speaking resident of Ontario, Boyer could follow his parents’ example. They use “Franco-Ontarian” as their preferred demonym. Many other French speakers in Canada apply this label, but Boyer explains how it doesn’t stick well. This omits the connection he feels with Quebec and simplifies his identity and his relationship to the language.

The documentary follows the fast pace of Boyer’s native language while a bouncy collage of archival material keeps conversations easy. It’s funny, but thoughtful, because the interplay between images and words leads English speakers to jokes that might otherwise be lost in translation.

Boyer’s good sense of humor and easygoing connections fuel a cross-country investigation. In talking with francophones from Toronto, including some pointed questions about the controversial Université franco-ontarienne, to the far corners of Whitehorse, Yukon, Boyer learns that almost all French-speaking Canadians have a different perspective on ‘identify. It is not a universal language in itself.

The last French Canadian However, it plays great games with language, while questioning the multitude of identities in a country with loaded settlement histories. Boyer, for his part, laughs a lot with a French-speaking compatriot from Vancouver. He asks what it’s like to be French-speaking in British Columbia. She laughs and tells him about a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court to preserve language rights in public schools.

Meanwhile, in Halifax, or “Acadia” for those who want to get into politics, various immigrants are bringing more politics into the conversation about the Francophonie. They explain that, for example, a person from Senegal might speak French upon arrival in Halifax, but if few Haligonians speak the language, or if a new Canadian cannot find work in French in town, they will simply have to go to Montreal or learn English to stay. Even more complicated is one interviewee’s observation that French is a colonial language for many immigrants. It is therefore unlikely that he will fight for a language that he did not choose in the first place.

The last French Canadian turns the tongue on the issue of language preservation, particularly as it relates to Quebec. The conversation illustrates a growing reliance on immigrants to maintain the fluidity of the language, but the question of Quebec nationalism or sovereignty complicates the politics of belonging for these same people. The discussion observes how questions of language and collective politics are intrinsically linked.

The film therefore wonders if the quest to remain “French-Canadian” will ultimately erase the Canadian character of the term, which leaves Boyer wondering what he is fighting for. Fortunately, “bravo” works in both languages.

The last French Canadian projected for 2024 Windsor International Film Festival.

It is also broadcast on ICI TOU.TV.