In brief

French, barely visible...

Through their hard work and business sense, Francophones help shape the city of Ottawa. Yet this reality is imperceptible in the 1950s streetscape of Rideau Street, one of the capital’s main commercial arteries. Many Francophones nevertheless live in the vicinity and figure among Rideau Street’s most loyal clientele.

Black and white photograph of a busy street with multi-storey buildings and billboards. In the foreground, a group of well-dressed pedestrians crosses a side street.

National Building, Rideau Street, Ottawa, [ca. 1954]. The city of Ottawa is rapidly developing into one of the country’s major urban areas. Francophones remain numerous in the central neighbourhoods, and Rideau Street is very popular with them. 

Library and Archives Canada, Government Archives, e011074450.