Le Droit

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Le Droit (established on March 27, 1913) is a Canadian daily newspaper, published in Ottawa, Canada and is operated by Gesca since 2000.

[edit] History

The newspaper was launched at that period as a tool to condemn Bill 17, an Ontario legislation that abolished education in French at that time. Today, its defends federalism in Canada as well as provincial jurisdictions. It is still involved in the protection of francophone rights in Ontario and has been a vocal voice in the survival of the Montfort Hospital during the Mike Harris regime.

In the 1960's, Le Droit tried to extend its market into northeastern Ontario including the North Bay area but quickly abandoned the project due to high costs.

Originally published as a broadsheet, it switched to tabloid format in 1987, following an 11-week strike by its employees. The newspaper also had a previous strike in 1982.

In 2000, Gesca, a sub-company of Power Corporation owned by Paul Desmarais acquired the paper from Conrad Black's Hollinger. Before 1983, it was owned by UniMedia.

[edit] Today

It is the only francophone daily newspaper published in Ontario for the Franco-Ontarian community and was the 4th all-time (the previous three existed in the 19th century). It is also read by francophones who live in and around Gatineau, Quebec, directly across the Ottawa River from Ottawa. Its articles can also be read on the Internet in the Cyberpresse network which includes La Presse in Montreal and Le Soleil in Quebec City.

Its main offices are located near the Byward Market with a second office located at Les Promenades de l'Outaouais in Gatineau. It currently has about 150 employees.