In 1977, Keith Spicer was serving as Canada’s first-ever Commissioner of Official Languages. Interested in the bilingualism of Canada’s youth, he met with groups of parents across Canada who wanted their children to learn French as a second language (FSL) but who ran into roadblocks at the local school boards.
To get the ball rolling, Mr. Spicer offered to find some seed money—enough to organize a national conference of like-minded parents. The result was an event called “Parents’ Conference on French Language and Exchange Opportunities,” which took place in Ottawa in March of 1977. It was during this weekend-long conference that Canadian Parents for French was officially founded as a volunteer-based advocacy group, a collective of parents who wanted to ensure that children would have the opportunity to become bilingual in the Canadian school system.
The first conference determined a few things that are fundamental to the history of CPF. The group outlined its goals and elected its first National Board of Directors, led by inaugural president Pat Webster of Ontario. Her fellow directors were Judith Madley (British Columbia), David Sanders (Prairie Region), Elizabeth Annesley (Quebec), and Mary Lou Morrison (Atlantic Region).
This original small group of concerned parents who met in Ottawa over 40 years ago has evolved into a proactive national network with 12 Branches and Offices and some 150 Chapters in communities coast to coast to coast.
CPF Milestones
Come with us on a journey through time! Discover the beginnings of Canadian Parents for French, learn about our leading accomplishments over the last 40+ years, and follow the winding road of our quest to change the face of education in Canada.
Timeline
Gender Differences
This page is under construction. Come back and see us soon for great resources that will help you support the French second language learners in your life-and advocate for them too!
Limits on Enrollment in French Immersion Programs (capping, lotteries, program implementation costs, etc.)
This page is under construction. Come back and see us soon for great resources that will help you support the French second language learners in your life-and advocate for them too!
Recognized Proficiency Levels and Testing
This page is under construction. Come back and see us soon for great resources that will help you support the French second language learners in your life-and advocate for them too!
Reading / Literacy Challenges (dyslexia)
This page is under construction. Come back and see us soon for great resources that will help you support the French second language learners in your life-and advocate for them too!
Understanding Attrition in FSL Programs
Understanding Attrition through French Immersion Programs – Research Bibliography
Transportation
This page is under construction. Come back and see us soon for great resources that will help you support the French second language learners in your life-and advocate for them too!
Online Learning in FSL – Logging in to Learn!
When the pandemic began, parents of FSL students were faced with big challenges when schools closed. In some places, French was not an option for remote learning while in others, new innovative practices were established and shared across traditional jurisdictions. Learn more about the programs available across the country and tips on how to support your child in French when learning online.
Spring KAHOOT! Challenge
ATTENTION EDUCATORS! CPF Newfoundland and Labrador invites your class to participate in its Spring Kahoot! Challenge for Core French & French Immersion students, grades 1 to 12. CHALLENGE other classes and schools to bring some fun to learning and practicing French until May 21st!
French Goodnight Bag!
By incorporating French into family activities, parents demonstrate that learning new things is fun and can be shared as a family. Having an open attitude and practicing together is all that is required for being successful in learning French. Parents […]
CPF Virtual Advocacy Event
An opportunity to review the year that was in FSL education, and consider how individuals with an innovative spirit can come together to support French across Canada in times of need.
Come with us on a journey through time! Discover the beginnings of Canadian Parents for French, learn about our leading accomplishments over the last 40+ years, and follow the winding road of our quest to change the face of education in Canada
CPF recognizes individuals who have rendered significant service to the organization and who have demonstrated leadership in the advancement of French second language education.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2020 AWARD RECIPIENTS AND TO NOMINATE FOR 2022 AWARDS.
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