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
Ottawa relies on French immersion to strengthen bilingualism in Alberta
Michael Tryon, Executive Director, CPF Alberta shares his opinion about the modernization of the Official Languages Act, talking specifically about some of the French as a second language (FSL) challenges in Alberta. Available in French.
Immigration and immersion: Two Promising Paths for the Francophonie
Nicole Thibault, Executive Director, CPF National talks about the importance of guaranteeing all Canadians access to FSL programs in the wake of the Government of Canada’s planned reforms to the Official Languages Act. Available in French.
Facilitating the immigration of French-speaking teachers: “A step in the right direction”
Betty Gormley, Executive Director, CPF ON shares her thoughts about the proposed changes to the Official Languages Act. She agrees that the FSL teacher shortage makes it harder for young students to enroll in a FSL program. Available in French.
Demand for French immersion rises amid shortage of qualified teachers
CPF Manitoba shares its opinion about teacher shortages and says provinces need to improve their recruitment efforts and come up with a pan-Canadian solution.
B.C. parents voice concern over lack of French immersion distance learning options
Glyn Lewis, Executive Director CPF BC & YK expresses his concerns about how the pandemic has disrupted classrooms, leaving parents worried about how it will affect their children’s learning.
Recap of the CPF Network Conference
The CPF Network Conference was a huge success! Our Executive Director shares the event’s highlights and reminds audiences of the work we do.
Linguistic Insecurity: It Is Not Easy for Anglophones to Learn French
After releasing its Linguistic Security Advocacy Brief, CPF discusses how linguistic insecurity affects FSL students and what it is doing to address that problem. Available in French.
French Goodnight Bags for NCR-Military Family Resource Centre
Families in Ottawa received French Goodnight Bags! The bags are designed to support English speaking parents with the transition of their kids to school, en français.
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT CPF
There's something for everyone. Please check out our additional volunteer opportunities here.
Advocacy Report Tools Kits
How can you, as a parent or educator, make use of our French Second Language research findings to advocate for your child, student or community? Check out the tools we've developed, based on these reports, to support your advocacy efforts.
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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