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
Canadian Parents for French Recognizes 400+Volunteer French Tutors On International Volunteer Day
CPF received a grant from the Canadian government to continue supporting the Virtual Tutoring Program. The program is made possible by our volunteers and on this International Volunteer Day we want to recognize them.
Canadian Parents for French Confers National Awards of Recognition 2020
Meet the recipients of the National Awards of Recognition. We are recognizing three individuals who have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the CPF mission and values. Félicitations!
Canadian Parents for French Appoints New President and Vice-President to the National Board of Directors
Meet our new President and Vice-President. Derrek Bentley was appointed President, he served previously as Vice-President. The new Vice-President is Kate Peters, who previously served as Treasurer.
Be Brave, Speak French!
Have you ever refrained from speaking French because your skills aren't quite "good enough?" THAT's language insecurity. We are proud to release a new advocacy-oriented research brief titled “Be Brave, Speak French”! The report addresses the insecurity experienced by some French language learners and speakers, its impact on students and teachers and recommendations to build linguistic security.
Linguistic Duality Network Receives Funding – Launches Public Awareness Campaign #BetterTogether
Because some things are simply better together, like English and French, the Linguistic Duality Network is launching a campaign that showcase the benefits of Canada’s two official languages.
Canadian Parents for French Concours Virtuel Contest – Youth videos share experiences with the virus #EnsembleADistance
Students across Canada shared their experience with the pandemic in the virtual competition #EnsembleàDistance. For the first time ever the CPF public speaking competition, Concours d’art oratoire, was a virtual contest with participants submitting videos.
CPF National Canadian Film Day Contest Winners Announced
Students across Canada watched French movies and submitted their review to mark National Canadian Film Day. Meet the winners!
Linguistic Security – Be Brave, Speak French!
Did you know that the feeling of not speaking your second language well enough or having an accent that doesn’t match the norm is very common? And that it affects francophones speaking French just as often as it does French second language learners (and teachers)? Learn about this very real phenomenon in our brief, which includes practical tips for supporting learners at all levels to attain linguistic security!
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.
We need YOU!
As a non-profit organization, we can’t do what we do without your support.
Become a Member - It's FREE
Join our community and get French second language (FSL) resources and support. Membership matters.
Volunteer
Learn more about volunteering with CPF and make a difference in your community today!
Subscribe to our newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter and receive French second language (FSL) news and opportunities.