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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
2023
Open Letter in Response to Article Published by the Globe and Mail
More French Opportunities for All Re “How French immersion inadvertently created class and cultural divides at schools across Canada” By Derrek Bentley, National President, Canadian Parents for French As the largest non-francophone organization that promotes the French language in Canada, […]
Canadian Parents for French Emphasizes Addressing FSL Teacher Shortage on World Teachers’ Day
On this World Teachers’ Day, Canadian Parents for French would like to thank and congratulate every teacher that meaningfully impacts the lives of students across Canada
Canadian Parents for French National Board of Directors Announcement
The Canadian Parents for French (CPF) Network ratified the election of three Directors to the CPF National Board of Directors.
Canadian Parents for French Recognizes the Financial Support of the Government of Canada
Canadian Parents for French, National on behalf of the pan-Canadian Network would like to acknowledge the Department of Canadian Heritage for its ongoing financial support to help our organization carry out its core program activities.
Canadian Parents for French Announces the Winners of Concours d’art oratoire 2023
Canadian Parents for French is delighted to announce the 15 winners of the 2023 national finals of Concours d’art oratoire, Canada’s public speaking contest.
Canadian Parents for French Celebrates the Adoption of Bill C-13 by the Senate to Modernize the Official Languages Act
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is pleased to learn that Bill C-13 was adopted by the Senate.
Canadian Parents for French Welcomes the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028
CPF welcomes the Government of Canada’s new Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration, launched on April 26 by the Minister of Official Languages, Ginette Petitpas Taylor. It was with great interest that CPF learned of the details of the […]
Learning French in the Early Years
In this brief you will learn about the value of introducing languages to children during the formative years before school starts. This brief is an essential tool for CPF to ensure that there is equitable access for all Canadian children […]
Finding French in Ottawa Booklets
Discover French in Ottawa and encourage children to read with these booklets! With the support of Bilingual Ottawa and as part of the Canadian Parents for French “Finding French Story and Learning Time Project,” CPF has developed five booklets that […]
Canadian Parents for French Welcomes the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028
It was with great interest that CPF learned of the details of the plan that will unfold over the next five years.
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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