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
Virtual Volunteer Opportunity: Bilingual Tutors Needed
Are you passionate about helping kids learn French? We need your help!
Volunteers Needed: Become a Virtual WIGUP Club French Mentor!
WIGUP.tv is an interactive social network for schools that allows students to have secure access to more than 2,000 inspiring videos that help develop their critical thinking skills in French. Join our team of volunteers and help young people develop new skills!
Volunteer Content Creators Needed!
We are looking for volunteer content creators who are creative and have great knowledge of the French language! Content creators will create content to be used in our virtual programs.
Canadian Parents for French Recognizes its 1,300+ Volunteers on International Volunteer Day
Canadian Parents for French would like to thank and recognize the important contributions of all its volunteers across the country helping us achieve our mandate of promoting and creating opportunities for youth to learn and use French
O’Poésie 2022
O’Poésie is a French as a second language poetry contest for 6 to 18 year old youth. This is an opportunity for FSL students to explore the beauty and expressivity of the French language through a creative learning project. DEADLINE: February 9 2022
Ontarians Deserve Immediate Action on French Immersion
This uneven availability of French immersion speaks of an urgent need for reform as many who are interested in developing skills in French are structurally prohibited from doing so. French immersion has been proven to be a net gain for students; French language programs in addition to their numerous professional advantages are proven also to improve overall communication skills rather than diminish students’ performance in their English classes.
Canadian Parents for Recognizes International Volunteer Managers Day
CPF wishes to extend a special recognition to the people who manage our volunteer programs. International Volunteer Managers Day is celebrated in eighteen countries worldwide
Benefits of Language Learning, and Bilingualism
Language learning improves communication, opens minds to new cultures and experiences, and creates future travel and job opportunities. In short, learning French helps to build your child's brain!
Parent Engagement, Success for Your Child’s Education
By being engaged in your child's French Immersion journey, you are setting them up for success. See how you can actively support your child, even if you don't speak French.
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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