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
CPF NS Balad’arts- Wandering With Art
Come join CPF Nova Scotia and the MSVU Art Gallery on a series of 1.5 hour art walks. The group will discuss different themes in French and English related to the neighbourhoods and create using different art media.
CPF AB – Falling into French – French Family Fun Weekend
Join us for a fun-filled family weekend full of French and bilingual activities for French and non-French speakers in beautiful Canmore, Alberta!
Advocacy with Élan
A CPF Guide to Making Our Voices Heard. Members, to view this content, please login.
FSL Champions
Can you believe ALL these famous people speak French?! Our Gaston the French Bulldog was amazed when he discovered the following actors, athletes, musicians, gameshow hosts, and political leaders all speak French. Let them inspire you to learn French, too!
Omar Sachedina
Omar Sachedina is a familiar face to anyone who watches CTV News, reporting from across the country and around the world. Omar recently posted a tweet proudly announcing he'd filed his first report en français, crediting the French Immersion program he attended for this achievement. We think he sounded great!
Halifax au Soleil – Summer Pop Up Events
This summer CPF Nova Scotia will be offering a variety of pop up events around HRM! Each event will be targeted at a specific group (elementary students, junior high students, families etc). Join in the fun: in-person and virtual events are being offered every week.
Jill Barber
Jill Barber is a three-time Juno Award nominated singer-songwriter with an unforgettable voice once heard, never forgotten. Her critically acclaimed repertoire spans a transformative spectrum from folk, to vocal jazz, to pop, and includes songs in both French and English. In this short video, Jill shares why she loves to write and sing songs in her deuxième langue.
Ontario to Spend Millions in an Effort to Recruit French Teachers due to Shortage
Ontario is currently facing a severe shortage of French language teachers, therefore threatening the integrity and survival of the province’s French immersion program. Through a mix of increased funding and a new training program, Ontario is seeking to fast-track the process of filling vacant positions to meet high demand for immersion. The provincial government is collaborating with French language postsecondary institutions to make teaching programs more accessible.
Canadian Parents for French Supports Bill C-32: An Opportunity to Bring Canada’s Linguistic Duality to Life
CPF is very pleased that Bill C-32 was finally tabled in Parliament. The Bill aims to modernize the Official Languages Act.
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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