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The Manitoba government is honoured to welcome 15 ambassadors and diplomats from the Groupe d’Ambassadrices et d’Ambassadeurs francophones d’Ottawa (GAF), which represents more than 50 member states of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard, minister responsible for francophone affairs, announced today.

As part of the province’s ongoing commitment to support the Island’s Acadian and francophone community, the new Acadian Heritage Month Fund (AHMF) provides a total of $20,000 in financial assistance to NPOs that deliver community activities that celebrate Acadian culture, heritage, and traditions. 

On Tuesday April 14, 2026, on behalf of the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the Honourable Mona Fortier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Ottawa–Vanier–Gloucester, announced an investment of just over $815,000 for Institut du Savoir Montfort (ISM) to expand the capacity of the Montfort Innovation Lab.

The Ontario government intends to introduce legislation that, if passed, would amend the Ombudsman Act to require the office holder to be proficient in French and English. This change would support the Ombudsman in their function of directly overseeing French language service rights for the province’s more than 650,000 Francophones.

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced the tabling in Parliament of the draft regulations on the use of French in federally regulated private businesses. 

The Government of Canada supports the vitality of Francophone communities as well as a more dynamic and inclusive scientific ecosystem.

Monday April 13, 2026, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced $1 million funding for fiscal year 2025–26 to support French-language research in Canada. 

Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada Kelly Burke made the following statement as she took office on March 30, 2026 :

“I am deeply honoured to have been appointed Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada.

“I am committed to promoting a modern and inclusive bilingualism that fully supports the development of both official language minority communities, protects French across the country and ensures Canada’s linguistic vitality for generations to come.

In support of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) commitment to ongoing and continuous improvement of health and social services programs, the GNWT is sharing the results of the recent compliance audit on French language primary care services.

The Government of Canada is investing in Francophone municipal leadership through targeted support for the 2026 AFMO Conference. Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor, announced a $15,000 investment to help the Association française des municipalités de l’Ontario (AFMO) deliver this major event in Sudbury on March 25–26, 2026. 

The Manitoba government is marking International Day of La Francophonie with a series of events, including the official launch of the consultation report on Manitoba: A Truly Bilingual Province, Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard, minister responsible for francophone affairs, announced.

Minister Caitlin Cleveland issued the following statement to mark National Francophonie Day:

“Today, we celebrate the Francophonie and the important role Franco-ténois communities play in the Northwest Territories. For generations, they have helped shape our schools, workplaces, arts, culture, and public service. Their contributions help make the NWT a place where people can connect, pursue opportunities, and thrive.

On International Day of La Francophonie, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced an investment of approximately $1.5 million to support 3 new projects funded under the Francophone Immigration Support Program.

The Manitoba government is investing almost $340,000 to support five projects that celebrate francophone culture and support francophone communities through the From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program, Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard, minister responsible for francophone affairs, announced today.

 

The Government of Saskatchewan joined students, community leaders, and Francophone organizations at the Saskatchewan Gallery today to celebrate Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, which has once again been proclaimed for the month of March in recognition of the vitality of French language and culture in Saskatchewan.

The Ontario government is continuing to support the province’s vibrant Francophone communities with the launch of the 2026–2027 Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP). Through the FCGP, Ontario is protecting the cultural and economic vitality of the Francophone community by funding initiatives that improve access to French‑language services, strengthen organizational capacity and promote Francophone culture.

Students considering the Bachelor of Education, Français langue seconde (French as a second language) at the University of Prince Edward Island now have extra motivation to choose that path.

New financial incentives, supported by Canadian Heritage and administered by the departments of Education and Early Years and Workforce and Advanced Learning, will help reduce education costs and encourage graduates to stay and teach on the Island.

Acadians, Francophones, French-speaking Island residents are celebrating the French language and francophone culture during les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF).

Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir issued the following statement on Alberta Francophonie Month:

“This March, we celebrate the enduring presence of Alberta’s French-speaking communities and the significant contributions they have made in shaping Alberta’s cultural, social and economic fabric.

On Friday February 27, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, welcomed the appointment of Kelly A. Burke as Canada’s new Commissioner of Official Languages. This appointment, which was recently approved by the House of Commons and the Senate, is effective March 30, 2026.