On March 5, 2025, Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, along with Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Vanier, on behalf of the Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, announced over $60 million in funding for two initiatives that support early learning and child care initiatives in Francophone minority communities.
The Commission nationale des parents francophones (CNPF) is receiving $47.7 million in new funding to create a network of early learning and child care stakeholders that will support cross-sectoral coordination in the implementation of specific initiatives for Francophone minority communities across Canada. Through partnerships, the network will provide funding for the implementation of specific initiatives that will improve access to quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care services and programs for children and families in Francophone minority communities, while helping to build Francophone cultural identity and supporting the French-speaking workforce in the sector.
The Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC) is receiving $16.3 million to expand and continue the development of initial, continuous and specialized training programs for early childhood educators in Francophone minority communities. The ACUFC will fund initiatives that aim to address challenges facing the early childhood sector, strengthen the skills of early childhood educators and promote the profession while supporting access to high quality child care for children and their families in Francophone minority communities.
Saskatchewan Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, Alana Ross, proclaimed the month of March as Rendez-vous de la Francophonie to promote Francophone culture and the French language.
“Everyone should find time to celebrate our amazing French communities,” Ross said. “Celebrating French culture is vital for unity and identity. It enriches our heritage, strengthens bilingualism and fosters inclusivity. We are so fortunate to have such a rich French culture in Saskatchewan.”
As Saskatchewan marks the 27th anniversary of Rendez-vous celebrations, communities across the province are gearing up for a month filled with exploration and excitement under this year’s theme, “Cultivate your roots.” From vibrant local concerts showcasing Francophone artists to events like flag raising ceremonies, there’s something for everyone to discover and enjoy through the festivities.
Later this month, an event will be held at the Legislature in partnership with the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise (ACF) to recognize the International Day of La Francophonie which is celebrated nationwide on March 20.
“For 27 years, we have celebrated the French heritage in Saskatchewan through the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie in partnership with the province,” ACF President Denis Simard said. “This year, under the theme ‘Cultivate Your Roots,’ we invite everyone to take a moment to explore and embrace the Francophone culture around them.”
To find events near you, visit the calendar section of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie website at www.rvf.ca, available in both English and French.
For information on French-language services provided by the Government of Saskatchewan, visit: www.saskatchewan.ca/bonjour.
Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir and Minister of Technology and Innovation and Francophone Community Liaison Nate Glubish issued the following statement on Alberta Francophonie Month:
“This month, we recognize the vital contributions of French-speaking Albertans to our communities, culture and economy. Raising the Franco-Albertan flag is a proud tribute to our shared heritage and bright future.
“French is the second-most spoken language in Alberta, with over 260,000 speakers who either speak it as their mother tongue or use it at home. Their role in enriching our culture, fostering economic development and strengthening diversity, is invaluable.
“Alberta’s government remains committed to enhancing French-language services to better serve French-speaking Albertans. Over the past year, we have made meaningful progress in justice, health, child care, and we will continue working to expand access and opportunities.
“We also recognize the invaluable efforts of our partners—community leaders, educators, non-profits and businesses—who drive the continued growth and vitality of Alberta’s Francophonie.
“Their dedication strengthens our province.
“To everyone who nurtures and preserves our francophone heritage, thank you.
“This month, I invite all Albertans to take part in the celebrations, explore the richness of our shared history and support the continued vibrancy of the Francophonie in Alberta.”
Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women
“One of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave me was sending me to a French immersion program when I was younger. Being immersed in French from an early age was transformative. It expanded my worldview, gave me access to diverse cultural experiences, and instilled in me a lifelong love for languages.
“Now, as a parent, I am thrilled to pass on this legacy to my son. Enrolling him in a French immersion kindergarten program was a decision rooted in the desire to give him the same opportunities I had. Watching him learn and speak French, I am filled with pride and optimism for his future. We practice French at home, making language learning a family affair.
“Francophonie Month is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the francophone community in Alberta. It is a time to reflect on the importance of linguistic diversity and to honour the resilience and passion of those who keep the French language alive.
“Alberta’s francophones have made, and continue to make, invaluable contributions to our province. Let us celebrate their legacy and work towards a future that embraces and celebrates bilingualism.”
Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation and Francophone Community Liaison
Monday February 24, 2025, Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament (Yukon), announced a $185,735 investment in la Société des immeubles franco-yukonnais. He made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Rachel Bendayan, Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety.
The funding, through the Community Spaces Fund of the Official Languages Support Programs, will allow the Société to renovate le Centre de la francophonie in Whitehorse, a services hub and gathering place for Yukon’s Francophone community.
Enhancements include soundproofing offices, upgrading flooring, repairing roofing and modernizing reception areas. These updates will create a contemporary, functional and welcoming space for staff and community members.
Each year, more than 3,500 people rely on services and support through le Centre de la francophonie. It provides facilities to a number of important organizations, including the Association franco-yukonnaise, the representative organization for Yukon’s Francophone community, as well as the Partenariat communauté en santé, the Francophone health network in Yukon, and l’Aurore boréale, the territory’s Francophone newspaper.
On Monday February 17, 2025, the Honourable Rachel Bendayan, Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety, announced the ratification of the new Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction for the period from 2024 to 2028.
As part of this collaboration agreement, the federal government is investing more than $1.4 billion to support minority-language education and second-language instruction. The Protocol also includes funds dedicated to the recruitment and retention of teachers and to post-secondary education in the minority language.
Put together, this agreement will strengthen official-language minority communities and make second-language instruction more accessible across the country.
The Protocol breakdown is as follows:
- Minority-language education – $707,204,968
- Second-language instruction – $578,368,460
- Post-secondary education in the minority language – $104,000,000
- Recruitment and retention of teachers (in French-language minority schools and French immersion and second-language programs) – $50,970,000
The Manitoba government announced it is proudly providing Festival du Voyageur with $324,000 as it celebrates its 56th year showcasing Manitoba’s rich francophone heritage, Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy announced today.
“Festival du Voyageur is not only a cultural highlight but also an economic driver for Manitoba,” said Kennedy. “With events that draw well over 75,000 visitors, this festival is an opportunity to connect with our province’s heritage through music, storytelling, historical interpretations and more. We look forward to seeing you all there.”
Since 1969, Festival du Voyageur’s long-standing commitment to showcasing Manitoba’s francophone roots has made it a beacon of cultural pride, noted the minister. Running from Feb. 14 to 23 at Whittier Park and other locations in St. Boniface, the festival celebrates Manitoba’s diverse francophone cultures and fur-trading history.
To learn more about Festival du Voyageur, visit https://heho.ca/
A report on the Government of Saskatchewan’s French-language Services Policy highlighting the achievements of our ministries, Crown Corporations and agencies.
To read the 2023-2024 annual report
On Monday December 16, 2024, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, along with the Government of Alberta, announced the ratification of the Canada-Alberta Agreement on French-Language Services from 2023–24 to 2027–28. This agreement provides a federal financial contribution totalling more than $11,200,000 to the province over five years.
By supporting province-wide planning and delivery of services, this funding makes accessing French-language services in Alberta easier and contributes to the vitality of the Franco-Albertan community. These funds will support key provincial sectors, including economic development, the arts, culture and heritage, health and physical activity, justice, immigration, and social services and community support.
French-language services actively provided by government departments and agencies are critical to the promotion of bilingualism and the equal status of both official languages. Over the past year, the federal government has signed 10 new intergovernmental cooperation agreements on minority-language services.
Read the Complete Press Release
In his 2023-2024 Annual Report, released today, French Language Services Commissioner Carl Bouchard calls on the Ministry of Francophone Affairs to publish a comprehensive digital directory of services covered by the French Language Services Act (FLSA), so Francophones can easily find and access them.
A digital tool would build on the substantial improvements made to services in French in recent years, notes the Commissioner, who oversees compliance with the Act in provision of those services and recommends further improvements each year under the FLSA in his Annual Report.
“When travelling around the province, I have heard from many people who had no idea that the FLSA existed,” he says in the report. “Even Ontarians who had heard of it told me they don’t know which Government of Ontario services were covered by the FLSA or where they could find these services in their communities.”
Commissioner Bouchard’s report summarizes the tangible results achieved by the Office of the Ombudsman and its French Language Services Unit. It presents an increase of 2.3% in the number of cases received compared to last year: 395 cases received between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. This is the highest annual total since the Ombudsman’s Office was tasked with oversight of the application of the French Language Services Actin 2019.
The report presents 27 examples of cases resolved during the past year, which led to the concrete improvement of French-language services in Ontario.
To access the Ontario Ombudsman website
The Government of Yukon has released the 2023–24 Report on French-language services. The report highlights the government’s strategic initiatives and progress to enhance access to timely services and information in French and support a thriving Yukon Francophone community.
Report highlights include:
- setting new priorities to enhance access to services and information in French through the 2023–25 Strategic framework for French-language services;
- securing over $2.2 million in additional funding from the Government of Canada over five years to develop two strategies to increase access to health care services in French in the Yukon;
- leveraging existing communications channels and developing new ones to share relevant and valuable bilingual information to the public in a timely manner, such as the Wildfire Hub; and
- continuing to build bilingual capacities within government by providing employees with the training, support and tools they need to deliver French-language services. This leads to an increase in bilingual services, such as prenatal and postnatal care, and contributes to the long-term sustainability of these services.
This report also showcases how the government helps foster a vibrant Yukon Francophonie by supporting community-based projects and organizations.
Report on French-language services 2023-2024
2023-2025 Strategic framework for French-language services
On November 15, 2024, the Government of Prince Edward Island tabled the 2023-2024 Minister’s report on the French Language Services Act.
The Acadian and Francophone Affairs Secretariat prepares the report on behalf of the Minister Responsible for Acadian and Francophone Affairs to show the provincial government’s progress in responding to the French language service needs of the community in PEI.
Highlights from 2023-2024 report include:
- A total of 387 bilingual employees work within the provincial government, with 161 of them working in designated bilingual positions.
- The French Language Training Incentive Program, launched in fall 2023, has increased demand significantly for French-language training by government employees.
- The new Active Offer program in Home Care services for seniors has led to an increase in clients registered to receive home care services in French, provided by bilingual staff.
Read the complete report
Funding of $220,225 has been provided through a new five-year Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement on French Language Services between Canadian Heritage and the Department of Digital Government and Service NL.
The funding supports 12 projects that will advance the planning and delivery of services in French throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and will be matched by contributions that come from a mix of community, municipal and other Government of Newfoundland and Labrador sources.
Ten recipients have received funding through the agreement:
- City of St. John’s
- Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Memorial University
- MusicNL
- Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (three projects)
- Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries
- The Rooms
- Town of Cape St. George
- Town of Fortune
- Town of Stephenville
Read the complete Press Release
Monday October 28, 2024, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, announced an investment of $12.5 million as part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028. This major investment is designed to support official language minority community media across Canada and strengthen their ability to effectively serve their communities.
Of this amount, $7.6 million will be allocated to 89 new projects over the next four years, contributing to the vitality of community media in minority communities across the country. This investment will help identify and implement the measures needed to strategically strengthen community media and increase their capacity to serve Canada’s official language minority populations.
In addition, $5 million will be used to train the next generation of community media professionals and address labour shortages in the sector. Thanks to this measure, 125 paid internships will be created at 98 community media organizations across Canada, enabling interns to acquire skills and media to benefit from additional human resources.
Read the full Press Release
Report of the Standing Committee on Official Languages on Economic Development of Official Language Minority Communities – October 2024
On Tuesday October 22, 2024, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, announced an investment of $8.5 million over five years to support and strengthen Canada’s French-language research ecosystem. This investment aims to respond to the pressing challenges facing French-speaking researchers by offering them better support for the production, discoverability and dissemination of their work in French.
To support this effort, an external advisory group on the creation and dissemination of scientific information in French will be established. This group will provide advice and recommendations to Minister Boissonnault and develop a federal strategy to ensure the long-term viability of Canada’s French-language research ecosystem.
The advisory panel’s mandate will be to analyze the current dynamics of the creation and dissemination of scientific knowledge in French in Canada. It will also propose actions that account for the dynamics of official language minority communities and Quebec.
The panel is made up of experts and specialists from across Canada who will share their knowledge and experience in a variety of fields. They are:
- Anne Leis, Professor, University of Saskatchewan
- Danielle de Moissac, Professor, Université de Saint-Boniface
- Gary W. Slater, Professor, University of Ottawa
- Linda Cardinal, Professor and Associate Vice-President of Research, Université de l’Ontario français
- Mamadou Fall, Distinguished University Professor and Director, University of Ottawa
- Valérie Lapointe-Gagnon, Associate Professor, Faculté Saint-Jean, University of Alberta
- Vincent Larivière, Professor, Université de Montréal
- Michelle Landry, Associate Professor, Université de Moncton
- Rémi Léger, Professor, Simon Fraser University
- Patrick Poirier, Executive Director Les Presses, Université de Montréal
The complete Press Release
Nova Scotia has signed on September 20, 2024, a new five-year funding agreement with the Government of Canada to continue advancing French-language services across the province.
The Canada-Nova Scotia Agreement on Minority-language Services commits both governments to investing $11.8 million each between 2023 and 2028 to support the development and vitality of the Acadian and francophone community.
“We are pleased to renew this agreement with the federal government as we look at ways to provide ongoing support to departments, offices and agencies of government to provide programs and services which respond to the priorities of Nova Scotia’s Acadian and francophone community,” said Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie. “This agreement strengthens our capacity to deliver French-language services and continue to promote, protect and preserve the French language and culture in Nova Scotia.”
Nova Scotia is receiving 81 per cent more in federal funding compared to the previous agreement.
To read the complete press release.
Thursday August 22, 2024, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, announced more than $2.7 million in funding over two years for the Université de Moncton. She made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, accompanied by the Honourable Greg Turner, New Brunswick Minister of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour.
This funding will be devoted to a major project to modernize specialized equipment on all three Université de Moncton campuses to meet current labour market standards. It will also be used to replace computer equipment in training laboratories, which has become incompatible with recent versions of professional software. This project also includes renovation work at the Edmundston and Shippagan campuses.
This major project will run until March 2026. To support the project, the Government of Canada is contributing $580,282 in 2024–2025 and $805,545 in 2025–2026, for a total of $1,385,827. The Government of New Brunswick is matching this amount, bringing the total investment from both orders of government to $2,771,654.
To read the complete press release