Canadian Parents for French

Canadian Parents for French CPF was founded in 1977 by parents who wanted to ensure that children would have the opportunity to become bilingual in the Canadian school system.

Keith Spicer, at the time, Canada’s first Commissioner of Official Languages, had met 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 board. 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 the weekend-long conference that CPF was officially founded as a volunteer-based advocacy group. The first conference determined a few things that are fundamental to the history of CPF. For one, the group outlined its goals, and two, the group elected its first National Board of Directors. Pat Webster became the first Chair or President of CPF. The first Directors were: Judith Madley (British Columbia), David Saunders (Prairie Region), Pat Webster (Ontario), Elizabeth Annesley (Quebec), and Mary Lou Morrison (Atlantic Region). This original small group of concerned parents who met in Ottawa over 30 years ago, has evolved into a proactive national network with 11 Branch offices and some 170 Chapters in communities coast to coast.

Every family's French journey is unique—and CPF is here to support you along the way. 💙Whether you're exploring French-l...
10/10/2026

Every family's French journey is unique—and CPF is here to support you along the way. 💙

Whether you're exploring French-learning opportunities for the first time, looking for activities beyond the classroom, or hoping to connect with other families, Canadian Parents for French is here to help.

As a CPF member, you can:
✨ Discover resources and tools for every stage of your journey
🎉 Participate in events, activities, and experiences
🤝 Connect with a community that shares your passion for French
🌱 Find opportunities to learn, use, and celebrate French together

No matter where your family is on its French journey, there's a place for you at CPF.

💙 Membership is free. Join today through the link or scan the QR code in the final slide.
🌐https://cpf.ca/join-cpf/

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Le parcours en français de chaque famille est unique, et CPF est là pour vous accompagner à chaque étape. 💙

Que vous découvriez les possibilités d'apprentissage du français, que vous cherchiez des activités au-delà de la salle de classe ou que vous souhaitiez rencontrer d'autres familles, Canadian Parents for French est là pour vous soutenir.

En devenant membre de CPF, vous pourrez :
✨ Découvrir des ressources et des outils adaptés à chaque étape de votre parcours
🎉 Participer à des activités, des événements et des expériences en français
🤝 Faire partie d'une communauté qui partage votre intérêt pour le français
🌱 Trouver des occasions d'apprendre, d'utiliser et de célébrer le français ensemble

Peu importe où vous en êtes dans votre parcours en français, il y a une place pour vous chez CPF.

💙 L'adhésion est gratuite. Inscrivez-vous dès aujourd'hui en cliquant sur le lien ou en balayant le code QR de la dernière diapositive.
🌐https://cpf.ca/join-cpf/

10/08/2026

📍FSL BURSARIES

🎓Studying in French could give your children a chance to receive $3,000!
are available at 41 postsecondary institutions in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Are your children already pursuing or wanting to pursue their postsecondary studies in French?
Encourage them to check if they’re eligible: ACUFC.ca/FSLbursaries

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📍BOURSES FLS

🎓Étudier en français pourrait donner à vos enfants la chance de recevoir 3 000 $!
Les sont disponibles dans 41 établissements postsecondaires partout au Canada pour l’année scolaire 2026-2027.

Vos enfants poursuivent déjà ou souhaitent poursuivre leurs études postsecondaires en
français? Encouragez-les à vérifier s’ils sont admissibles : ACUFC.ca/boursesFLS

🇨🇦 Canada’s bilingual future starts with opportunities to learn and use French.CPF welcomes the Commissioner of Official...
10/08/2026

🇨🇦 Canada’s bilingual future starts with opportunities to learn and use French.

CPF welcomes the Commissioner of Official Languages’ 2025–2026 Annual Report and its call to turn commitments into action. Sustained investment in educators, families and communities will help more young people build confidence in French, in the classroom and in everyday life.

Read our response to the report (link in bio).

🇨🇦 L’avenir bilingue du Canada commence par des occasions d’apprendre et d’utiliser le français.

CPF accueille favorablement le rapport annuel 2025–2026 de la commissaire aux langues officielles et son appel à concrétiser les engagements. Des investissements soutenus auprès des éducateur·rices, des familles et des communautés permettront à davantage de jeunes de gagner en confiance en français, en classe comme au quotidien.

Lisez notre réaction au rapport (lien en bio).

10/07/2026

What percentage of Canadians do you think are bilingual?

One coffee shop participant guessed 65%. The actual figure? ➡️ 17%.

At CPF, we believe French learning should be within reach for everyone. Opportunities to learn and use French mean more ways for Canadians to connect — and why we must keep working together to reach 20% bilingualism in Canada by 2036.

Stay tuned for others’ thoughts!

You can learn more about Building Beyond the 18% here: https://cpf.ca/campaigns-and-events/

A special thank you to everyone who stopped by the café and spoke with us in English and French. We appreciate your support and engagement!

Dites-le en vidéo 📹 Canadian Parents for French - BC & YukonWe’re happy to present Dites-le en vidéo : a contest for stu...
10/05/2026

Dites-le en vidéo 📹 Canadian Parents for French - BC & Yukon

We’re happy to present Dites-le en vidéo : a contest for students across Canada to showcase their French speaking and video making skills! We’re inviting students from across Canada to submit videos in French on anything from their favourite hobbies to their takes on what's going on in their lives – we want to learn all about what students are passionate about!

Students can submit their videos between October 5th and November 13th for the chance to win cash prizes! You can learn more at DitesLeEnVideo.ca.

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Dites-le en vidéo 📹

Nous sommes ravi.e.s de vous présenter Dites-le en vidéo : un concours qui permet aux élèves de tout le Canada de mettre en valeur leurs compétences linguistiques en français et leurs talents de vidéastes! Nous invitons les élèves de partout au Canada à soumettre des vidéos en français sur n'importe quel sujet : de leurs loisirs préférés à ce qui se passe dans leur vie. Nous souhaitons découvrir tout ce qui passionne les élèves!

Les étudiant.e.s peuvent soumettre leurs vidéos entre le 5 octobre et le 13 novembre pour courir la chance de gagner des prix en argent! Pour en savoir plus, consultez le site DitesLeEnVideo.ca.

Attention Teachers: Join Canadian Parents for French for our Virtual Bilingual Career Fair from November 16-27, 2026! 👔 ...
10/02/2026

Attention Teachers: Join Canadian Parents for French for our Virtual Bilingual Career Fair from November 16-27, 2026!

👔 Featuring a diverse cast of professionals, including a scientist, a project manager, a politician, an author and illustrator, and an entrepreneur.

Students can also enter a contest for the chance to win a trip to France, courtesy of EF Language Abroad!

🔗 Learn more and register your class: https://cpf.ca/virtual-career-fair/

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À l'attention des enseignants : Participez au Foire virtuelle aux carrières bilingues de Canadian Parents for French du 16 au 27 novembre 2026!

👔 La Foire met en scène des professionnels de tous horizons: un scientifique, un chef de projet, un politicien, un auteur et illustrateur, et un entrepreneur.

Les élèves peuvent également participer à un concours pour courir la chance de gagner un voyage en France, gracieuseté d’EF Language Abroad !

🔗 En savoir plus et s'inscrire votre classe : https://cpf.ca/virtual-career-fair/

Have you ever heard that children learning English should wait before learning French? Or that French Immersion is "too ...
10/01/2026

Have you ever heard that children learning English should wait before learning French? Or that French Immersion is "too difficult" for some students?

On October 21, 2026, join Canadian Parents for French for a conversation challenging common myths about English Additional Language (EAL) students in French Second Language (FSL) programs. Hear from leading researchers and educators about how multilingual learners can thrive in FSL programs and how families and educators can support EAL students along the way.


With municipal and school board elections taking place across Canada this fall, we'll also explore how local decision-makers help shape access to French-language education in our communities, and why French learning should be part of the conversation when voters head to the polls.

Join us for an engaging and informative discussion!

https://cpf.ca/events/english-learners-in-french-immersion-webinar/

uOttawa University of Regina

September 30 | National Day for Truth and ReconciliationToday, we remember the children who never returned home, honour ...
09/30/2026

September 30 | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Today, we remember the children who never returned home, honour residential school Survivors, and recognize the lasting impacts on Indigenous families, communities and Nations.

Truth and reconciliation call on all of us to listen, learn, reflect and take action—not only today, but throughout the year.

Language is an important part of culture, identity and connection. Learning about Indigenous languages and the work being done to revitalize them can help deepen our understanding of Indigenous cultures and reconciliation.

Looking to learn more? The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation offers educational resources on the history and legacy of residential schools and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation, including resources available in French.

Explore the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s resources: https://nctr.ca/education/education-resources/

Learn. Listen. Reflect. Act.

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30 septembre | Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation

Aujourd’hui, nous rendons hommage aux enfants qui ne sont jamais rentrés chez eux, aux personnes survivantes des pensionnats et aux familles, communautés et Nations autochtones touchées par leurs répercussions durables.

La vérité et la réconciliation nous appellent à écouter, à apprendre, à réfléchir et à agir — non seulement aujourd’hui, mais tout au long de l’année.

La langue est une partie importante de la culture, de l’identité et du lien avec les autres. En apprendre davantage sur les langues autochtones et les efforts déployés pour les revitaliser peut contribuer à approfondir notre compréhension des cultures autochtones et de la réconciliation.

Vous souhaitez en apprendre davantage? Le Centre national pour la vérité et la réconciliation offre des ressources éducatives sur l’histoire et les séquelles des pensionnats ainsi que sur le cheminement continu vers la réconciliation, notamment des ressources en français.

Découvrez les ressources du Centre national pour la vérité et la réconciliation : https://nctr.ca/education/education-resources/

Apprendre. Écouter. Réfléchir. Agir.

💻 Volunteer on your schedule. Make a difference in French.Looking for a flexible way to volunteer while supporting Frenc...
09/28/2026

💻 Volunteer on your schedule. Make a difference in French.

Looking for a flexible way to volunteer while supporting French-language learning?

Join CPF's Virtual French Tutoring Program! Volunteers choose their own schedule each week, receive training modules, and connect virtually with students across Canada.

Whether you're passionate about French, enjoy working with children, or want to help young learners stay connected to French, we'd love to have you join us.

👉 Learn more and apply: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/2e764547-f8f9-4377-901f-1340251b7105/Gvi/92faacfe-6756-48ee-a98f-d3f8eec5e716/2

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💻 Faites du bénévolat selon votre horaire et contribuez à l’apprentissage du français.

Vous cherchez une façon flexible de faire du bénévolat tout en appuyant l’apprentissage du français ?

Joignez-vous au programme de tutorat virtuel en français de CPF ! Les bénévoles choisissent leur propre horaire chaque semaine, ont accès à des modules de formation et travaillent virtuellement avec des élèves de partout au Canada.

Que vous soyez passionné·e par le français, aimiez travailler avec les enfants ou souhaitiez aider les jeunes à maintenir leur lien avec le français, nous aimerions vous compter parmi nous.

👉 Pour en savoir plus et poser votre candidature : https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/2e764547-f8f9-4377-901f-1340251b7105/Gvi/92faacfe-6756-48ee-a98f-d3f8eec5e716/2

FSL BURSARIESAs the fall term begins, it’s the perfect time to apply for the FSL bursaries, which supportpostsecondary s...
09/26/2026

FSL BURSARIES

As the fall term begins, it’s the perfect time to apply for the FSL bursaries, which support
postsecondary studies in French.

Encourage your children to apply!

For more info: ACUFC.ca/FSLbursaries

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BOURSES FLS

Le début de la session d’automne est le moment idéal pour soumettre une demande pour les bourses FLS, qui soutiennent les parcours d’études postsecondaires en français.

Encouragez vos enfants à faire leur demande!

En savoir plus : ACUFC.ca/boursesFLS

Address

1104/170 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON
K1P5V5

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

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