The Government of Canada supports the recruitment and retention of teachers in minority French-language schools and in French immersion and French as a second language programs through a new national strategy and is supporting Simon Fraser University’s French program.

“Over the generations, Francophones in every region of Canada have kept their vibrant language and culture alive. Our government knows that teachers play a crucial role in ensuring the vitality of official-language minority communities and the promotion of bilingualism across the country. That’s why I’m pleased to announce this strategy. It is the result of a strong collaboration with the provinces, territories and community organizations.”

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

“British Columbia has been working hard across ministries to ensure learners have access to French language education. This federal investment is a big step towards reinforcing our commitment to diversity. Funding that strengthens partnership and collaboration throughout British Columbia’s K-12 and post-secondary ecosystems is always welcome, and will ultimately increase educational and career opportunities for the next generation.”

­—The Honourable Melanie Mark, Chair of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) and Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training for British Columbia

“More and more British Columbians want to learn both of Canada’s official languages and it’s important they have that opportunity. We welcome this support to help address the shortage of French teachers. This investment builds on the work we’ve done with the Government of Canada to date, including funding 74 additional seats over two years for French teacher education at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia (UBC) and UBC-Okanagan.”

—The Honourable Rob Fleming, Minister of Education for British Columbia

“This investment of funds for Simon Fraser University will continue to support our commitment to train the next generation of French teachers, at a time of increasing demand. It will also enable SFU to expand its overall French programming across faculties for those who share the value of learning in both of Canada’s official languages.”

— Kris Magnusson, Dean, Faculty of Education, Simon Fraser University

• According to Statistics Canada’s 2016 Census, Francophone communities outside Quebec represent 3.8 percent of the population, and the rate of bilingualism among Anglophones outside Quebec is 6.8 percent. According to 2036 projections, the percentage of Francophones outside Quebec could fall to three percent, and the national bilingualism rate could increase only among Francophones in Quebec.

• According to Statistics Canada, the number of students enrolled in immersion programs increased to 47.8 percent from 2006–07 to 2016–17, and the number of students enrolled in French minority-language schools increased to 14.3 percent.

• As part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023: Investing in Our Future, the Government of Canada is investing $62.6 million over four years to support the recruitment and retention of teachers in Francophone minority schools and teachers of French immersion and French as a second language programs.

• The Action Plan for Official Languages includes an investment of $2.7 billion over five years, including $500 million in new funding, to support official-language minority communities and promote bilingualism across the country.

Related products

• Backgrounder: The Government of Canada is Helping Address the Shortage of French Teachers Across the Country and Supporting Simon Fraser University’s French Program

Associated links

• Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023: Investing in Our Future
• Official Languages Support Programs

Jérémy Ghio
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
jeremy.ghio@canada.ca

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