Pillar 3 – Strong measures in support of community vitality

Context

Canada’s two official languages are central to Canadian identity. English and French have been spoken in what is now Canada for centuries. French came onto the scene in 1604, with the founding of historical Acadia in what is now Nova Scotia, and the founding of Québec in 1608 marked the beginning of a permanent European presence on these lands. Canada’s linguistic heritage is also enriched by roughly 70 Indigenous languages that have been spoken here from time immemorial, and owing to successive waves of immigration from around the world, more than 200 other languages are now spoken here on a daily basis, languages that contribute to Canada’s diversity. English, like French, has been spoken since the colonial period preceding the founding of Canada but has only grown in reach and momentum, to the point of becoming a language of international convergence. The Government is committed to implementing the measures proposed in Pillar 3 – Strong measures in support of community vitality.

Ministerial announcements

• March 5, 2025 – Press Release – Government of Canada invests more than $8.5 million to help five organizations carry out key projects for the French fact and the vitality of official languages
• March 5, 2025 – Press Release - Government of Canada boosts investment in the protection of official language minority communities
• February 17, 2025 – Press Release – Government of Canada invests more than $20 million to support official language minority communities
• Decembre 16, 2024 – Press Release - Supporting access to French-language services in Alberta
• November 14, 2024 – Press Release – Government of Canada continues to strengthen support for official language minority communities to enter the workforce
• August 28, 2024 – Press Release – Government of Canada invests in the future of Canadian Francophonie
• August 8, 2024 – Press Release – Government of Canada strengthens its support for official language minority communities
• August 7, 2024 – Press Release – Acadie de Chezzetcook receives more than $1.5 million to develop new cultural facilities
• July 17, 2024 – Press Release – Government of Canada invests more than $350,000 in La Picasse Cultural Community Centre
• May 13, 2024 – Press Release – Investing in Francophone organizations in Northeastern Ontario
• April 11, 2024 – Press Release – Government of Canada launches new Employment Assistance Services funding stream to strengthen the vitality of official language minority communities
• March 6, 2024 – Press Release – Investing in Official Languages in Alberta
• March 1st, 2024 – Press Release – Minister Boissonnault announces significant core funding increase for official language community organizations
• September 25, 2023 – Press Release – Government of Canada announces funding for Francophone organizations in Ontario on Franco-Ontarian Day

Related links

• Official Languages Support Programs - Canada.ca
• Accueil - Passepart (monpassepart.ca) (French only)
• Building Communities through Arts and Heritage - Canada.ca
• Canada Music Fund - Canada.ca
• Solicited Call -Social Partnership Initiative for Official Language Minority Communities - Canada.ca
• Official Languages Health Program - Canada.ca
• Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund
• Court Challenges Program - Canada.ca
• Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities - Canada.ca