CPF Magazine Winter 2020 Issue

Celebrating
40 Years of
Canadian Parents for French
SASKATCHEWAN
BY KAREN POZNIAK, BRANCH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In August 2019, Canadian Parents for French Saskatchewan
formally celebrated its 40th anniversary with a President's
Reception. Supporters gathered for an evening of music and
camaraderie. The mood was light and friendly, the hors d'oeuvres
were plentiful and delicious, the beverages were refreshing, and the
crowd mixed and mingled and shared stories. What a lovely evening
it turned out to be!
Janet Loseth, the incoming Branch Board President, welcomed
the guests by saying, “We are immensely pleased to see so many
people here. There are representatives from government attending
and from our Francophone partners. There are current and former
members present. Hélène Grimard, our Volunteer of the Year
recipient for 2018-2019, is here. For a period of time which spans
36 years, Hélène has been a judge at the Provincial Final of Concours
d'art oratoire. She is a shining example of our greatly appreciated
volunteers. We would never have gotten to this milestone, the
40th anniversary, without the Hélène's of this world ... the many,
many, many dedicated volunteers, staff, partners, supporters,
funders, who helped to get us to this day."
The Honourable Gordon Wyant, Deputy Premier and Minister
of Education, could not attend but did prepare a letter which
Ms. Loseth read out to the crowd. In part, his comments included,
"On behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I would like to
commend Canadian Parents for French (CPF) Saskatchewan on
celebrating 40 years of furthering bi- and multilingualism in our province
and country. The opportunities provided by your organization
to not only Saskatchewan's youth, but all citizens of this country, is a
beaming indication of the cultural growth and diversified success of all
those who call Canada home. After four decades, CPF Saskatchewan
can proudly assert that they have done an outstanding job in supporting
our students and citizens as they learn the French language."
Derrek Bentley, Vice-President of the National Board of
Directors, brought greetings on behalf of Canadian Parents for
French. National Board Director Richard Slevinsky also attended.
Kelly Block (Conservative Member of Parliament for Carlton Trail -
Eagle Creek) and Sheri Benson (New Democratic Member of
Parliament for Saskatoon West, at the time) spoke to the contributions
made and the role the organization has and is playing in
fostering support for official bilingualism. Ms. Benson presented
Ms. Loseth with a framed commemorative certificate.
Denis Simard, President of the Board of Directors of
l’Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise, congratulated the
volunteers and staff, and remarked, in part, "Canadian Parents for
French has played one of the most significant roles in changing
attitudes, influencing decision makers and molding public opinion
facing our bilingualism."
In conclusion, Ms. Loseth added, "For 40 years, Canadian
Parents for French Saskatchewan has been an informed and
passionate advocate for all who value Canada's official bilingualism.
The organization has used solid research to educate the populationat-large
about the value of bilingualism within the multilingual and
multicultural tapestry that is Canada."
After the program, guests stayed and continued to enjoy the
musical styling of Crestwood, the food and the company. n
10 CPF MAGAZINE WINTER 2020