CPF Magazine Spring 2021 Issue

SPRING 2021 

Magazine 

$6.95 • FREE FOR MEMBERS 

CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH 

BILINGUALISM: 

A HOT SKILL FOR 

JOB SEEKERS 

THE GIFT OF 

EXPRESSING MYSELF 

IN BOTH LANGUAGES 

TAKE YOUR CAREER 

FURTHER AS A 

FRENCH TEACHER

U N I V E R S I T É D E S A I N T - B O N I F A C E 

CPF YOUTH YOUTH ACTIVITY ACTIVITY PAGE 

Consider the gift of French 

in a post-secondary setting 

So, you chose to offer your child a chance to become 

bilingual by enrolling them in a French immersion school. 

That’s great! But did you know that many lose much of their 

acquired language skills by the time they are 22 years of age? 

scan me 

It is necessary to practice French on a regular basis in order to maintain 

language proficiency. Pursuing one’s post-secondary studies in French is one 

of the best solutions for practicing and improving written and oral skills. 

#VisezUSB 

Learn more at ustboniface.ca/gift 

/ustboniface 

ustboniface.ca

Magazine 

CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH 


www.cpf.ca 


Table of Contents 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Betty Gormley, Rebecca Lancaster, 

Paola St Georges, and other authors and 

organizations, as noted in their articles. 

EDITORIAL MANAGER 

Marcos Salaiza 

GRAPHIC DESIGN 

Stripe Graphics Ltd. 

PRINTING 

Trico Evolution 

SUBMISSIONS 

Canadian Parents for French 

1104 - 170 Laurier Ave. W. 

Ottawa, ON K1P 5V5 

(613) 235-1481, www.cpf.ca 

Advertising: Cathy Stone 

Canadian Parents for French 

Email: advertise@cpf.ca 

CPF Magazine is published three times per 

year for members of Canadian Parents for 

French. Our readership includes parents 

of students learning French as a second 

language, French language teachers, 

school board or district staff, and provincial, 

territorial and federal government staff 

responsible for official languages education. 

CHANGE OF ADDRESS 

To signal a change of address, 

contact Canadian Parents for French 

at (613) 235-1481, or email: 

cpf.magazine@cpf.ca 

Editorial material contained in this 

publication may not be reproduced 

without permission. 

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40063218 

Return undeliverable mail to Canadian 

Parents for French at the address above. 

To become an online subscriber, email 

cpf.magazine@cpf.ca. For an online version 

of this issue, visit www.cpf.ca. 

FEATURES 

3 Bilingualism: A Hot Skill For Job Seekers 

6 Be Willing To Be Uncomfortable 

12 The Gift of Expressing Myself in 

Both Languages 

18 IDÉLLO and Canadian Parents for French Celebrate 

French as a Second Language Teachers 

REGULAR ARTICLES 

2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

8 CPF NEWS 

Extreme Makover! Breathing New Life 

into CPF’s Website 

10 CPF BRANCHES: 

FSL TEACHER RECRUITMENT 

Take Your Career Further as a French Teacher 

15 CPF RESOURCE 

Stronger Together: CPF In Action! 

20 KEY CPF CONTACTS ACROSS CANADA 

21 CPF YOUTH ACTIVITY 

Tout pour la musique 

This issue of CPF Magazine is printed 

on 70lb Endurance Silk, using vegetable 

based inks. The paper is FSC certified by the 

Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), meaning 

it comes from well-managed forests and 

known sources, ensuring local communities 

benefit and sensitive areas are protected. 

Canadian Parents for French is a nationwide, research-informed, volunteer organization 

that promotes and creates opportunities to learn and use French for all those who 

call Canada home.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

As summer approaches, I cannot help but 

reflect on the fact we have collectively 

far surpassed the one-year mark of the 

pandemic. A pandemic that started for many 

of us as, “you will be working from home for 

a couple weeks, a month at most.” That sure 

changed quickly. 

Like me, I am sure many of you are fed up 

with all the changes that have been brought on 

through these many months. Some of you may 

have already flipped the page as we have all heard 

enough about the pandemic. Yet, as I write this, 

I keep reflecting on the past year. 

I am thankful in many ways that, due to my 

privilege, I have avoided many of the most devastating effects. 

I am thankful that I have been able to ‘physical distance’; 

isolate when needed; work from home; and that I have access 

to healthcare. I am also thankful that as a Network we have 

been able to continue carrying out our mandate and 

supporting families across the country. 

Although I am thankful, I cannot say it has not been 

challenging. The strange excitement of the first few months 

of having to develop new strategies and plans; of switching 

to virtual; of making it work, has disappeared. We have now 

normalized virtual events and meetings, and 

people are starting to experience fatigue, I 

understand it has been energy-draining to 

manage all the changes and conflicting emotions. 

I appreciate the way our volunteers have shown 

resilience despite the challenging year. 

If you are a parent with young kids, a youth 

in high school, a grandparent, a university student 

or anyone else reading this, please know that 

it is okay to feel what you are feeling, even if it 

conflicts inside you. As we all continue to get 

vaccinated, it is going to take time to adjust to 

that new reality as well. Through it all, the CPF 

Network continues to do its work of supporting 

each other. I believe the Network we have is vital… from a work 

perspective, but also now more than ever, from the fact that we 

all need a little extra support. 

Take the time you need, reach out if you need to, we are 

all here to support each other. n 

DERREK BENTLEY 

CPF NATIONAL PRESIDENT 

NEW Bursaries for Postsecondary Studies 

in French as a Second Language 

English-speaking students entering the first year of a college or university program 

could receive $3,000 to pursue their studies entirely or partly in French. 

It’s rewarding to be bilingual! 

Students who study in French have the opportunity to discover the diverse 

and rich culture of the Francophonie. Studies show that bilingualism 

leads to better employment opportunities and wages. 

Find out more: acufc.ca/FSLbursaries 

2 CPF MAGAZINE SPRING 2021

BY OFFICIAL LANGUAGES AND BILINGUALISM INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA 

Did you know that being bilingual can lead to more job offers and a 

better salary? According to Marie Mitsou, Career Corner Counsellor at 

the University of Ottawa, a bilingual employee can earn 5% to 20% 

more than a unilingual employee. Clearly, bilingualism is a valuable 

asset that pays off in many different ways! 

continued >> 

CPF MAGAZINE SPRING 2021 3

Given globalization and the mobility of today’s 

workforce, employers are drawing from 

an increasingly diverse and multicultural 

population, both locally and abroad. As a potential 

employee, gaining and activating a multicultural 

edge has become a condition for success in our 

interconnected world. In this environment, employers 

are seeking versatile employees with multiple 

qualifications who can navigate across different 

cultures and who have the ability to solve problems 

and multitask – qualities that are directly linked to 

knowing a second language. 

The ability to speak a second language can make 

your resume stand out from the crowd and can boost 

you to the top of the interview list. Marie Mitsou gave 

some sound advice to students who are preparing 

to enter the world of work, along with tips on how 

they can bring their bilingualism to the fore. 

1 

What 

advice would 

you give students who 

want to leverage their 

bilingualism? 

2 

What 

resources 

are available to 

students? 

A good way to make your bilingualism work for you 

is to look for organizations who value or require it, 

such as all levels of government, educational institutions, 

international organizations, tourism, healthcare, 

municipal services, etc. These organizations generally 

gravitate toward candidates with multilingual abilities. 

This requirement often disqualifies unilingual candidates 

and as such, narrows down the competition for these key 

jobs. Cities that promote a bilingual environment may 

also offer more opportunities. Consider expanding your 

job search to include these markets. 

Students who have achieved certified bilingual 

proficiency should market themselves as bilingual, not 

merely as second language learners. It is important 

to highlight your bilingualism, and associated 

communication skills, consistently and confidently at 

all touchpoints: resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letters, 

job application platforms, and interviews. Keep in mind 

that communication skills are one of the most valued 

and transferable skills across all sectors. Use that to your 

advantage. Furthermore, be sure to underscore any 

experiential learning activities carried out in your second 

language: such experiences are a very compelling way 

to demonstrate your ability to work in both languages 

in non-academic environments. Don’t forget to 

highlight them every chance you get! Finally, make your 

documents available in both languages and ensure that 

the quality of the language is impeccable. 

The first point of contact with a potential employer 

is through application documents, such as resumes, 

cover letters, and personal profiles. One of the most 

important elements to consider in creating these 

documents is to ensure that both content and format 

are as accurate and specific as possible. Be succinct and 

purposeful, and focus on experiences and responsibilities 

that reflect your competencies and that demonstrate 

specific and relevant skills. Don’t focus exclusively on 

the tasks; also emphasize key accomplishments and 

performance outcomes, supported by metrics. The 

uOttawa Career Corner has several resources including 

an online chat available Mondays to Fridays to help with 

that. Students can also make an appointment, during 

which we can review these documents together and look 

at development opportunities. 

To help you answer difficult questions, develop 

interview strategies, improve your communication 

skills, and reduce stress before an actual job interview, 

we recommend that you practice your interview skills 

through mock interviews – in both official languages. 

The Career Corner can provide support in this area 

by reviewing the questions typically asked (general, 

behavioural and situational) and role-playing to 

simulate an interview. Additional online resources 

are also available to help you develop these skills. 


3What steps can 

students take and 

when should they 

get started? 

It is never too early to start looking for interesting 

job opportunities through LinkedIn, a social media 

platform, job search sites, company websites, etc. Browse 

through these websites and get acquainted with the types 

of job positions, potential employers, locations, etc. Make 

a list of five to ten ideal jobs and 10-to-20 ideal employers. 

Create career alerts, search for employees on LinkedIn 

and try to find contacts that you may have in common. 

Once you do, reach out to them, consider informational 

interviews, etc. You should never underestimate the 

power of networking and spreading the word that you 

are looking for work opportunities. In fact, one in 200 

resumes will get you a job offer, while one in 12 “career 

conversations” will lead to one. So, don’t devote 100% of 

your time to applying for jobs; invest time in networking 

since it is likely to yield better results. 

To maintain an active network, keep in touch with 

friends, family, former employers, colleagues, professors, 

alumni, association members – anyone who might help 

generate information and job leads. Attend as many 

networking events as you can – either virtually or in person. 

Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is compelling 

and adds value to your CV rather than duplicating it. 

Personalize the “About You” section with unique, inspired 

content, add a great photo, grow your connections, get 

endorsements on your skills, link to external content, 

publish posts about your activities and accomplishments, 

etc. Finally, before creating or updating your profile, seek 

out ideas or inspiration from other graduates or people 

working in organizations that interest you. 

Also, according to a CareerBuilder study, 70% of 

employers use social media to screen candidates. Take 

the time to audit your social media accounts and ensure 

that your online persona reflects positively on you. n 

As a potential employee, 

gaining and activating 

a multicultural edge 

has become a condition 

for success in our 

interconnected world... 

The ability to speak a second 

language can make your 

resume stand out from the 

crowd and can boost you to 

the top of the interview list. 

Université d’Ottawa | University of Ottawa 

FRENCH IMMERSION 

at uOttawa 

A unique opportunity 

with unparalleled support! 

• French immersion available in 86 undergraduate programs 

• Open to core, extended and French immersion students 

• Special courses to make the transition to bilingual 

university studies 

• An extra $1,000 per year for studying bilingually 

• An authentic bilingual environment in Canada’s capital 

immersion@uOttawa.ca 

www.immersion.uOttawa.ca 

The Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI) is an integral 

part of the University of Ottawa’s vision for the future. OLBI strengthens 

and promotes education and research in the fields of teaching, evaluation 

and language policy design. It also brings together the University of 

Ottawa’s experts in official languages and bilingualism. 


Be willing to be 

UNCOMFORTABLE 

BY BETTY GORMLEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CPF ONTARIO 

Maya Dempsey, Recipient of the Queen’s University 

Chancellor Scholarship, Shares Her Path to Bilingualism 

Maya has been in French immersion 

since Senior Kindergarten at John 

English Junior Middle School. She is 

now in grade 12 at Bishop Allen Academy 

in Etobicoke, Ontario. 

In November, she was nominated by 

her high school to apply for the Queen’s 

University Chancellor’s Scholarship. The 

criteria to apply are: 

> Superior academic ability 

> Creative and original thinking 

> Proven leadership qualities 

> Nominated by your High School 

Thousands of students all over 

Canada applied this year and only 

50 candidates received the scholarship. 

In February, Maya received the 

wonderful news. She had won – a total 

of $36,000 that she could use toward 

her tuition over her 4 years at 

Queen’s University! 

“I am still in shock.” Maya says. “I am 

checking the website to make sure this 

is real. I got so emotional and I had a big 

moment of gratitude for all the amazing 

teachers and mentors that provided 

so many opportunities to develop my 

leadership capacities. I felt so honoured.” 

Maya had many leadership 

opportunities such as participating in the 

SLAM club (Servant Leaders and Mentors) 

with a focus on service to others and 

creating a sense of belonging. She was part 

of a small group discussing what is going 

on in the world and developing service 

projects. For instance, she arranged for 

elementary students to come visit her 

high school. 

Maya says: “I’ve grown in that 

program. I had opportunities to become 

a coach of the ‘Champions Club’ where 

we offered reading activities and physical 

fitness activities to kids who are living 

below the poverty line.” 

About her experience of having her 

education in French as a second language, 

Maya says: “There is a lot that French 

immersion has given me. It has been 

an extra challenge to learn in a second 

language, especially in the early years. I’ve 

learned how to be resilient, to rise and to 

overcome that challenge. This changed the 

way I engaged myself in the world and also 

in my everyday life.” 

In addition to her role as a leader, 

Maya also had incredible opportunities to 

use her French and to experience some 

French culture. When she turned 15 years 


old, she went to France for 3 weeks to stay 

with a family that had a child the same age 

as her. It was her first time travelling alone. 

”It was the first time I was 

communicating in French outside school. 

French immersion education allowed me 

to put myself out there. I surprised myself 

with my ability to speak French and it 

was wonderful to have such an authentic 

experience. French immersion opened 

so many doors, not only to get a better 

understanding of the French language, 

but also to experience French culture in 

Canada and internationally. I became more 

aware of life outside my community,” 

says Maya. 

As French immersion opened 

Maya’s world, she continued her 

adventure outside her comfort zone by 

participating in the Explore program. The 

Federal government offers this bursary 

program, making it possible for hundreds 

of students annually to benefit from an 

immersion experience and improve their 

knowledge of one of Canada’s two official 

languages: French or English. When she 

was 16 years old, Maya spent five weeks 

in the summer program in Jonquière, in 

the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of 

Québec. “Meeting people from all 

over North America was incredible,” 

says Maya. 

When asked if she considers herself 

as fully bilingual, Maya replies: “I think 

so. It is the biggest value of my French 

education. It will be beneficial as I move 

forward in my life.” Maya doesn’t know 

how bilingualism will play out in her 

future, but she is certain that she doesn’t 

want to lose her French. She is looking 

forward to opportunities to maintain her 

French, like joining a French club. She is 

also looking forward to studying overseas 

in a French-speaking country as Queen’s 

offers the 3rd year of study abroad. 

She will be pursuing a degree in 

business and she affirms that she would 

love to have opportunities to travel in 

her job and work in French. 

When asked what advice she would 

give to kids in an immersion program 

transitioning into high school? 

“I would say just do it!” says Maya. 

Even though she was sometimes 

skeptical about the benefits, it turns 

out the extra-curricular activities she 

had with French immersion were 

the most beneficial thing for her. 

The Explore program and going to 

France pushed her into unfamiliar 

situations and improved her 

understanding of French culture. 

After going through these two 

major experiences, Maya feels 

more connected to what she 

has been learning at school. 

“Be willing to be 

uncomfortable! If you stick 

with it, it’s worth it!” 

that’s her advice and she 

confirms that she would 

definitely do it again 

without hesitation! 

CPF Ontario thanks Maya for 

sharing her story with us. We applaud 

her courage, her leadership, and 

her enthusiasm about her path to 

bilingualism. 

We wish her all the best in the next 

chapter of her life, the journey she will 

be starting this September at Queen’s 

University. n 

“If you stick with it, it’s worth it!” 

that’s her advice and she confirms 

that she would definitely do it 

again without hesitation! 


CPF NEWS 

Breathing New Life 

into CPF’s Website 


CPF NEWS 

Do you hear that? It’s the whir of servers and the hum of 

CPUs rushing our latest news, best resources and most 

inspiring stories to your screen. 

Whether you visit the new cpf.ca on your laptop or on your 

phone, CPF is proud to bring you—our members, advocates, and 

friends—an online experience that will knock your socks off. 

Our goal is to put information, tools and inspiration at 

YOUR fingertips. In the fall we will be completing phase 2 of 

the website which will include member exclusive content and 

a dedicated space for volunteers to locate additional internal 

support and resources. 

With the redesigned website we want to reach new 

audiences, from parents considering enrolling their children 

in a FSL program to stakeholders trying to make an informed 

decision, and of course, improve our CPF members’ experience 

and keep adding value to membership to further support them. 

We invite you to explore the new website and share with 

us what you think! If you have any questions about the new 

cpf.ca, contact Paola St Georges, Network Manager, Web 

Project Communications at CPF. She’ll be happy to hear from 

you: pstgeorges@cpf.ca 

Our new website is a project that has been a year in the making! It has all the great 

content we have always shared but it now boasts many new features, including: 

A clean, simplified design that 

improves your user experience. 

Revamped menus and navigation to help 

you find what you’re looking for faster. 

NEWS YOU CAN USE: 

Our cross-Canada team continues 

to update the site with: 

> the latest news in French Second 

Language (FSL) education, 

> tools for parents, educators 

and advocates, 

> developments in research 

and more! 

An event calendar featuring activities led 

by Chapters, Branches and National Office 

across Canada. 

New resources for families considering 

putting their children in a FSL program, 

and supporting young people in their 

journey to bilingualism. 

New resources for educators teaching, 

advocating, and promoting FSL education. 

New sections celebrating the FSL Champions 

among us and highlighting advocacy efforts 

across Canada. 

Three clearly distinct ways of getting 

involved with CPF – Now it will be easier 

than ever to become a member, to donate, 

or to volunteer. 

And so much more! 

Our goal is to put 

information, tools 

and inspiration at 

YOUR fingertips. 


CPF EVENTS BRANCHES FSL TEACHER RECRUITMENT 

Take Your Career Further 

as a French Teacher 

A Nova Scotian Perspective on 

FSL Teacher Recruitment 

BY REBECCA LANCASTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CPF NOVA SCOTIA 


CPF BRANCHES FSL TEACHER RECRUITMENT 

CPF EVENTS 

Imagine you are a young university 

student in your second or third year 

of a degree, when it hits you; “Is this 

really what I want to do for the rest of my 

life?” Take Your Career Further promotes 

the option of becoming a French teacher 

to university students. 

How realistic is it to see teaching 

French as a potential career path? Across 

Canada school boards are working hard to 

keep up with the demand for expanded 

French immersion programs and the 

teachers to staff them. The demand for 

French teachers also includes the need 

for core French teachers and at French 

first language schools. 

French language teacher supply 

and demand was a key area identified 

in the “Raise the Bar” report released in 

January 2018 by the NS Education and 

Early Childhood Development. Although 

recruiting qualified French teachers 

from overseas is possible, it can take 

time and effort to attract those recruits. 

Take Your Career Further targets youth 

already studying in Canadian universities. 

Take Your Career Further aims to bridge 

the growing gap in French teacher 

demand in Nova Scotia by recruiting 

locally. Research i has shown that the 

employment choice of a new certified 

teacher is influenced by where they are 

living presently and where they have 

completed their practicum experience. 

In a study ii done by the Federal 

Reserve Bank of New York, it found that 

only 27% of university graduates work in 

a field related to their major. Traditionally 

French teacher recruitment has focused 

on those students who have a degree in 

French with a background in the arts and 

humanities. Take Your Career Further 

is reaching out to students in key areas 

needed in French immersion such as 

STEM (science, technology, engineering 

and math) and Arts programs (modern 

languages, economics, sociology, cultural 

studies, politics, psychology). 

Take Your Career Further targets 

young people to consider enhancing 

their present career path by becoming a 

French teacher in their field of expertise. 

CPF Nova Scotia worked with the Ginger 

Agency based in Fredericton, NB to 

develop the branding and messaging 

for the project. 

The focus group research found that 

one of the key factors in choosing a B.Ed 

program was a passion either for a field 

of study or were influenced by a teacher 

who was passionate about teaching. A 

survey by Best Colleges iii on why college 

grads would change their majors found 

that “I want to pursue my passion” was 

the top reason for a graduate to change 

their major. “I want better /more job 

opportunities” came in second place. 

Another key factor identified by the 

focus group was the desire to support 

and strengthen the French language 

and culture in the Atlantic region. 

Nova Scotia is a province steeped in 

Acadian culture going back to the 

1600’s. With over 90,000 French 

speakers in our province, we also 

have other communities representing 

La Francophonie: Quebecois, Lebanese, 

French speaking Africans, Europeans, 

Caribbeans and many Francophiles. 

With the closing of university 

campuses due to the pandemic, 

Take Your Career Further was unable 

to schedule presentations to students. 

i Meeting Labour Needs for French as a Second Language instruction in Ontario; David Jacks, 

Canadian Parents for French, the State of French Second Language Education in Canada report, 2018. 

ii Agglomeration and Job Matching among College Graduates; Abel, Jaison R and Deitz, Richard, Federal 

Reserve Bank of New York, December 2014. 

www.newyorkfed.org/medialibrary/media/research/staff_reports/sr587.pdf 

iii New Survey Finds Most College Grads Would Change Majors; Johnson, Reece; Best Colleges, 

February 27, 2020. www.bestcolleges.com/blog/college-graduate-major-survey. 

Thank you to the French immersion teachers from Ridgecliff Middle School for trying out our new 

Take Your Career Further tuques! Tanya, Shanon, Meghan, Matthew and David model this hat so 

well, don't you think? #TeachinFrench #TakeYourCareerFurtherATL #OneStepFurtherATL 

Take Your Career Further has been made possible by the Government of Canada 

with funding from Teacher Recruitment and Retention. 

Instead, our Project Coordinator, Marina 

Turbide focused on building a solid social 

media campaign by creating a LinkedIn 

page, and posting frequently on Twitter, 

Facebook and Instagram. Marina is 

a marketing student at Saint Mary’s 

University and has worked on the 

project for almost a full year. 

Take Your Career Further has 

reached out to the B.Ed faculties to 

distribute promotional items developed 

with students in mind. Our future plans 

for Take Your Career Further are now 

dependent upon the universities opening 

in the fall. Presently CPF Nova Scotia 

is developing short videos for use in 

the classroom and on social media. In 

the next ten months, Take Your Career 

Further will create virtual events with 

our partners and promote resources on 

teaching as a career path. 

Take Your Career Further will be 

recruiting Brand Ambassadors for each of 

the four universities in the province with 

B.Ed programs: Université Sainte-Anne, 

Saint Francis Xavier University, Acadia 

University and Mount Saint Vincent 

University. Our Brand Ambassadors will 

host events and promote Take Your 

Career Further on campus. 

In 2022, Take Your Career Further 

will be expanded and adapted for use 

at the junior and high school level. Take 

Your Career Further will be promoted 

at our Salon d’exploration d’emplois 

bilingues/Bilingual Career Exploration 

Day, an event that over 7,000 Nova 

Scotian students have participated in 

since 2006. 

www.teachinfrench.ca 

www.takeyourcareerfurther.ca 

Take Your Career Further 

as a French Teacher in 

Nova Scotia 

@TakeUFurther 

takeyourcareerfurther 

@TakeYourCareerFurther 



The Gift of 

Expressing Myself 

in Both Languages 

BY JILL BARBER SINGER-SONGWRITER 

This article was first published on March 1, 2021 in the Language Portal of Canada’s Our Languages blog. A Translation 

Bureau initiative, the Language Portal provides Canadians with a wide range of resources to help them communicate 

more effectively in English and French, and publishes weekly articles by language lovers on the Our Languages blog. 

https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/blogue-blog/deux-langues-un-cadeau-both-languages-a-gift-eng 

I 

was born in Port Credit, Ontario, and travelled all over the 

country before settling in Vancouver and starting a family 

there. I’ve recorded some 10 albums, including 2 in French. 

I’m so pleased to be able to communicate with my Francophone 

audience, even though it requires some linguistic gymnastics! 

My musical influences 

I started my career approximately 20 years ago and was 

inspired by various musical genres, such as folk, jazz and the 

more retro style of the 60s. When thinking about my influences, 

Acadia’s lively, vibrant music culture also comes to mind. Even 

though I’m Anglophone, I’ve loved listening to artists like Édith 

Piaf, Charles Aznavour and Françoise Hardy. And when listening 

to my songs, you can immediately feel the connection and my 

love of the French language. But it wasn’t always that way! 

When I was young, my parents wanted to give me this gift— 

yes, I truly believe that learning a second language is a gift! 

Unfortunately, I didn’t take the opportunity to learn French, 

and I dropped out of French immersion in Grade 6. I wanted to 

read, write and express myself in English. However, years later, 

the tide turned. 

The standing ovation that 

changed everything 

The 2009 Montréal Jazz Festival was a major turning point for 

me. I wanted to communicate with my audience. Since I’m 

a woman who likes to take risks, I decided to translate one 

of my songs and sing it at the Festival. Believe it or not, the 

predominantly Francophone crowd wholeheartedly embraced 

my French interpretation. I never thought that I’d get such a 

powerful standing ovation, and it definitely ignited a spark in 

me. From that moment on, I wanted to continue singing in my 

second language. I signed up for a French immersion course 

in the South of France. Although learning the language was 

difficult, I really enjoyed my experience. The Institut français 

(French institute) had an interesting teaching method that 

included a lot of listening and conversing. My teacher was strict; 

I had to speak French all day, and in the evenings, I listened to 

French music. That’s when I really fell in love with French music, 

to such an extent that I recorded an album of popular French 

songs in 2013. Once again, I had a great response from my 

audience! It motivated me to make another French record in 

2020. But this time, it was full of original compositions, except 

for one: a song written by Leonard Cohen and adapted for 

Françoise Hardy that I really wanted to have the chance to 

sing in French. Producing an album in my second language 

was quite a challenge! 

English and French: 

What’s the difference? 

When people ask me whether there’s a difference between 

singing in English and French, I want to say that the main 

difference is physical. In French, I have a slightly different 

persona. It’s more physical: French isn’t my first language, 

and I feel as though I have to step into my body in another 

way and wear a different hat. The experience is more intense. 

The language is more passionate, and my mouth has to work 

harder. I really have to put my whole body into it, not just my 

PHOTO BY CHRIS BARBER, CC BY 2.0, 

HTTPS://COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG/W/INDEX.PHP?CURID=9097989 


voice. I don’t mean to say that I feel less passionate when I 

sing in English, but I guess I feel more vulnerable in French. 

That vulnerability sometimes comes across as a greater 

sensuality. So, in French, I can express myself on the 

same topic in a completely different way. As a songwriter, 

you get a feeling of freedom from being able to sing in both 

languages. I love singing and writing in French because it’s 

a new way of expressing myself. It’s more playful and more 

poetic. Bilingualism is clearly a value that I hold dear, and 

I hope that I can give that gift to my children. It really moves 

me when they sing “Le monde est beau” (“The world is 

beautiful”) with me. 

As a Canadian Anglophone, I feel a certain responsibility 

to promote bilingualism wherever I go. I’m so proud to be 

part of a bilingual and multicultural country. Over the years, 

I’ve participated in both the Montréal Jazz Festival and the 

Festival d’été francophone de Vancouver (organized by the 

Centre culturel francophone de Vancouver). What’s more, I’ve 

had the honour of being a spokesperson for the Rendez-vous 

de la Francophonie. As you can tell, I take every opportunity 

to celebrate Canadian culture and share my love of French 

with the public. n 

BY CHRIS BARBER, CC BY 2.0, HTTPS://COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG/W/INDEX. 

PHP?CURID=9432108 

EnglishFrench.ca 

@OLP_PLO_Canada 

... in French, I can express 

myself on the same topic in a 

completely different way. As a 

songwriter, you get a feeling 

of freedom from being able 

to sing in both languages. 


CPF RESOURCE 

NETWORK STRATEGIC PLAN 

2020-2025 

Stronger 

Together. 

Impact Numbers 

80,700+ 

young people reached 

23,500+ 

CPF members 

14,000+ 

Parents reached 

1,925+ 

Active CPF Volunteers 

Stronger Together: 

CPF in Action! 

Last year, we published our Strategic Plan for 2020-2025, the plan is a useful tool for 

our organization to communicate the actions to achieve our goals. 

As a Network, the plan allows us to fulfill our mandate and vision while also allowing our 

volunteers and members to become involved with clear objectives. Think of it as our cheat 

sheet to ensure French second language learning opportunities for all Canadians! 



We are pleased to say that going into the second year of the plan we have been able to achieve 

many of our goals, diversified our programs and even reached new audiences. 

Find out about some of the projects and initiatives that are happening across the Network. 

We also encourage you to reach out to your Branch to find out what other activities they have 

planned for the rest of the year, and how you can become involved. 

Youth – Increasing FSL Youth Access and Participation 

CPF French Goodnight Bags 

In February, we delivered “French Goodnight Bags” to over 150 military families in the National Capital 

Region as part of our Bilingual Ottawa initiative. The bags are designed to support English speaking parents 

by developing basic literacy skills to ensure their child's success as well as strengthening the link between 

home and school for parents considering enrolling their children into a French immersion program. 

The bags are available to other Chapters and Branches if they wish to replicate the project in their 

province or territory. 

Concours d’art oratoire: Virtual Edition and 

Concours virtuel #EnsembleÀDistance 

Our traditional youth French public speaking competition was back this year in a virtual format, 

Branches organized the Provincial finals and sent the winners to compete at the National level. 

Given the pandemic, participants could not travel to Ottawa, but they were still able to compete 

to win a scholarship. New this year, participants winning 2nd or 3rd place at the provincial level could also compete at the 

National finals. 

Meanwhile, Concours virtuel #EnsembleÀDistance, was back again after a great success last year. What started as a 

quick response to deliver our youth public speaking competition despite the pandemic last year, has turned into a great 

opportunity for youth to practise French in a casual, more informal way, unlike the traditional Concours. CPF British Columbia 

& Yukon coordinated it again, encouraging young Canadians across the country to submit a video in French, this time about a 

topic of their choice! To watch participants’ videos, visit: concoursvirtuel.ca 

Members, Volunteers, Donors – Building Engagement 

Recognizing our Resilient Volunteers 

As the pandemic hit, our volunteers from coast to coast to coast stepped up and helped us deliver 

our programs on virtual platforms that keep evolving. From the Tutoring Program to the Network 

Conference and many new projects, they have shown resilience. In April to mark National 

Volunteer Week we released a video dedicated to them and and sharing some stories of why 

they liked volunteering for CPF. 

Volunteers were also a key aspect of the Virtual Advocacy Event (more on that under Advocacy), where they were 

recognized with a slideshow highlighting the successes and the projects made possible by them. To watch the video and 

the slideshow, visit the CPF National YouTube Channel. 

Chapter Fundraising 

G • U • I • D • E 

Fundraising is a Key 

Strategy to Our Success 

Chapter Fundraising Guide 

Following a Chapter Survey in 2019 requesting support on fundraising activities, we created the CPF 

Chapter Fundraising Guide, a tool to provide useful information to guide thinking around fundraising 

and to share some creative ways to diversify a Chapter’s fundraising efforts. The guide includes vendor 

information, ideas, resources and much more. 

CPF National plans to connect with Chapters throughout the year to support fundraising campaigns and 

to keep expanding the Fundraising Guide. To download the guide, visit: https://cpf.ca/en/volunteer/ 

benefits-for-cpf-chapters/ 


Advocacy-Oriented 

Research Brief 


Advocacy – Advocating for Universal Access to Programs 

Logging in 

to Learn! 

Se brancher 

pour apprendre! 

Logging in to Learn! Se brancher pour apprendre! 

A new advocacy-oriented research brief will be published in the summer. The report addresses 

the challenges faced by FSL students and their parents when schools closed because of the 

pandemic. To learn more and to read the report, visit 

https://cpf.ca/en/category/advocacy-oriented-research-briefs 

You are invited 

French as a Second Language 

Awareness Virtual Event 

Join us in recognition 

of FSL Education in Canada: 

"Surviving to Thriving During a Pandemic". 

Thursday, May 13, 2021 

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) 

Confirm your attendance online 

by May 6, 2021 

By invitation only. 

Register 

For more information, contact Marcos Salaiza at msalaiza@cpf.ca 

FSL Awareness Virtual Advocacy Event 

In lieu of the traditional Breakfast on Parliament Hill, CPF National organized “From Surviving to Thriving 

During a Pandemic” a virtual advocacy event to engage with Members of Parliament, Senators and other 

stakeholders. The program is available on the CPF National website, including greetings by Parliamentary 

Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, Marie-France Lalonde; a 

celebration of CPF’s resilient volunteers, the launch of the advocacy-oriented research brief and projects 

coming in fall 2021. In addition to the virtual event, several stakeholder meetings were held with CPF 

volunteer leaders and Branch Executive Directors. 

Stay tuned as we continue fulfilling our plans and achieving our goals of creating French 

learning opportunities for young Canadians. Be sure to keep connected by visiting the new 

CPF website (read more on page 8), especially the new calendar of events, where you will 

be able to find out what’s happening across the Network. 


IDÉLLO 

and Canadian Parents 

for French Celebrate 

French as a Second 

Language Teachers 

The new edition of the Prix IDÉLLO 

has officially launched. Each year, 

the award recognizes French as a second 

language teachers who are dedicated 

to their students. It recognizes their 

outstanding work, passion for their 

profession, significant impact on the 

lives of students, and innovation in 

educational activities. 

The award has been created by 

IDÉLLO and its purpose is to show 

students a world where everyone is 

welcome and invite them to make 

it better. With over 13,000 Frenchlanguage 

educational resources 

aligned with the Canadian curriculum 

and focused on employability 

skills, IDÉLLO builds confidence in 

every student to contribute fully to 

tomorrow's society. Its series represent 

the ethnic and linguistic diversities that 

make up the strength and richness of 

Francophone culture. IDÉLLO allows 

all Francophones and Francophiles to 

explore the world through an accessible 

platform and to imagine a bright future. 

The Prix IDÉLLO gives IDÉLLO the 

opportunity to recognize and reward 

forward-thinking professionals in the 

educational sector. It is a reminder 

of its mission to support teachers in 

teaching French and preparing students 

to become the citizens of tomorrow. It is 

also a token of appreciation for the work 

accomplished to bring the Francophonie 

to life in Canada. 

Published in August 2020, a UN 

policy brief indicated that the pandemic 

has created the largest disruption of 

education systems in history, affecting 

nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 

190 countries and all continents. And 

Canada is no exception. Teachers are 


the ones who are dedicated to limit the 

serious consequences of this crisis. Since 

March 2020 and the first school closures, 

teachers all around Canada have once 

again demonstrated their vital role with 

children. School dropouts could have 

been a real threat. We have all seen 

how quickly they have adapted to hybrid 

learning, needing to teach online and in 

class. They have shown their creativity 

in keeping students engaged and have 

maintained their students’ interest in 

learning French. 

IDÉLLO and CPF invite all teachers 

and parents to nominate a French as a 

second language teacher in an Englishlanguage 

school in Canada who deserves 

to be recognized. Teachers working 

in immersion, core and extended 

French programs are all eligible for this 

nomination. Nominations are open until 

June 10th 2021. 

In order to show the diversity of 

the francophonie in Canada, three other 

award categories have been created: 

French Teacher in a French-language 

in Ontario, French Teacher in a Frenchlanguage 

school outside of Ontario and 

Early-Childhood Educator in Ontario. A 

panel of judges made up of education 

professionals will select a winner for 

each category from all entries received. 

The four winners will get $1,000 worth 

of classroom supplies, 1 gift card valued 

at $150, 1 video portrait, and more. 

That’s not all: colleagues or parents who 

submit a winning entry can also receive 

a $50 gift card. 

Teachers are frontline workers. Last 

year, citizens showed them their support 

by clapping pans at their windows. The 

Prix IDÉLLO is just another way to show 

support to teachers in Canada. Multiple 

studies indicate that Canadian teachers 

are stressed and exhausted. However, 

they put their students' well-being and 

learning journey above their concerns. 

The community owes them a lot. Cheer 

up their hearts by nominating them for 

the Prix IDÉLLO 2021. 

They are counting on you! 

EDU-INTER FRENCH SCHOOL 

IN QUEBEC CITY 

Treat yourself or your loved ones to a 100% French immersion 

in Quebec City. French programs for all ages with different activities 

every day. On vous attend à Québec! 

Adult programs 

(16 years and over) 

• Core and Intensive 

programs available 

• Small groups that allow more 

speaking opportunities 

• Multiple French levels are 

available at all times 

Complete your immersion 

program by staying with one 

of our homestay families 

• Practice your French with 

real “Québécois” 

• Learn firsthand about Quebec’s 

rich culture and history 

• Enjoy a private room and a meal 

plan during your whole stay 

Can’t come right now? 

Don’t worry, we have the 

perfect virtual option for you! 

Day and evening sessions 

are available. 

Teen and High School programs 

(10 to 17 years) 

• 10 different French summer 

camp options (multiactivities, 

sports, arts and much more) 

• Residence and homestay 

accommodation are available 

• Students from 43 different 

countries participate every year 

• Semester and academic years 

in French are possible through 

our local high schools 

Learn more 

about Edu-inter! 

learningfrenchinquebec.com 

info@edu-inter.net 


students, 

To 

& parents 

school 

personnel... 

your 

honouring 

during 

resilience 

these 

challenging 

étudiants, 

Aux 

& parents 

personnelles 

d'école... 

votre 

honorant 

persévérance 

cette 

durant 

difficile. 

période 

KEY CPF CONTACTS ACROSS CANADA 

National office 

1104 - 170 Laurier Ave. W., Ottawa, ON K1P 5V5 

T: 613.235.1481 

cpf@cpf.ca cpf.ca 

Quebec office & Nunavut support 

P.O. Box 393 Westmount, Westmount, QC H3Z 2T5 

infoqcnu@cpf.ca qc.cpf.ca 

British Columbia & Yukon 

227-1555 W 7th Ave., Vancouver, BC V6J 1S1 

T: 778.329.9115 TF: 1.800.665.1222 (in BC & Yukon only) 

info@cpf.bc.ca bc-yk.cpf.ca 

Alberta 

211-15120 104 Ave. NW, Edmonton, AB T5P 0R5 

T: 780.433.7311 

cpfab@ab.cpf.ca 

ab.cpf.ca 

Northwest Territories 

PO Box 1538, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P2 

cpf-nwt@northwestel.net nwt.cpf.ca 

Saskatchewan 

303-115 2nd Ave. N., Saskatoon, SK S7K 2B1 

T: 306.244.6151 TF: 1.800.561.6151 (in Saskatchewan only) 

cpfsask@sasktel.net sk.cpf.ca 

Manitoba 

101-475 Provencher Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R2J 4A7 

T: 204.222.6537 TF: 1.877.737.7036 (in Manitoba only) 

cpfmb@cpfmb.com mb.cpf.ca 

Ontario 

103-2055 Dundas St. E., Mississauga, ON L4X 1M2 

T: 905.366.1012 TF: 1.800.667.0594 (in Ontario only) 

info@on.cpf.ca on.cpf.ca 

New Brunswick 

PO Box 4462, Sussex, NB E4E 5L6 

T: 506.434.8052 TF: 1.877.273.2800 (in New Brunswick only) 

cpfnb@cpfnb.net nb.cpf.ca 

Nova Scotia 

8 Flamingo Dr., Halifax, NS B3M 4N8 

T: 902.453.2048 TF: 1.877.273.5233 (in Nova Scotia only) 

cpf@ns.sympatico.ca ns.cpf.ca 

Prince Edward Island 

PO Box 2785, Charlottetown, PE CIA 8C4 

T: 902.368.3703 ed@cpfpei.pe.ca pei.cpf.ca 

Newfoundland & Labrador 

PO Box 8601, Stn A, St. John’s, NL A1B 3P2 

T: 709.579.1776 ed@cpfnl.ca nl.cpf.ca 

TF: 1.877.576.1776 (in Newfoundland & Labrador only) 

times. 


The method that decodes the language. 

read. 

write. 

speak 

understand 

lire. 

écrire. 

parler 

comprendre

CPF Magazine Spring 2021 Issue

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