The Future Needs French - Election Toolkit

THE
FUTURE
NEEDS
FRENCH
#Elxn45 Toolkit

Together, oui can build a stronger Canada.
Canadian Parents for French has prepared this Election
Toolkit to reflect our positions on key issues related to
French Second (and Additional) Language (FSL).
Taking action in the upcoming Canadian federal election can
involve advocacy, raising awareness, and engaging with
policymakers and your community. Here’s how:
Share this Toolkit with your network, by sending
the link right now to three like-minded people
Spark conversation by asking door-knockers,
candidates and their teams the questions included in
this Toolkit.
Engage with candidates of all parties in your riding by
asking for a meeting.
Amplify advocacy on social media by joining the
conversation using #StrongerInTwoLanguages
and following CPF on social media.
Vote, in advance, by mail, or on election day, and
encourage others to vote.

01
About Us
Mission
Founded in 1977, Canadian Parents for French
(CPF) is a nationwide, research-informed,
volunteer-driven organization that furthers
bilingualism by promoting opportunities to learn
and use French for all those who call Canada
home.
Vision
A Canada where French– and English–speakers
live together in mutual respect with an
understanding and appreciation of each other’s
language and culture and where linguistic duality
forms an integral part of society.
The Facts on FSL
French Second
Language Programs
Across Canada, 43% (1.7M) of students are enrolled in programs such as French Immersion,
Core French, and Extended French, which are designed to teach the language and foster
bilingualism.
1
However, despite this strong participation, more than 50% of eligible students are not enrolled
in any FSL programs. This gap is often due to factors such as limited availability through lotteries
or waitlists, geographic barriers, lack of support, or personal choice.
Statistics show that 66% of young adults who participated in at least one year of French
Immersion continue to use French in adulthood—both at home and in the workplace. This
demonstrates the enduring benefits of early language learning.
Canadians overwhelmingly support expanding bilingual opportunities. A 2021 survey by the
Commissioner of Official Languages found that 8 out of 10 Canadians agree that more must be
done to ensure young people can become bilingual.
4
3
2

Our Priorities
02
Universal Access to Learn French
Every Canadian should have the choice to learn French. However, many Anglophones
and Allophones currently face inequities in accessing second or additional-language
learning opportunities, leaving them excluded from the economic and cultural
advantages of speaking French. By making FSL programs universally accessible, we
can empower Canadians with skills to engage in global markets, foster career growth,
and build bridges across linguistic communities.
Did You Know?
Although education is primarily a provincial/territorial responsibility, the
Government of Canada plays a key role in supporting education by providing
financial assistance for French programs through the Protocol for Agreements
on Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction, renewed
about every five years to ensure continued progress.
Our Asks:
Expand access to French-English bilingual early learning opportunities so that all
children who call Canada home can benefit from an early start to French-language
education.
Increase investments in FSL programs that are proportional to the number of
students enrolled, ensuring resources match demand and that funding directly
supports classroom-level instruction, not just administrative costs.
Create ambitious provincial and territorial FSL targets to increase enrolment, ensure
quality, and improve access for all.
Regularly collect accurate data from provinces, territories, and postsecondary
institutions on teacher qualifications, supply, deployment, and retention in FSL programs
to drive continuous improvements.
Use #StrongerInTwoLanguages on social media to support these priorities!

Advancing French for a Stronger Canada
03
English-French bilingualism is both a defining cultural principle and a valuable skill in
Canada, yet this bilingualism rate among Anglophones and Allophones has long
stagnated, leaving many disconnected from Canada’s official languages. Revitalizing
bilingualism means fostering a shared identity where all Canadians, regardless of their
background, feel represented within both of Canada’s official languages. By equipping
more Canadians to speak and engage in French, we build a more cohesive, unified
nation that celebrates its diversity while enhancing economic competitiveness,
empowering a bilingual workforce, and preserving Canada’s cultural independence.
Our Commitment to Languages
At CPF, we celebrate the linguistic and cultural diversity of Canada, including the rich
tapestry of Indigenous and heritage languages that are spoken on these lands. We
acknowledge the lasting impact of colonization, including the complex role that colonial
languages have played, and the importance of addressing this legacy as non-Indigenous
Canadians engage with the evolving landscape of language education. While our mission
focuses on learning French to be bilingual in Canada’s official languages, we know that all
languages serve as bridges to connect communities, foster understanding, and share the
unique stories of the peoples who call Canada home.
Our Asks:
Expand opportunities for Canadians to cross through communities through cultural
and linguistic events, experiences, and exchanges across the country.
Increase access to postsecondary opportunities in French through Francophone and
bilingual institutions across the country, ensuring a pipeline of skilled bilingual professionals.
Develop targeted campaigns that raise awareness about the economic, social, and
cultural advantages of bilingualism to foster a stronger sense of shared identity among all
Canadians.
Foster a national culture of bilingualism by promoting Canadian media, arts, and cultural
initiatives that highlight the benefits of both official languages to all Canadians.
Ensure that Canadians from linguistic majority communities are actively engaged in
consultations and meaningfully represented in the development and implementation of
Official Languages policies.
Use #StrongerInTwoLanguages on social media to support these priorities!

Questions for
Candidates
04
When a candidate knocks on your door during the campaign, take a moment to ask how they plan to
support French Second Language programs if elected as a Member of Parliament. Looking for
inspiration?
With the current state of Canada-U.S. relations, our country is
increasingly seeking to boldly assert the elements that define our
national identity and sovereignty. What will you do to reaffirm
that our official languages are integral to what makes
Canada and Canadians unique?
For years, there has been a growing interest in learning French as
a second or additional language. However, there aren’t enough
spaces in French-immersion programs. What measures would
you implement to ensure that everyone who wishes to learn
their second official language has the opportunity to do so?
Canada’s French-English bilingualism rate has stagnated,
particularly among Anglophones. What would you do to
increase awareness of the economic, cultural, and social
benefits of bilingualism and encourage more Canadians to
learn both official languages?
Bilingualism is a key skill for Canada’s workforce and economy,
but many Canadians struggle to access the resources needed to
learn both official languages. How would you invest in
initiatives to build a stronger French-English bilingual
workforce?

References
05
1. Canadian Parents for French. 2025. CPF 2022-2023 Enrolment Statistics.
2. Ibid.
3. Government of Canada. 2023. Annual Report on Official Languages 2022–2023. Canadian Heritage.
4. Government of Canada. 2021. Official Languages Tracking Survey 2021 - Final Report. Public Opinion Research.
Contact Us
613-235-1481
Phone
cpf@cpf.ca
Email
cpf.ca
Website
1104-170 Laurier Ave. W
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5V5