A Strategic Partnership to Strengthen French-Language Education and Linguistic Duality in Western Canada

On Tuesday, September 29, the University of Alberta’s Campus Saint-Jean and Canadian Parents for French (CPF) Alberta & NWT signed a historic five-year framework partnership agreement. This partnership reaffirms the two institutions’ shared commitment to joining forces to promote bilingualism, support the continuum of French language learning—from kindergarten through university—and enrich the vitality of Francophone communities in Alberta and the Canadian Northwest.

Through this alliance—based on collaboration, mutual respect, and the sharing of resources—CPF and Campus Saint-Jean aim to create new synergies to address growing needs in the area of linguistic duality and to promote career and lifestyle opportunities in French for second-language learners.

The agreement is structured around four key areas of strategic action:

1. Visibility and mutual promotion: Joint promotion of immersion and French as a Second Language (FSL) programs, scholarships, sociocultural activities, and jointly developed initiatives across all of their digital platforms and social media channels.
2. Youth events and programs: Participation and collaboration at recruitment fairs, conferences on bilingualism, and within flagship youth programs such as “camping en français” and ImmersART.
3. Joint advocacy: Joint mobilization and actions with government and school authorities to defend access to quality French-language education and ensure sustainable funding for FSL programs.
4. Research and data: Conducting joint studies on the pathways of immersion program graduates continuing their studies in immersion postsecondary programs, on the challenges faced by second-language graduates, and on the impact of parental involvement on French language learning.

Under this agreement, CPF Alberta will contribute its on-the-ground expertise in advocacy, parent engagement, and promoting Campus Saint-Jean’s programs to prospective students. For its part, Campus Saint-Jean will provide its academic expertise, event and training organization capabilities, and applied research.

Quotes:

“Building strong bridges between high school and university is essential to fulfilling the promise of linguistic duality in Canada. This historic partnership with Canadian Parents for French reflects our shared ambition: to promote French as a language of excellence, success, and the future for all students in Alberta and the Far North.” ” Jason Carey, Dean and CEO of Campus Saint-Jean.

“For years, Campus Saint-Jean has offered students in the French immersion program a valuable pathway to continue their studies in French beyond high school. We are delighted with this partnership and proud to continue supporting post-secondary education in French in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.” Sarah Clark, President, CPF AB & NWT.