Summary

• Eight non-profit organizations will receive funding through the Provincial Fund for French Language Services
• Funding helps enhance services and resources for French-speaking residents in British Columbia

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Government is investing $250,000 to support eight non-profit organizations delivering initiatives that reflect the needs and priorities of British Columbia’s francophone communities.

“This year’s recipients reflect the diversity, resilience and vitality of francophone communities across British Columbia,” said Adrian Dix, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. “This funding is supporting community-based projects that will strengthen connections, increase access to services in French and help ensure francophone communities continue to thrive.”

Initiatives receiving financial support:

Salt Spring Island Public Library
Ganges
Funding: $12,860
Funds will be used to acquire a French-language collection of books and other resources for children, youth and adults, improving access to French-language materials for residents of Salt Spring Island.

La Boussole Centre Communautaire francophone
Vancouver and B.C.
Funding: $33,703
Funds will be used to strengthen French-language mental-health first aid and crisis intervention capacity within the francophone community services sector in Vancouver and other parts of the province.

Centre Culturel Francophone de Vancouver
Vancouver
Funding: $7,095
Funding will establish a French-language improv league where adults can practise French, develop performance skills and build community connections through workshops and public events.

Association Femmes Africaines Francophones
Vancouver
Funding: $44,346
Funds will be used to support the economic empowerment and social inclusion of African francophone women and their families across greater Vancouver through financial, employment, entrepreneurship and community-building activities.

Association des Francophones des Kootenays Ouest
Nelson
Funding: $2,800
Funds will be used to expand opportunities for youth and adults in the Nelson and Revelstoke region to learn and practise French through various community activities, such as private tutoring, weekly French conversation clubs, cultural and social activities.

Réseau-Femmes Colombie-Britannique
Vancouver
Funding: $60,504
Funds will be used to provide home-based family learning and parenting support for francophone women, helping improve school readiness for young children, while connecting families to existing community resources and services.

Alliance Francophone et Francophile du Fraser Valley et du Grand Vancouver
Surrey
Funding: $53,215
Funds will be used to help francophone families in Surrey connect with health, safety, child care and community services to improve and promote awareness and access to services.

Alliance Française Canada Pacific Society
Vancouver, Victoria
Funding: $35,477
Funds will be used to strengthen a provincewide network of French-language cultural and community services for residents by expanding Alliance Française’s activities and sharing of resources.

Quick Facts:

• French is one of Canada’s two official languages.
• The latest statistics show that more than 300,000 British Columbians can have a conversation in French.
• At the K-12 level, 47 schools are operated by the Conseil Scolaire Francophone de Colombie-Britannique.
• French immersion programs are also available in 45 school districts.
• A range of post-secondary education opportunities are offered in French at several public post-secondary institutions.

Learn More:

• For more information about the Provincial Fund for French Language Services, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/office-of-the-premier/intergovernmental-relations-secretariat/francophone/provincial-funding-opportunities