Released: February 29, 2008

Vancouver, BC - Canadian Parents for French – BC & Yukon is celebrating an impressive increase in French immersion enrolment in the Yukon. According to data from the Yukon Department of Education, public school immersion enrolment has reached 540, an increase of 77 students over last year or an increase of 17%.  At the same time, overall enrolment dropped by 22 students from 4985 to 4963. 

"With more and more parents determined that their children be well prepared for an increasingly mobile and globalized economy, convinced of the academic benefits of  second language learning, and cognisant of the importance of knowing both of Canada’s official languages, CPF anticipates that demand will continue to increase",  noted Marcela Navarro, president of Canadian Parents for French - BC & Yukon Branch.

This is the sixth consecutive year of growth in French immersion programs: almost 47 per cent more students are enrolled in the Yukon’s most popular program of choice than in 2002/03.

According to Gilbert Lamarche, French program coordinator with the Department of Education, this success is due to a great team of teachers, administrators, CPF members and the students themselves… the latter are the program’s best advocates.

Canadian Parents for French-BC & Yukon is a non-governmental, parent-led organization promoting French-second-language educational and cultural learning opportunities for youth.  The BC & Yukon branch is by far the largest in Canada with 7,200 members.

For more information, please contact:
Nancy Taylor, Interim Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Toll free: 1-866-257-7970 BC & Yukon; in Greater Victoria: 250-655-5067

Attached: Enrolment Fact Sheet 2000/01 to 2007/08
Source: Yukon Department of Education www.education.gov.yk.ca/psb/enrolmentrept.html

Yukon Department of Education French Immersion Public School Enrolment 2002–2008 (Student Headcount

Released: May 28, 2007

Five senior high-school students each won the grand prize of a $20,000 scholarship at the Canadian Parents for French (CPF) National Concours d’art oratoire 2007, held at the University of Ottawa in Ottawa on Saturday, May 26, 2007. The scholarships were donated by the University of Ottawa.

The event involved 42 senior high school students from across Canada who were eligible to compete as finalists in the national competition. Each finalist delivered the French speech that won them first prize at the school, regional, and/or provincial/territorial levels. There are five language categories at the national level: core French (basic), core extended, early French immersion, late French immersion, and Francophone.

The winners of the core French category are:
1st Place- Marissa Constand, Toronto, ON (York Mills Collegiate Institute)
2nd Place- Hayley Miloff, Chelsea, QC (Philemon Wright High School)
3rd Place- Richard del Rosario, Vancouver, BC (Burnaby South Secondary School)

The winners of the core extended category are:
1st Place- Kyle Gamble, Regina SK (Thom Collegiate)
2nd Place- Shaundel Leamon, Corner Brook, NL (Corner Brook Regional High)
3rd Place- Maneesha Rajora, Halifax, NS (Halifax West High School)

The winners of the early French immersion category are:
1st Place- Hazem Shoblak, Yellowknife, NWT (Sir John Franklin High School)
2nd Place- Sarah MacVicar, Hammonds Plains, NS (Halifax West High School)
3rd Place- Seharish Noor Khan, Pierrefonds, QC (Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School)

The winners of the late French immersion category are:
1st Place- Honzer Chen, Langley, BC (Walnut Grove Secondary School)
2nd Place- Vanessa Doering, Winnipeg, MB (Westwood Collegiate)
3rd Place- Gary Hood, Sydney, NS (Riverview Rural High School)

The winners of the Francophone category are:
1st Place- Alexis Soha, Scarborough, ON (Earl Haig Secondary School)
2nd Place- Danielle Migeon, Victoria, BC (Mount Douglas Secondary School)
3rd Place- Jessica Monnaie, Yellowknife, NWT (Sir John Franklin High School)

In addition to a grand prize of a $20,000 scholarship, each of the finalists who competed but did not win the grand prize was awarded $2,000 entrance scholarships which were also presented during the awards ceremony.
CPF acknowledges and thanks the following organizations for their contributions toward the competition: the Government of Canada’s Department of Canadian Heritage, University of Ottawa, Jos Scott Memorial Fund, Bank of Montreal Mosaik Mastercard, Delta Hotels, Radio Enfant-Ado, and Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface (CUSB) for their contribution of $400 for each of the four CPF-Manitoba finalists eligible to participate in the nationals.
Canadian Parents for French is the national network of volunteers which values French as an integral part of Canada and which is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French-second-language learning opportunities for young Canadians. There are currently more than 25,000 members across Canada.

Information/Renseignements:
Antonia Papadakou, Director of Communications/directrice des communications
Tel : 613-235-1481 ext. 26    Cell.: 819-665-5382  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Released: February 13, 2007

New Westminster: Parents in BC have become a considerable force for change on the French-second-language educational front as membership in the BC and Yukon branch of Canadian Parents for French—one of 11 branches across Canada—jumped by 1,263 to 7,544 in the past four months. With more than twice the number of members of any other province in Canada, and one-third of all members in the country, the provincial, non-profit, parent-led organization serves as a key voice for expanded access to, and enhanced quality of, French-second-language cultural, educational and sporting programs.

“Parents are putting their children in French immersion and alternative French programs in record numbers and they know they have to be vigilant if they want those programs to maintain and exceed the excellent standards that have already been set. By joining CPF, they know they are now part of the single most effective organization in the province working to strengthen French-second-language education for their kids,” states Heather Newman, president of the regional branch.

Through support from CPF over the past 30 years, parents have presented countless briefs to trustees and educators, organized summer camps and film festivals, raised money for research and resources to help teachers and students alike, and worked to ensure that French comes alive for their community and children.

“The evidence of their good work is obvious in the growing, vibrant, and dynamic range of French educational and cultural programs that exist in virtually every community in the region. And in the fact that the rate of enrolment in these programs is topping that of any other province in the country,” Newman says.

CPF – BC & Yukon has 45 chapters in BC and Yukon, each run by parents on a voluntary basis. Together, these parents contributed more than 10,000 hours in volunteer work last year to help ensure their children have a rich assortment of opportunities to learn and have fun in French.

For more information, please contact Rita Parikh, Executive Director,
CPF – BC & Yukon Branch
Phone (250) 595-0138, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE ON FEBRUARY 5, 2007: www.cpf.bc.ca

Attachments:

BC Parents Embrace French in Record Numbers.pdf

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Released: February 5, 2007

New Westminster: Adventurous summer camps, hilarious entertainers, cutting-edge research, exciting cross-Canada exchanges – Canadian Parents for French – BC & Yukon Branch offers it all with our new, bolder, and easy-to navigate website. Visit cpf.bc.ca for the latest information on anything to do with French Second Language educational, cultural and sporting activities in BC and Yukon.

“Our site is increasingly a critical tool—for parents, teachers, the media, and members of the general public—for finding out more about learning French. The site now offers easy access for everyone from parents looking for science and outdoor adventure camps in French for their children, to teachers looking for the best French resources for students, to students wondering how to immerse themselves in French abroad,” explains Heather Newman, president of the board of directors of the provincial branch.

The site also features a comprehensive listing of the latest research available on a range of issues including learning difficulties, French and multiculturalism, and the cognitive benefits of studying French.

“We are also delighted to place a particular emphasis on the enormous range of post-secondary opportunities available to kids coming out of high school,” states Newman. “Students passionate about French can go on to study medicine, law, tourism, education – just about anything in fact! Our site now offers an excellent listing of the exciting and varied college and university programs available in French to immersion students and French lovers across the country.”

CPF is a non-governmental, parent-led organization that has worked for the past 30 years to promote French-language educational and cultural learning opportunities for youth. We are grateful to Industry Canada for its support of this website redevelopment project, and to the BC Ministry of Education.

For more information, please contact Rita Parikh, Executive Director, CPF-BC & Yukon Branch
phone: (250) 595-0138
Visit us at www.cpf.bc.ca

Attachments:

Canadian Parents for French Launches New Website.pdf

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Released: October 30, 2006

OTTAWA– On Saturday, October 21, during Canadian Parents for French (CPF) 30th Annual General Meeting, Anna Maddison – parent and lawyer from British Columbia – was elected to serve a two-year term as president.

“As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first French immersion program in Canada, I recognize that many questions, such as analyzing the future needs of French-second-language learning, still need to be addressed,” said CPF president Ms. Maddison.

“The key messages made in our recent report have come from years of research and consultation with FSL stakeholders. There continues to be a need to advocate for access to and quality FSL education in Canada. We will continue to pursue the recommendations made in our research report The State of French-Second-Language in Canada 2006 on behalf of our members,” added Ms. Maddison.

Ms. Maddison is committed to act on the recommendations made in CPF’s recently published research report The State of French-Second-Language Education in Canada 2006.  In particular the report takes a critical look at the recently signed Agreements on Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction between the federal and provincial/territorial governments that define the ways in which ministries of education, school districts and schools will be accountable for the quality and accessibility of FSL programs and for the use of Official Languages funds.

Ms. Maddison, who lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been an active and engaged member of CPF since the early 1990s. In common with many CPF members, she joined the organization when her children were young students in the public school system. Prior to joining the national board, Ms. Maddison served in key governance roles at the local and regional levels, first as Chair of the CPF – Vancouver Chapter and later as Board President of CPF – BC Yukon.  Ms. Maddison has found that her legal training has helped her to address the complex issues that the national board faces.

Canadian Parents for French is a national network of volunteers which values French as an integral part of Canada and which is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French-second-language learning opportunities for young Canadians. There are currently more than 24,000 members across Canada.

Information/Renseignements:
Antonia Papadakou, Director of Communications/directrice des communications
Tel : 613-235-1481 ext. 26    Cell.: 819-665-5382  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Released: October 18, 2006

New Westminster:  Cracks continue to emerge in BC’s most popular education program of choice, French Immersion, according to a report on the state of French second language education to be released this week by parent-led non-profit organization, Canadian Parents for French-BC.

“We’ve got an enormous demand for French Immersion in this province, and we simply can’t keep up,” stated Sherry Taylor, president of the BC and Yukon Branch of CPF.

The pan-Canadian report highlights the acute shortage of teachers, particularly at the secondary level, the inequitable access to programs especially in rural communities, and the need for newer, more up-to-date resources for students.  The report also points to a new and alarming trend towards declining enrolment in French second language programs, including French immersion, across the country. 

But BC and the Yukon appear to be bucking that trend.

“Our growth in enrolment has been phenomenal, breaking records year after year for six years running. But in many ways, we have become victims of our own success. Everything we see in communities across this region tells us quite clearly that French immersion programs need strengthening,” Taylor added.

“We need school districts to get innovative in their efforts to find and keep teachers. We need guaranteed access to French immersion, particularly in rural areas, where few opportunities exist. We need policies eliminating lotteries and waiting lists so anyone who wants to learn French through immersion can do so,” she stated.  “And we need schools and districts to be transparent about how the federal and provincial money they receive for FSL is being used in the classrooms.”

“Such efforts will go a long way towards creating a solid foundation upon which students in this region can build their bilingual dreams.”

CPF invites the media to learn more about these issues at the official launch of The State of French Second-Language Education report Friday, October 20, 2006 at 8:30 am at the Delta Hotel, 361 Queen Street in Ottawa.

For more information contact:
Rita Parikh, Executive Director, CPF BC & Yukon:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or
Antonia Papadakou, Director of Communications, National CPF Office
Cell.: 819-665-5382  613-225-1481, ext. 26

Released: March 20, 2006

Port Coquitlam – Witness a frenzy of excitement when 200 students from grades two through five gather to compete in Verbathon, French immersion teacher Emmanuel Escueta’s latest effort to transform what has arguably been one of the most challenging and tedious areas of language learning – verb conjugation – into a fun and exciting learning opportunity. The 30-minute competition begins at 9:15 am on Tuesday, March 21st in the gym of Ecole Irvine Elementary, 3862 Wellington St. in Port Coquitlam.

This competition marks another record-breaking year in French immersion enrolment across the province. Indeed, according to Ministry of Education statistics, enrolment topped 38,000 in 2005-2006, representing the sixth consecutive year of record-breaking growth. Enrolment at Irvine has increased by close to 10 per cent in the past four years, a number consistent with the growth in District 43 overall. Significantly, this increase comes at a time when enrolment in schools across the province is declining.

“Parents across the district increasingly recognize the range of cognitive benefits that accrue to children who pursue second-language learning. They’re also aware that in an increasingly mobile and globalized economy, children need to be well-prepared,” states Derek Passaglia, principal of Irvine Elementary School.

“Parents from Chetwynd to Vancouver and Whistler to Victoria recognize the benefits of second language-learning and are demanding that their children have access to French programs. Clearly, school boards are listening,” Rita Parikh, executive director of Canadian Parents for French-BC & Yukon Branch added.

The Verbathon event is sponsored by CPF, a non-governmental organization that has worked for close to 30 years to promote French-language educational and cultural opportunities for youth.

French Immersion Enrolment 2002 - 2005 BC Public Schools

Released: March 17, 2006

Port Coquitlam – More than 200 children from Ecole Irvine Elementary School in Port Coquitlam will be running as fast as they can to help their team win… a French verb conjugations competition (?!).  It’s true -- conjugating verbs has never been such fun!  French immersion teacher Emmanuel Escueta’s exciting verb game will pit class against class in a race against time to see which team will complete its verb conjugations first.

This competition is part of a celebratory event to mark another record-breaking year in French immersion enrolment figures in Irvine Elementary, and in B.C. overall.  With French immersion in BC experiencing its sixth consecutive year of unprecedented growth, parents are clamouring to sign their children up. 

Media are invited to document this high-energy event, and to witness immersion students perform a traditional Filipino dance that they learned in French- talk about multiculturalism in a French milieu!  It all takes place on Tuesday, March 21st from  9:15 – 10:15 am in the gym of Irvine Elementary, 3862 Wellington St. in Port Coquitlam. 

The event is sponsored by Canadian Parents for French-BC & Yukon Branch, a non-governmental organization that has worked for close to 30 years to promote French-language educational and cultural opportunities to youth across the province.

For more information, please contact Rita Parikh, Executive Director, CPF-BC & Yukon Branch, phone: (250) 595-0138.

Released: February 8, 2006

Vancouver BC— BC has once again smashed enrolment records for French immersion with 38,009 students enrolled in early and late programs in public schools across the province. Statistics for the 2005-2006 school year released this week reveal the new record represents the largest increase in French immersion numbers in two decades.

“This is the sixth consistent year of record-breaking growth in enrolment in this unique program of choice in the public system. Parents from Chetwynd to Vancouver recognize the benefits of second language-learning and are demanding that their children have access to French programs. Clearly, school boards are listening,” noted Sharon Taylor, president of Canadian Parents for French – BC & Yukon Branch. Once again, this increase in immersion enrolment is occurring despite a significant decrease in total school enrolment.

Table 1 – Ministry of Education French Immersion Enrolment 2001 - 2005 BC Public Schools

Attachments:

Breaking records in 2005-2006 French Immersion enrolment final.pdf

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Released: November 24, 2005

Victoria – Canadian Parents for French-BC & Yukon Branch is delighted that Quebec and B.C. have signed the Agreement for Cooperation and Exchange on Francophone Affairs.  While the agreement focuses clearly on B.C.’s growing population of Francophones, its impact will be felt strongly by Francophiles across the province, those members of the population who embrace the French language and culture.

B.C.’s Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, John van Dongen, and Quebec’s Minister responsible for Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs and Francophones within Canada signed the comprehensive agreement in a ceremony at the legislature Wednesday.

The agreement spells out intended cooperation between the two provinces in a variety of key areas including education, culture and the arts, by encouraging, for instance, an exchange of teachers and specialists in education, and strengthening cultural exchange programmes for youth. 

“B.C. boasts the highest rate of enrolment in immersion programmes anywhere in the country.  Our 7,000 members and their children are embracing the French language and culture like never before.  This agreement means that some of the challenges that have been brought on by this explosive growth – among them, the need for qualified teachers from pre-school right through to grade 12 – can be addressed,” said Sherry Taylor, CPF-BC & Yukon president.

Taylor also sees deeper collaboration between the Anglophone and Francophone communities in the area of arts and culture as a result of the agreement.  “Right now, we collaborate with our Francophone partners on French film festivals, outdoor recreation camps, theatre tours, literary festivals, and so many more activities.  Strengthening Francophone services and organizations is bound to be good for all of us,” she added. 

Canadian Parents for French-BC & Yukon Branch is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that supports expanding and enhancing access to French-language educational, social and cultural opportunities for British Columbians. 

For more information, please contact Rita Parikh, CPF – BC & Yukon Executive Director, at 250-595-0138, or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ., or (in French) Marie-Chantal Lepage, CPF Board Member at: 604-506-7423.