Did you know that Canada’s first Official Languages Act was passed by the federal government in 1969, under the leadership of Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau? What does the Official Languages Act mean? One country, two languages…with a choice to be served in either English or French!
Early beginnings
It all began in 1977. Keith Spicer, Canada’s first Commissioner of Official Languages, met with groups of parents across Canada who were lobbying to get their children to learn French as a second language (FSL). Strongly believing in their cause, Mr. Spicer decided to do everything in his power to support them. Especially so since he witnessed the many challenges they faced – including roadblocks at local school boards! As such, he provided some seed money to set up a national conference of like-minded parents in Ottawa.
Parents made it happen! Our story begins with that first conference in Ottawa in 1977. There, CPF was officially founded as a volunteer-based advocacy group. It was led by inaugural national president Pat Webster of Ontario and directors Judith Madley (BC), David Sanders (Prairie Region), Elizabeth Annesley (QC), and Mary Lou Morrison (Atlantic Region).
The original core group of concerned parents who met in Ottawa over 40 years ago has now evolved into a proactive national network with 11 provincial and territorial Branches and some 150 Chapters, led by volunteers in communities from coast to coast to coast!
From the get go, CPF Ontario has been the voice of many parents working tirelessly around kitchen tables, in local coffee shops, and in the boardrooms of government offices to ensure their children have equal access to quality French Second Language programs. Today, CPF Ontario continues to connect with parents across the province, as well as 60 Ontario English school boards and all levels of government.
Our Milestones in Ontario
- 1977: The first Director is established;
- 1978: the first President is elected;
- 1980: CPF membership increases to 285;
- 1985; our Branch office opens;
- 1987: the McGillivray Award is introduced;
- 1991: the Mlacak Award is established;
- 1999: the first Executive Director is hired;
- 1999: our Branch website is finally launched; and
- 2021: there are over 14,000 Ontario members!
