Canadian Parents for French

Canadian Parents for French (CPF) 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. The organization has volunteer-operated chapters in communities across Canada. A small professional staff located in provincial or territorial branch offices and in the national office in Ottawa provides support to volunteers, members, educators, partner organizations, and the public at large by collecting and disseminating information about French second-language Education; it also assists volunteer board members in the planning and delivery of extracurricular programs designed to enhance the French second-language learning of young people.

CPF was established following a March 1977 parents' conference on French language and exchange opportunities, organized by Canada's first Commissioner of Official Languages, Keith Spicer. Dr. William Chermenkoff and Mrs. Vivianne Fior from Saskatoon were the Saskatchewan representatives present at the founding meeting. In October 1977 Marcel de la Gorgendière, a Saskatoon lawyer, was elected as the first director from Saskatchewan to the national organization. One of the first chapters in the country was established in Regina in 1978 under the leadership of Jos Craven Scott - who shortly thereafter moved to Ottawa, where she served as the organization's National Executive Director for many years. The Saskatchewan Branch of CPF, which was incorporated in 1980, provides services to the entire province from its office in Saskatoon.

Karen Taylor-Browne