Ottawa, March 24, 2020 — CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH is releasing the updated edition of the “French as a Second Language Enrolment Statistics” for the 2017–2018 school year.  The document compiles data collected directly from ministries of education from across the country. The information presents the enrolment figures by province/territory and by type of FSL program, and provides a quick analysis of national trends in FSL enrolment.

CPF publishes the compiled statistics every year but does not publish same-year statistics, as larger ministries are unable to finalize data in time for publication at the same time as smaller ones.

Key findings of the 2017–2018 FSL Enrolment Statistics include:

  • Overall student enrolment in FSL programs across Canada is stagnant this year. Whereas, solid growth is being shown in Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and in New Brunswick.
  • Still today, despite parental interest and demand, only the four Atlantic provinces and Ontario have over 50% of eligible students enrolled in FSL programs.
  • Numbers of students enrolled in Core French continue to diminish across the country.

“Canadian Parents for French believes all students should have the opportunity to learn and access FSL programs that meet their needs and aspirations. The numbers are a good indicator of the maintained interest of Canadians in learning French across the country. But we acknowledge that there are still strides to be made in bridging the gap between demand and availability. We sincerely hope that efforts being made as part of the national FSL Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy will enable school jurisdictions to enhance their program offerings to ensure that every child in Canada has equitable access to the quality, effective French as a second language program of their choice in order that they may participate fully in Canada’s economic and social development.” said Nicole Thibault, Executive Director, CPF National.

To download the French as a Second Language Enrolment Statistics, 2017–2018 edition, you can visit our website.

Canadian Parents for French is a nationwide, research-informed, volunteer organization that represents 25,000 members across Canada and champions the opportunity to learn and use French for all those who call Canada home.

For more information, please contact:

Marcos Salaiza, National Coordinator, Project Communications and Government Relations

Tel: 613.235.1481 x222 Email: msalaiza@cpf.ca