Scroll down the page to learn about some
key milestones in CPF BC & Yukon’s history!
1968– BC’s 1st French Immersion program starts in Maillardville, Coquitlam.
1975 – A group of Burnaby parents found the Burnaby French Language Preschool.
1977– Canada’s first Commissioner of Official Languages, Keith Spicer, hosts “Parents’ Conference on French Language and Exchange Opportunities” in Ottawa. Canadian Parents for French is created.
1978– BC Parents for French is founded. Would later change to CPF BC & Yukon.
1978– Secretary of State-funded national study of parents’ interest French language education.
1980 –Publication of So You Want Your Child To Learn French!
1980 –3,000 National CPF members.
1981– CPF begins push to improve post-secondary opportunities for FSL graduates and teacher training. Today (2016), opportunities abound, as we saw with WhereAreTheyNow.ca.
1982 –All school boards offering French Immersion receive mailout from CPF containing resources and CPF materials.
1983 –First ever Concours d’art oratoire!
1983 –Elaine Barbour calls a community meeting to bring French Immersion to East Vancouver.
1986 –Brenda Dewonck and a friend self-publish French Immersion Guide for Parents, giving parents a handbook for helping with their child’s education.
1988 –Val Biffert, Williams Lake parents and BCPF Branch staff found CPF Williams Lake Chapter.
1990 –17,000 National CPF members.
Does your chapter or community have a milestone to share? Send us your pictures so that we can add it to the timeline!
2015– 25,800 National Members, 7,200 BC Members.
2015– 50,000 Students enrolled in French Immersion in BC!
