Our two official languages are at the heart of Canadian identity. They make us unique, unite us, and enrich our culture and economy from coast to coast to coast. Promoting and protecting them starts with education. Supporting minority-language education and second official-language instruction is essential for British Colombians, as it strengthens their linguistic and cultural vitality, promotes bilingualism, and ensures the sustainability of French in British Columbia.
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, reiterated the Government of Canada's commitment to Francophone communities by announcing the signing of the Canada-British Columbia Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second Official-Language Instruction 2024-25 to 2027-28.
This bilateral agreement stems from the Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction between the Government of Canada and the Provinces and Territories - 2024-2025 to 2027-2028.
Under the Canada-British Columbia Agreement, an investment of more than $113 million has been made in British Columbia. This funding will help the province offer quality French as a minority language and French as a second language education, from preschool to the post-secondary level. An investment by the Government of British Columbia is also planned to support the aims of the Agreement.
Bilateral agreements on minority-language education and second-language instruction have been in place with the Government of British Columbia for more than 50 years. They support the province in delivering activities aimed at teaching French in a minority situation and learning a second official language.
