History
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. Saskatoon lawyer, Marcel de la Gorgendière,
was elected as the first Director from Saskatchewan to the National
organization in October 1977. 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.
CPF
is now 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
and by assisting volunteer board members in the planning and delivery
of extracurricular programs designed to enhance the French-second-language learning of young people.
