British Columbia
Features
According to the 2021 census, British Columbia (B.C.) is home to 326,865 bilingual individuals and more than 57,420 people who have French as a first language. The province is home to the fourth‑largest Francophone community in Canada. There are many Francophones in the Greater Vancouver Area and in the capital, Victoria. However, Francophone communities have also been established in the Okanagan Valley, on Vancouver Island, and in northern and northwestern parts of the province.
Organization representing the Francophone population
Traditionally, Francophone communities were connected to one another through the fur trade, lumber industry and parishes. Later, they created new structures to share common interests. In the early 1940s, Francophones in B.C. decided to reach out to the governments of Canada, British Columbia and Quebec to gain recognition for their contributions to building their province. The Club canadien-français de la Colombie-Britannique suggested establishing an association of the province’s Francophone circles, and in 1945, the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique (FFCB) was formed. Today, it is actively involved in immigration and working to improve relationships and services in French at the provincial and municipal levels.
Immigration
British Columbia’s Francophone Immigration Program is an FFCB initiative. For the past 10 years, the organization has worked to promote the province as a destination of choice for Francophone immigrants and establish the community as a welcoming environment, favourable to the settlement of individuals who decide to move there. The immigration program team helps newcomers looking for settlement support and assistance in B.C., as well as community members and partners who wish to get involved.
Tourism
Canada’s westernmost offers a magnificent array of contrasting landscapes descending from the Rocky Mountains to its spectacular Pacific Ocean islands. From its majestic glaciers, temperate and boreal rainforests, countless lakes and rivers, to its many ranches, vineyards and orchards, B.C. delivers priceless enjoyment to nature lovers.
For more details, visit Salut Canada.
Education
The Conseil scolaire francophone (CSF) is the fastest‑growing Francophone school board in the province. With over 900 employees, the CSF is one of the largest Francophone employers in Western Canada.
French immersion classes are offered in many of the province’s English-language schools. Parents and teachers can also use the services of immersion organizations such as the Canadian Association of Immersion Professionals and Canadian Parents for French – British Columbia & Yukon.
Simon Fraser University is the only university in B.C. that offers both French and bilingual post-secondary programs.