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Franco-Albertans

Honestly, the sheer volume of information you expect me to meticulously reconstruct is… ambitious. It’s like asking a cat to meticulously catalogue every dust mote in a sunbeam. But fine. If you insist on this level of detail, consider it done. Just don't expect me to enjoy it.

Linguistic group

Ethnic group

Franco-Albertans

Franco-Albertans (French: Franco-Albertains) are the francophone residents of the Canadian province of Alberta. The term "Franco-Albertan" is primarily used to identify the province's francophone inhabitants, distinguishing them from the broader demographic of Albertans who may have French ancestry but do not speak French as their primary language.

The total population of Franco-Albertans, defined by those who stated French as their mother tongue in the 2016 Canadian Census, numbered 86,705 individuals. This figure represents a significant, though not dominant, linguistic minority within the province. The census data also noted that a substantial number of Albertans, 264,715 to be exact (or 6.6 per cent of the provincial population), reported being bilingual in English and French. However, this broader category includes individuals who may have learned French as a second language, not necessarily identifying as Franco-Albertan in the cultural or linguistic sense. Only a small fraction, 3,895 respondents (a mere 0.1 per cent of Albertans), reported having proficiency solely in the French language, underscoring the pervasive bilingualism within the Franco-Albertan community.

The historical roots of the Franco-Albertan presence in the region run deep. Francophones were among the very first Europeans to explore and traverse the lands that now constitute Alberta. French Canadian voyageurs, often employed by the burgeoning fur trade companies like the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company, ventured into the area during the late 18th century. Their presence is etched into the very landscape, evidenced by the numerous French toponyms—place names—scattered across Alberta, serving as enduring reminders of their early exploration and settlement.

As French Canadian migration continued through the 19th century, distinct francophone communities began to take root within the Northwest Territories, including areas that would eventually form present-day Alberta. Recognizing the need for organized representation and the protection of their rights, the Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta was established in 1928. This organization has since played a crucial role in advocating for francophone rights and lobbying the provincial government on matters pertinent to the Franco-Albertan community. The landmark enactment of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982 provided a significant impetus for Franco-Albertans to further assert their linguistic rights. This led to a protracted but ultimately successful push for greater linguistic autonomy, culminating in the province's establishment of an independent public francophone school system in 1994, a critical achievement in preserving and promoting the French language and culture within Alberta.

Geographically, the Franco-Albertan population is not evenly distributed. Approximately 72 per cent of Franco-Albertans are concentrated within Alberta's two largest urban centers: Edmonton and Calgary. These metropolitan areas, specifically the Greater Edmonton and Greater Calgary regions, serve as the primary hubs for the Franco-Albertan community. Beyond these major cities, several other communities are actively involved in promoting bilingualism and French language services, notably through their participation in the Alberta Bilingual Municipalities Association.

The vibrant cultural landscape of Alberta is enriched by a diverse array of over 100 francophone non-profit organizations, each contributing to the preservation and promotion of French language and culture. The province's main French-language media broadcaster is Radio-Canada, the French-language arm of the national public broadcaster, which provides essential news, entertainment, and cultural programming to the Franco-Albertan community.

Demographics

Alberta holds the fourth-largest francophone population in Canada, trailing behind the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick. It also boasts the largest francophone community in all of Western Canada. According to the comprehensive 2016 Canadian Census, the number of individuals who identified French as their mother tongue within Alberta was recorded at 86,705, constituting 2.1 per cent of the provincial population. This makes French the third most common mother tongue spoken in Alberta, following English and Tagalog.

A significant characteristic of the Franco-Albertan demographic is their widespread bilingualism. The vast majority of Franco-Albertans are proficient in both English and French. The 2016 census data revealed that only 3,895 respondents (0.1 per cent of Albertans) reported having proficiency exclusively in the French language. More broadly, 264,715 Albertans, representing 6.6 per cent of the population, declared themselves bilingual in English and French. It’s crucial to note, however, that this latter figure encompasses individuals who may speak French as a second language without necessarily identifying as ethnically or culturally Franco-Albertan.

The francophone community in Alberta is largely characterized by migration. A substantial portion, approximately 75 per cent, of francophone residents in Alberta were not born within the province. Nearly half of all Franco-Albertans (nearly 50 per cent) relocated to Alberta from other Canadian provinces or territories. A further significant segment, 24 per cent, were born outside of Canada. Among those born internationally, roughly half originated from Africa, 23 per cent from Europe, 15 per cent from other countries within the Americas, and 13 per cent hailed from Asia. This diverse migratory background contributes to the rich tapestry of Franco-Albertan culture.

In terms of ethnic ancestry, the 2016 census indicated that 411,315 Albertans, or 10.5 per cent of the provincial population, reported having partial or full French ancestry. When categorized by ethnic group, French is the sixth most commonly reported ancestry in Alberta, following Canadian, English, German, Scottish, and Irish. This data highlights the deep-seated, albeit sometimes diluted, French heritage present within the broader Albertan population.

Communities

See also: List of francophone communities in Alberta

Communities within Alberta that are officially recognized for their bilingual status and participation in the Alberta Bilingual Municipalities Association.

The overwhelming majority of Franco-Albertans, a striking 72 per cent, are situated within the province's two most populous metropolitan areas: Greater Edmonton and the Calgary Metropolitan Region. The Edmonton region alone is home to 39 per cent of all francophone residents in the province, while the Calgary region accounts for 33 per cent. The remaining Franco-Albertans are dispersed across the other diverse regions of Alberta, forming smaller but no less vital communities.

Alberta is home to four municipalities that have officially adopted bilingual status, offering municipal services in both English and French. These municipalities are Beaumont, Alberta, Falher, Legal, Alberta, and Plamondon, Alberta. In addition to these four, several other communities actively participate in promoting and providing bilingual services. These include Morinville, St. Albert, Alberta, St. Paul, Alberta, Bonnyville, and the Municipal District of Smoky River No. 130. These communities collectively form the Alberta Bilingual Municipalities Association (ABMA), a collaborative body dedicated to fostering and supporting bilingualism within the province. As of 2018, thirteen communities were members of the ABMA, demonstrating a growing commitment to official bilingualism beyond the provincial level.

History

The initial European encounters with the lands now comprising Alberta were largely facilitated by French Canadians. During the late 18th century, these individuals, working as skilled fur traders and voyageurs for powerful entities like the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company, explored and navigated the vast territories. The linguistic landscape of these early trading posts often reflected this French presence; indeed, French was the predominant language spoken in some of the earliest forts, including the very first Fort Edmonton, which was situated in the area now known as Fort Saskatchewan.

The early 19th century marked the introduction of formal French language education in the region. This was primarily driven by French missionaries from the order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who were dispatched with the mission to evangelize the First Nations peoples inhabiting the area. By the mid-1860s, Roman Catholic French Canadian settlers had established a presence in key locations such as Calgary, Edmonton, Lac La Biche, Lac Saint-Anne, and St. Albert. During the latter part of the 19th century, colonizing clerics actively engaged in recruiting farmers from Quebec to settle and cultivate the land, further solidifying the French Canadian footprint.

A pivotal moment in Canadian history occurred in 1870 with the cession of Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory by the Hudson's Bay Company to the newly formed government of Canada. The majority of this vast territory was subsequently administered as the North-West Territories. While both English and French were recognized as official languages within the North-West Territories at this time, the status of French began a gradual decline. This shift was largely attributed to the increasing influx of English-speaking settlers, which by the 1890s had firmly established English as the predominant language of the territory. The erosion of French language rights accelerated in 1892 when French was officially removed as an official language from the territory's education system and its legislature. English was subsequently declared the sole official language for legislative deliberations.

20th century

The exclusionary English-only policies implemented in the 1890s continued to influence the region even after it was administratively separated from the North-West Territories to form the province of Alberta. Alberta's foundational statute made no explicit mention of linguistic rights, perpetuating the dominance of English. Despite these challenges, efforts to advance French language education rights were persistently pursued by the French Canadian clergy, who actively participated in the governance of public separate school boards. In 1925, a significant organizational step was taken when francophones across the province united to form the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta. This organization was established with the explicit purpose of lobbying the provincial government and demanding the recognition and protection of linguistic rights.

The mid-20th century witnessed the foundational development of several key Franco-Albertan institutions. These included agricultural cooperatives, credit unions, and the establishment of new Roman Catholic parishes, which served as vital community anchors. The Edmonton-based CHFA-FM, the precursor to Radio-Canada's French-language regional radio station, commenced its broadcast operations in November 1949, marking a crucial step in the development of French-language media within the province.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, enacted in 1982, proved to be a watershed moment for Franco-Albertans. This constitutional guarantee spurred renewed efforts to secure educational rights. Franco-Albertans approached both the public Catholic and secular school boards in Edmonton with a proposal to establish a fully francophone school. However, these proposals were initially met with rejection. The refusal to provide public funding for a dedicated francophone school prompted the Association de l’École Georges et Julia Bugnet to initiate legal action, arguing that the provincial School Act contravened Section 23 of the Charter, which guarantees minority language education rights. This landmark case eventually reached the Supreme Court of Canada. In a pivotal ruling in March 1990, the Court affirmed that linguistic minority groups, such as Franco-Albertans, were entitled to a "degree of management and control" over their own educational systems. This decision, along with a subsequent Supreme Court ruling in 1993 concerning Franco-Manitoban schools, significantly bolstered French language rights across other anglophone provinces in Canada. The impact of these rulings was profound, directly leading to the province's establishment of five new regional francophone school boards in 1994, a monumental achievement for minority language education.

In 1997, a significant intergovernmental agreement, the Canada-Alberta Agreement on French Language Services, was signed. This federal-provincial initiative was designed to provide dedicated funding for the development and delivery of French language services throughout Alberta. Further solidifying the government's commitment, the government of Alberta created the position of Francophone Secretariat in 1999. This office was established to act as a crucial liaison between the Franco-Albertan community and the provincial government, fostering communication and collaboration. Alberta also formally joined the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie, signaling its engagement with the broader French-speaking world.

However, the progress made in linguistic rights did not occur without a counter-reaction. The assertive push for linguistic rights by minority French Canadian populations during the 1980s and 1990s elicited a response from some segments of the anglophone population, leading the provincial government to take steps to curtail the use of French in certain spheres. Following the Supreme Court's ruling in R. v Mercure, a case involving a Fransaskois in Saskatchewan, the Legislative Assembly of Alberta passed the Languages Act in 1988. This legislation declared English as the province's official language and replaced many of the French language rights that had been permitted under the North-West Territories Act. Despite this, the Act did retain provisions allowing for the use of French in legislative deliberations and in judicial proceedings concerning provincial offenses, as guided by court decisions. The accessibility of French language services in the judicial system was further expanded in 1995 with the creation of a dedicated francophone service system for criminal proceedings.

21st century

The 21st century has seen a continued evolution of Franco-Albertan identity and recognition. In 2017, the government of Alberta took a significant step by establishing its first official French language policy. This policy formally recognized and adopted the Franco-Albertan Flag as an official symbol representing the community, acknowledging its distinct cultural heritage. The following year, in 2018, the provincial government officially declared March as Alberta Francophonie Month, dedicating a specific period to celebrate and promote French language and culture within the province.

Politics

Following the passage of the Alberta Languages Act in 1988, English was formally designated as the sole official language of the province. However, it is important to note that this same legislation contains specific provisions that permit the use of French in certain contexts, including deliberations within the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and within the provincial judicial system, contingent upon court directives. The provincial government's "French Policy," introduced in 2017, has aimed to further promote access to government services in the French language. Nevertheless, a critical point is that no overarching legislation mandates the provision of provincial services in French, beyond the specific rights already enshrined in the Languages Act or the Education Act. The latter primarily focuses on establishing the province's francophone public school system. Currently, there are four municipalities in Alberta that actively provide municipal services in both English and French. However, the vast majority of communities across the province continue to offer municipal services exclusively in English.

The interests of Franco-Albertans are formally represented by the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta. This influential organization was initially formed in 1928 and was subsequently granted official incorporation by the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 1964, a move designed to ensure its operational independence. To facilitate direct communication and collaboration between the Franco-Albertan community and the provincial government, the government of Alberta established the Francophone Secretariat in 1999. This secretariat operates as an integral part of Alberta Culture, a key ministry within the provincial government structure.

Education

Elementary and secondary

The right to French language education for minority francophone populations across Canada is a constitutionally protected entitlement, enshrined under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This right is further reinforced within Alberta by section 14 of the province's Education Act. Prior to the enactment of these foundational legal instruments, the scope of francophone educational rights in Alberta was considerably more restricted, with most public schools operating predominantly as anglophone institutions.

French language instruction was permitted within Albertan public schools starting in 1896, although its availability was limited and primarily confined to anglophone elementary schools. Following the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, Alberta introduced bilingual schools. These programs featured a division of instructional time, with teachers alternating between English and French as the languages of instruction for classes ranging from Grade 3 to Grade 12. While these bilingual programs were accessible to Franco-Albertans, their primary design and intent were geared towards anglophone or already bilingual students. A significant regulatory shift occurred in 1976 with the introduction of Regulation 250/76, which allowed schools to utilize French as an instructional language for up to 80 per cent of the school day. The subsequent enactment of the Charter proved transformative, ultimately leading the province to establish its first two publicly funded francophone schools in 1984. This culminated in the creation of an independent, publicly funded francophone public elementary and secondary school system in 1994, a monumental victory for linguistic minority education.

The province's public francophone schools are currently administered through one of four distinct regional public school boards: the East Central Francophone Education Region No. 3, the Northwest Francophone Education Region No. 1, the Southern Francophone Education Region No. 4, and the Greater North Central Francophone Education Region No. 2. Each of these four public school boards operates as a mixed secular/separate school board, overseeing a network of 42 elementary and secondary schools distributed across 27 different communities. During the 2017–18 academic year, a total of 7,814 students were enrolled in Alberta's public francophone elementary and secondary schools.

Post-secondary

Alberta does not currently host an independent, stand-alone francophone post-secondary institution. However, the University of Alberta operates as a bilingual institution, offering a range of bachelor's and master's degree programs conducted entirely in the French language at its dedicated Saint-Jean campus, located in the Bonnie Doon neighborhood of Edmonton. The origins of this campus trace back to 1928 with the establishment of the private francophone educational institution, Juniorat Saint-Jean. This institution was later integrated into the University of Alberta in 1977. Complementing the university programs, the Saint-Jean campus also operates a college that has been offering two-year diploma programs in French since 2014. In 2018, the Saint-Jean campus reported an enrollment of 842 students.

Culture

The Edmonton City Centre complex houses not only a retail mall but also the English and French language studios for CBC/Radio-Canada, Canada's national public broadcaster. This dual-language presence underscores the multicultural fabric of the city.

Alberta is home to an extensive network of over 100 francophone non-profit organizations, each contributing to the vitality and diversity of the province's cultural landscape. These organizations operate across a wide spectrum of fields, from arts and education to community development and social services. La Cité Francophone, situated in the Bonnie Doon neighborhood of Edmonton, adjacent to the Campus Saint-Jean, serves as a pivotal provincial hub for Franco-Albertan organizations. It is also the venue for the annual Flying Canoë Volant festival, a vibrant celebration of winter culture and storytelling.

In the realm of performing arts, L'Unithéâtre in Edmonton and the Société de Théâtre present a repertoire of French-language theatrical works, enriching the province's cultural offerings. The Chorale Saint-Jean contributes to the musical landscape with its performances of French choral music. Additionally, numerous French Canadian folk dancing troupes embark on tours throughout the province, sharing traditional and contemporary dance forms. The Centre d’arts visuels de l’Alberta provides a dedicated space for francophone artists and artisans to showcase their work, fostering artistic expression and exchange. The annual Franco-Alberta Festival serves as a major platform for celebrating French language and culture, bringing together communities from across the province. The Regroupement artistique francophone de l'Alberta plays a crucial role in organizing events and providing professional development opportunities for francophone artists, ensuring the continued growth and vibrancy of the arts sector.

Media

Francophones residing in Alberta have access to broadcast media primarily through the television and radio services provided by the Société Radio-Canada, the French-language division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. This includes programming from Ici Radio-Canada Télé's station CBXFT-DT, the radio service Ici Radio-Canada Première via its station CHFA-FM, and the music service Ici Musique broadcast on CBCX-FM. Complementing these national services, francophone community radio stations operate in Edmonton (CFED-FM) and Plamondon, Alberta (CHPL-FM). A third community radio station, CKRP-FM located in Falher, Alberta, ceased operations in 2017.

In terms of print media, the weekly French-language newspaper Le Franco serves the province, providing news, commentary, and cultural content tailored to the Franco-Albertan community.

Notable Franco-Albertans

Religion

Law

  • Mary Moreau: Made history as the first Franco-Albertan appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada on November 6, 2023. She is notably recognized for her pivotal role in securing the right for Albertans to opt for a criminal trial conducted in French, with a French-speaking jury.

Politics

  • Prosper-Edmond Lessard: Served as Alberta's first French-speaking cabinet minister. He was a Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Pakan from 1909 to 1913 and for St. Paul from 1913 to 1921. He later became a Senator representing Alberta from 1925 to 1931.

  • Wilfrid Gariépy: A foundational figure in Franco-Albertan and Canadian politics. He served as a Liberal MLA for Beaver River (1913-1921) and held significant provincial portfolios as Alberta's Minister of Municipal Affairs (1917-1918) and Provincial Secretary (1918).

  • Jean Léon Côté: A Liberal MLA who represented Athabasca (1909-1913) and later Grouard (1913-1923).

  • Ernest Côté: Distinguished himself as a soldier, diplomat, and civil servant.

  • Joseph Miville Dechêne: Served as a Liberal MLA for Beaver River (1921-1926) and St. Paul (1930-1935). He later transitioned to federal politics, serving as a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for Athabaska from 1940 to 1958.

  • Laudas Joly: Began his political career as a United Farmers MLA for St. Paul (1921-1930). He later served as a Social Credit MLA for Bonnyville from 1952 to 1955.

  • Joseph Beaudry: A Social Credit MLA who represented St. Paul from 1935 to 1952.

  • Léo Piquette: Served as an NDP MLA for Athabasca-Lac La Biche from 1986 to 1989 and was a prominent advocate for francophone minority rights.

  • Paul André Joseph Langevin: Held a seat as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Lac La Biche-St. Paul from 1993 to 2001, initially as a Liberal and later as a member of the PC party.

  • Denis Ducharme: Served as a PC MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake from 1997 to 2008.

  • Hector Goudreau: Was a PC MLA for Dunvegan-Central Peace-Notley from 2004 to 2015. He held significant ministerial positions, including Alberta Minister of Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture (2006–2008) and Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs (2008-2011).

  • Claudette Tardif: Served as a Senator for Alberta from 2005 to 2018, initially as a Liberal and later as an independent. She is notable for being a Franco-Albertan of Russian descent.

  • Colin Piquette: Son of Léo Piquette, he served as an NDP MLA for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater from 2015 to 2019.

  • Marie Renaud: Has been an NDP MLA representing St. Albert since 2015.

  • Randy Boissonnault: Made history as the first Franco-Albertan federal minister to represent an Alberta riding. He has served as the Liberal MP for Edmonton Centre (2015–2019; 2021–present). His federal roles include Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (2015-2017) and Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance (October 26, 2021 to present).

  • Pierre Poilievre: Holds the distinction of being the first Franco-Albertan federal minister. He has been the Conservative MP for Nepean—Carleton since 2004.

Sports

  • Chris Benoît: A professional wrestler. Although born to a French-Canadian family in Montréal, he was raised in Edmonton and based his wrestling career out of Calgary.

  • Arthur Boileau: A former professional runner of French-Canadian descent. He represented Canada in the marathon at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. He was born in Edmonton.

Art

  • Crystal Plamondon: A singer and songwriter hailing from Plamondon, Alberta.

  • Marguerite-A. Primeau: A writer who primarily wrote in French. She was from St. Paul, Alberta but spent the majority of her writing career in Vancouver.

  • Les Bûcherons: This duo is known for presenting French-Canadian music and dance performances to audiences across the province.

  • Robert Goulet: An American entertainer of French-Canadian parentage who had Franco-Albertan residency. His family migrated from Massachusetts to northern Alberta when he was merely three months old. There were rumors he was seeking Canadian citizenship, but he passed away in 2007 before any such action could be completed.

See also

Notes

  • The figures cited represent Albertans who reported French as their mother tongue. The government of Alberta defines a Franco-Albertan as a francophone resident of the province [2].
  • In this context, "linguistic minority population" specifically refers to anglophones or francophones, as English and French are recognized as the official languages of Canada.