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Today is the Francophonie Day. Across the globe, more than 220 million men and women speak French; that\u2019s one person out of 32! 1<\/sup><\/p>\n In Canada, we often think of French being spoken primarily in one \u2018belle province\u2019; but there are actually close to 10 million Canadians who speak French.2<\/sup> In fact, outside Quebec, more and more people are reporting French as their mother tongue. As of 2011, 4.3% of Canadians outside Quebec report speaking French at home; more than 10% report being able to conduct a conversation in French.3<\/sup><\/p>\n Earlier this month, the Franco-Albertan flag was raised by francophones across Alberta. The Association canadienne-fran\u00e7aise de l\u2019Alberta has been organizing many activities to celebrate the French language, such excursions to sugar shacks, theatre shows and presentations.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so vibrant here and we\u2019re one of the few provinces where the French population only keeps growing,\u201d\u00a0says Isabelle Laurin, director of public affairs for the Association canadienne-fran\u00e7aise de l\u2019Alberta.<\/p>\n \u201cThe francophone population that\u2019s been here for many generations is very engaged,\u201d she said. \u201cSome of the challenges we have is getting new Franco-Albertans to recognize that there is a francophone community here\u00a0.\u201d<\/p>\n Each year, on March 20, the association holds a kiosk at Canada Place in Edmonton to encourage public servants to find out more about the francophone community in the province.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, in Quebec, there really is a continued struggle for linguistic equality rights. Yvon Beaudoin, a UNE Assistant Regional Vice-President for Quebec, recently attended the annual meeting of members of francization committees in Montreal. These committees are required by law; they aim to promote the French language within workplaces employing 50 or more individuals.<\/p>\n Beaudoin said francophones often have to fight to be able to work in the language of their choice. Sometimes, even access to French computer software can be a problem.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know it\u2019s much cheaper to buy software in English[BR4]<\/a> ,\u201d said Beaudoin. \u201cWhen we want the software in French, it\u2019s always a bit late – it\u2019s not always available. And it\u2019s much more expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n Beaudoin said that businesses in Quebec can obtain financial support from the provincial government to help them offset the cost of French-language software.<\/p>\n Another growing concern in Quebec revolves around the impact of globalization. As Quebec companies are bought out by larger American ones, francophones increasingly see the English language take centre stage.<\/p>\n Beaudoin is also a member of the UNE\u2019s francophone committee. He says he\u2019s seen a dramatic improvement in the quality of the French both during events and on the union\u2019s website.<\/p>\n [2] French and the francophonie in Canada<\/a>, Statistics Canada, 2011.<\/p>\n
[1] Press release<\/a>, Organisation international de la francophonie, 2013.<\/p>\n