Alberta's culture minister on Thursday marked the first anniversary of a special day for the province's French community.
On June 14 of last year the government adopted its French Policy, which among other things recognized the Franco-Albertan flag as a symbol of distinction under the Emblems of Alberta Act, and proclaimed every March Alberta Francophonie Month.
“Alberta has one of the largest, fastest-growing and most culturally diverse French-speaking populations in Canada today and the province attracts French-speaking people from around the world," Culture and Tourism Minister Ricardo Miranda said in a press release. He's also minister responsible for the Francophone Secretariat. "Our government values our francophone communities and their contributions to the province, and we are committed to enhancing services and supports for this vibrant population. We’ve made great progress in a short amount of time and I look forward to continued results.”
He said the government has created and recruited members to a new Alberta Advisory Council on the Francophonie.
There were more than 100 applicants from diverse geographical, cultural and demographic backgrounds.
Alexandra Dénommée, executive director of the Jasper branch of ACFA, agreed a lot of progress has taken place.
"I know for example that 10 francophone and bilingual daycare centres are now part of the Early Learning and Child Care Centre program," she said on Thursday. "And there is now a guide to parenting after separation, which provides guidance on the legal process of separation, that has been translated into French to support Francophone families."
