Characteristics
In 2016, Manitoba’s population included 46,060 people with French as their first official language.
More than half of Manitoban Francophones live in Winnipeg.
The Festival du Voyageur is the biggest Francophone winter festival in Western Canada.
Francophone spokesbody
The Société de la francophonie manitobaine (SFM) is the official spokesbody of the Francophones of Manitoba. It defends the rights guaranteed to Francophones and calls for the adoption of new laws and government policies to improve options and opportunities for living in French in Manitoba. The SFM facilitates communication and cooperation among the various Francophone organizations in the province. It is involved in every area of activity, including economic development, education and training for Francophones, the expansion of French-language living in Manitoba, the establishment of ties among communities, the promotion of cultural and artistic expression and much more.
Information at www.sfm.mb.ca, Twitter : @233ALLO
Immigration
Accueil francophone, an SFM initiative launched in 2003, helps French-speaking newcomers get settled in Manitoba. It welcomes the newcomers, assists them in their settlement process within the community, provides them with information, facilitates their access to community services and programs and, finally, encourages the host community to get involved in welcoming and embracing their new neighbours. Accueil francophone is a member of the Réseau en Immigration Francophone du Manitoba.
Tourism
Located in the centre of Canada, Manitoba’s untouched natural beauty and urban elegance will leave you captivated. Make friends with the majestic polar bear and soak up the vibrant culture of the capital city, Winnipeg. Paddle alongside curious beluga whales and discover the hospitality and friendliness of our people during the vacation of a lifetime to Manitoba.
The Manitoban landscape is highly varied. The south-western part of the province is prairie, with flat farmland and fields stretching out as far as the eye can see. Manitoba’s northern reaches are tundra, also relatively flat, while the rest of the province is carved from the Northern Shield, with bedrock and forests interwoven with magnificent lakes, hills and cliffs.
Information at www.travelmanitoba.com/fr et au www.joiedevivremanitoba.com, Twitter : @TravelManitoba
French second language – immersion
Have you just started teaching French immersion? Or perhaps you have been teaching it for years, but French is not your first language? If you want to expand your experience in French, pair up with Francophone seniors in your community and experience French at home. ACPI and the ÉFMs are there to help!
Information at www.efm-mts.org, Twitter : @EFMdepartout
Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is a national network of volunteers who believe that French is an integral part of Canada and who work to create and promote opportunities for young Canadians to learn French as a second language.
Information at www.cpf.ca/fr/