The Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta ''(French Canadian Association of Alberta)'' is a Canadian association that seeks to represent and promote the culture of Franco-Albertans within Alberta. It is the largest organisation of its kind in Alberta. The goals of the ACFA are to provide a collective voice for francophones by working on political grounds, and by providing and organising French language media and cultural events.

History

During the early 20th century, English was the only language used by the

Government of Alberta The Government of Alberta () is the body responsible for the administration of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. In modern Canadian use, the term ''Government of Alberta'' refers specifically to the executive� ...

and the sole language used for instruction, with the exception of a primary course that intended to provide a single year of French language instruction at primary schools. In spring of 1925, the

francophone The Francophonie or Francophone world is the whole body of people and organisations around the world who use the French language regularly for private or public purposes. The term was coined by Onésime Reclus in 1880 and became important a ...

community and the Minister of Education, Perren Baker, worked together to establish ministerial regulations in regards to French language education in

Alberta Alberta is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Canada. It is a part of Western Canada and is one of the three Canadian Prairies, prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to its west, Saskatchewan to its east, t ...

. Under the rules established, one hour a day could be spent on French, beginning in Grade 3. Following this, there was a strong need for organisation within the French Albertan community. On 13 December 1925, 400 French Albertans gathered for a convention at the Hotel Macdonald in

Edmonton Edmonton is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Central Alberta ...

to create the ''Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta'' (French Canadian Association of Alberta; ACFA), a general association for their community. A provisional committee was formed, presided over by Dr. Joseph-Étienne Amyot, to organise the ACFA, which held its first congress from 15 July to 18 July 1926. Originally, the ACFA was divided by volunteers into 'parish circles' composed of members from a specific parish or Catholic mission. This structure was replaced in 1960, when Alberta was divided into five regional circles. The organisation was financially supported by the Secretary of State of Canada until the position's dissolution in 1996. The ACFA were in attendance of and took part in the

Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (, also known as the Bi and Bi Commission and the Laurendeau-Dunton Commission) was a Canadian royal commission established on 19 July 1963, by the government of Prime Minister Lester B. P ...

and the

Meech Lake Accord The Meech Lake Accord () was a series of proposed amendments to the Constitution of Canada negotiated in 1987 by Prime Minister of Canada, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and all 10 Canadian provincial Premier (Canada), premiers. It was intended to ...

External Links

References

{{reflist Franco-Albertan culture 1926 establishments in Alberta Ethnic organizations based in Canada

History

See also

External Links

References