The Government of Canada supports the vitality of the French language in Saskatchewan.

SASKATOON, SK, July 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- Official language minority communities are an integral part of Canada's identity and contribute to the country's social, cultural and economic vitality. By investing in the organizations that support these communities, the Government of Canada is expanding access to services and creating opportunities for Canadians to live, work and thrive in the official language of their choice.

Today, Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services, announced more than $4 million in funding for 22 French-language organizations in Saskatchewan. She made this announcement on behalf of the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.

More than $3.5 million of the funding will support organizational programming, while an additional $544,173 will be invested in community projects, strengthening the diverse French-speaking organizations that enrich Saskatchewan. The funding will improve access to essential French-language services in minority-language communities, as well as French arts and culture. These projects will help Francophone youth build their future, empower Francophone artists to share their talent, and preserve and celebrate the rich history that continues to shape Saskatchewan's vibrant Francophone community.

The investment is provided through the Community Life component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program. The Department of Canadian Heritage's Official Languages Support Programs enhance the vitality of Canada's English- and French-speaking minority communities and support their development.

Quotes

"Our official languages are a vital part of our national identity and a great source of pride for Canadians. Our government is investing in organizations whose efforts ensure the strength and vitality of our official languages by providing access to essential services, promoting our arts and culture, growing our economy, and helping showcase the best of Canada to the world."

—The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages

"The French language has deep roots in Saskatchewan, and the Fransaskois community has made an incredible contribution to the story of our province. That's why our government is proud to invest in the community organizations doing the important work of keeping French language and culture vibrant in cities and rural communities across Saskatchewan. We believe in their future, and we'll always stand with them."

—The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development)

"Saskatchewan's Francophone community is an important part of the province's identity and future. Across the province, Francophone organizations are bringing people together, welcoming newcomers, supporting young people and creating opportunities for communities to thrive in French. Our government is proud to support their work because investing in these organizations means investing in vibrant communities, cultural vitality and a stronger Saskatchewan for everyone."

—Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services

"We're grateful for the Government of Canada's continued support of French-language minority communities. This funding is essential to our organization, allowing us to continue our mission serving families, promoting the French language, and making a meaningful contribution to the vitality and growth of Francophone culture in Saskatchewan."

—Bernard Wenga Ntcheping, President, Association des Parents Fransaskois

Quick Facts

The Community Life component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program offers official language minority communities access to services in their own language. It includes both project and multi-year programming funding.

The Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration represents an investment of more than $4.1 billion for the protection and promotion of Canada's official languages. It marks the biggest ever investment by a government in official languages.

On June 22, the Government of Canada launched the 2026 Cross-Canada Consultations on Official Languages to help define the guidelines of the next federal strategy, which will aim to advance the substantive equality of English and French across the country, support initiatives by official language minority communities, and protect and promote our two official languages, particularly French, across the country.

Associated Links

Development of Official-Language Communities Program – Community Life component
2026 Cross-Canada Official Languages Consultations

Backgrounder: Government of Canada supports the strength and promotion of French in Saskatchewan

The funding announced today comes from the Cooperation with the Community Sector and the Community Cultural Action Fund (CCAF) subcomponents of the Community Life component of the Department of Canadian Heritage's Development of Official-Language Communities Program. These components offer official language minority communities access to services in their own language and include both project and multi-year programming funding. 

CCAF project funding

Regular project funding

Programming funding

SOURCE Canadian Heritage