Since 1867
Official Languages in Canada
Displaying 1 - 35 of 35 result(s)
1870
Talle-de-Saules (now Willow Bunch), Saint-Laurent-de-Grandin and Batoche leave their mark in Saskatchewan
These new communities, created by Métis families trying to preserve their semi-nomadic lifestyle, are established in regions that will later become part of Saskatchewan.
1877
An amendment to the Northwest Territories Act gives English and French equal status in the Legislative Assembly and before the courts
This means that English and French are on equal footing.
1882
The name “Saskatchewan” is used for the first time
The word “Saskatchewan” is derived from an anglicized version of a Cree word, kisiskâciwanisîpiy, meaning “swiftly flowing river.”
1891
In the Northwest Territories, the territorial legislature is empowered to regulate its proceedings
It promptly discards the official use of French.
1892
English becomes the sole official language of the Northwest Territories
An ordinance and a resolution make English the only language permitted in schools and in the legislative assembly.
1905
The Saskatchewan Act and the Alberta Act allow the limited use of French as a language of public instruction
Francophones of various origins settle in the newly created province of Saskatchewan, establishing numerous small villages.
September 1, 1905
Alberta and Saskatchewan join Confederation
Alberta becomes a province due in large part to the efforts of Sir Frederick William Alpin Gordon Haultain, a lawyer and member of the Council of the Northwest Territories and the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.
1910
Le Patriote de l’Ouest is founded in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan
The Catholic clergy is instrumental in creating this newspaper.
1912
Local chapters of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste are established in Saskatchewan
Because they are a minority in Western Canada, French and French-Canadian pioneers seek to preserve their language.
1912
The Société du parler français en Saskatchewan is founded
The Société is created in Duck Lake, with the goal of bringing together French Canadians in Saskatchewan in order to promote, protect and defend their interests and their rights.
December 14, 1918
The Association des commissaires d’écoles franco-canadiens is created in Saskatchewan
The Association is founded at a time when the threat to French-language education is at its highest.
1920
Migration to the Canadian Prairies begins at the end of the 19th century and peaks in the 1920s
French-Canadian migrants and French, Belgian and Swiss immigrants settle in Saskatchewan.
October 22, 1926
The first meeting of the secret society of the Commandeurs de l’Ordre de Jacques-Cartier is held in Ontario
The society is a reflection of a certain amount of frustration among French Canadians who feel that their rights are being ignored.
June 1, 1952
“Crois, Façonne, Rayonne, Garde” (believe, shape, shine forth, preserve) are the words associated with the call sign of CFRG radio
CFRG’s motto reflects the mission of this French-language Saskatchewan radio station, to protect the language and faith of the province’s Francophones.
1968
Saskatchewan amends its Education Act
The Education Act is amended to allow French language education, which had been banned in 1892.
1970
Franco-Saskatchewanians become Fransaskois
The term “Fransaskois” is coined by Father Jean Patoine of Edmonton. It was not until the late 1970s, however, that Franco-Saskatchewanians began identifying with the term “Fransaskois.”
1971
The first edition of L’Eau vive, Saskatchewan’s only French-language weekly, is published
Its name comes from the French translation of the Cree word kisiskâciwanisîpiy, which means “swiftly-flowing river” and after which the province is named.
1978
In Saskatchewan, a contest is held to choose the Fransaskois flag
The contest is sponsored by the Association jeunesse fransaskoise.
1980
Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Education creates the French Education Branch
The Branch is responsible for establishing and improving French-language education programs.
1980
The Fête Fransaskoise is created
This event was inspired by the 1979 celebration called “On s’garroche à Batoche!”
1980
The Saskatchewan branch of Canadian Parents for French is founded
It is the fifth provincial/territorial branch of the Canadian Parents for French network.
1983
Fransaskois parents mobilize for the right to govern French-language schools in Saskatchewan
Along the way, they found the Association des parents fransaskois.
1985
La Troupe du Jour arrives on the scene in Saskatchewan
La Troupe du Jour is the only professional French-language theatre company in the province.
1986
The Centre fransaskois de ressources culturelles et pédagogiques is founded
This Centre is the result of the efforts of Collège Mathieu’s executives.
1988
Saskatchewan adopts its Act Respecting the Use of the English and French Languages in Saskatchewan
It is the first provincial act to define the status of the French language in Saskatchewan.
1989
The Language Institute building is inaugurated at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan
Today, the building houses the University of Regina’s La Cité universitaire francophone and BAC (Bachelor of Education) Program offices.
1990
Saskatchewan creates its Francophone Affairs Branch
The Francophone Affairs Branch serves as a liaison between the provincial government and the Fransaskois community.
June 24, 1994
The first Fransaskois school board elections are held
Elections are held in eight communities, from Prince Albert to Gravelbourg.
1999
The Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise is rechristened
Members of the Association culturelle franco-canadienne de la Saskatchewan decide on a new name and a new governance structure to represent the Fransaskois community.
2003
The Réseau Santé en français de la Saskatchewan is created
The Réseau’s mandate is to promote, protect and improve access to French-language health services in Saskatchewan.
2004
The Government of Saskatchewan adopts its French-Language Services Policy
In the Policy, the Government of Saskatchewan recognizes that linguistic duality is a fundamental characteristic of Canada.
2006
The Coalition for the Promotion of the French Language and Francophone Culture in Saskatchewan is created
It launches Francofièvre to give Saskatchewan youth an exciting experience in French.
2012
Saskatchewan declares 2012 as the Year of the Fransaskois
This celebration commemorates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise.
2014
The Fête Fransaskoise festival returns
After a 10-year hiatus due to a lack of funding, the Fête is revived by the Conseil culturel fransaskois.
September 1, 2015
La Cité universitaire francophone opens in Regina, Saskatchewan
La Cité is the result of a merger between the University of Regina’s Institut français and its Department of French.