Province Creating First French-Language University in Ontario

Ontario is proposing to create a new French-language university, the first of its kind in the province, giving French-speaking students more opportunities to study in French.

In consultation with the francophone community, the French-language University Planning Board has provided recommendations to the government for the creation of a French-language university in Central and Southwestern Ontario, governed by and for Francophones. After careful review, Ontario will be accepting key recommendations of the report and intends to introduce legislation for the creation of the proposed university in the coming months.

Creating more postsecondary education options for students is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Quick Facts

• The government established the French-language University Planning Board last fall to provide recommendations for the creation of a new French-Language University in Central and Southwestern Ontario. The board is chaired by Dr. Dyane Adam.
• The French-language University Planning Board submitted its report to the government in July 2017.
• Ontario is home to 611,500 Francophones — the largest population in Canada outside of Québec – with central and southwestern Ontario home to the fastest growing Francophone population.
• A total of 430,000 people in the GTA speak French, which makes it the fourth most important centre of French-language speakers in Canada.
• In 2015-16, the Ontario government invested $87.9 million to support French-language postsecondary education, including almost $14 million from the federal government — an increase of more than 71 per cent since 2003-04.
• In partnership with the federal government, the government of Ontario has invested more than $204 million in capital projects since 2008 to support French-language postsecondary education.

Additional Resources

• Ontario’s francophone community
• French-language postsecondary education in Ontario
• Ontario’s colleges and universities
• From Local Innovation to Global Excellence: Proposal for a French-Language University in Ontario Report of the French-Language University Planning Board – June 30, 2017

Quotes

“This is a tremendous step forward in the creation of the first standalone French-language university in Ontario, governed by and for Francophones, which will provide access to high-quality French-language university education in the Greater Toronto Area and Central and Southwestern Ontario. My sincere thanks to the planning board panel and chair, Dr. Dyane Adam, for the work they have done.”

Deb Matthews

Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development

“Francophone culture and the French language have always been essential to Ontario’s identity and prosperity. This is strongly reaffirmed today with the government’s intent to provide high-quality postsecondary education to Francophone students. The creation of a new French-language university, governed by and for Francophones, is a critical milestone for Franco-Ontarians and future generations.”

Marie-France Lalonde

Minister of Francophone Affairs

 Original article can be found HERE