French services directory

Historic sites, museums and libraries

• The following provincial historic sites and museums offer services, resources, school programming and/or events in French:
  • Provincial Archives of Alberta
  • Father Lacombe Chapel
  • Lougheed House
  • Royal Alberta Museum
  • Royal Tyrrell Museum
  • Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
• Alberta's publicly funded libraries offer French-language resources; the majority are accessible throughout the province through the inter-library loan program.

Francophonie in Alberta

• Francophone heritage in Alberta
• The Francophone Secretariat liaises with Alberta's Francophone community and coordinates the implementation of the French Policy.
  • Subscribe to the Francophone Secretariat's news for information on the implementation of the French Policy.
• Federal-provincial cooperation – Canadian Francophonie: Alberta works with the federal government to improve French-language services in the province.

Community organizations

• The Regroupement artistique francophone de l’Alberta (RAFA) is recognized by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.
• The Société historique francophone de l'Alberta (SHFA) receives provincial funding to assist with operating and programming expenses, and for research projects.
• Other community organizations provide library resources in French to the community:
  • Alliance française d’Edmonton
  • Alliance française de Calgary
  • Bibliothèque du Campus Saint-Jean (Edmonton)
  • Bibliothèque Detinger (Falher)
  • Bibliothèque de Saint-Isidore
  • Centre de ressources de la langue française (Grande Prairie)
  • Institut Guy-Lacombe de la famille (Edmonton)
  • La Cité des prairies (Lethbridge)
  • La bibliothèque Detinger (Falher)

Programs for artists

• Alberta Made Screen Industries Program
  • Alberta Made Production Grant
  • Post-Production, Visual Effects and Digital Animation Grant
  • Alberta Project Script Development Grant
• Alberta-based artists can apply to become the government's next artist in residence and promote art and artists across the province.

• Small business resources: supports are available to help Alberta entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow and succeed.
• Alberta Employment Standards Rules: legislation on minimum wage, overtime, statutory holidays, job-protected leave, holiday, hours of work, compensation, young workers and termination of employment.

Governance resources

• The Board Development Program video series is available in French for not-for-profit organizations. It covers the principles of governance, legal responsibilities and conflicts of interest.
• Building relationships with business: a toolkit for non-profits (publication): to help non-profits build relationships with businesses.
• Profile of Alberta's Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector (publication): provides an overview of the sector, how it operates and its impact on the cultural, economic, social and political fabric of the province.

Funding resources

• Funding for non-profit organizations: information, resources and financial assistance for non-profit organizations.
• Use the grant search tool to find grants in the arts, culture, sport, recreation, etc., including eligibility criteria and information.
• The Grant Writing 101 video series helps you develop the essential skills to write successful grant proposals and maintain strong relationships with funders.

Other grant programs

• The Anti-Racism Grant Program is designed to support Alberta community organizations in their efforts to implement initiatives that combat discrimination and systemic racism.
• The Ethnocultural Grants Program provides funding for initiatives that create intercultural links and celebrate diversity among ethnocultural and Aboriginal groups.
• Settlement, Integration and Language Projects grants: eligible organizations can apply for funding to create services that help newcomers settle in Alberta.

• Get a driver's licence
• Driver knowledge test: the test is available in French and 24 other languages.
• Driver's guide to operation, safety and licensing: Cars and light trucks (publication)

French-language education – kindergarten to grade 12

The Government of Alberta recognizes that English and French are the official languages of Canada. Canadian citizens belonging to the Francophone minority in Alberta have the right to have their children educated in Francophone schools according to section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and section 14 of the Education Act.

As French is one of Canada's 2 official languages, learning French is considered important to enhance opportunities for living and working throughout Canada and the world, as well as to foster a greater understanding between French-speaking and English-speaking Canadians. Alberta Education encourages opportunities for all Alberta students to learn French by making available alternative French language programs such as French immersion and French as a second language courses.

• Ministry of Education
• Francophone education rights: information on the rights of parents to have their children educated in French.
• French language education in Alberta: general information on Francophone education, French immersion and French as a second language.
• Writing diploma exams: guides, mock exams, regulations and other information designed to help students prepare for the Grade 12 diploma exams.
• Official Languages in Education Programs (OLEP): learn how the Government of Canada, through OLEP, contributes funding to early childhood to Grade 12 French education in Alberta.
• Pan-Canadian official languages programs: these programs help young people improve their language skills in English and French.
• New French spelling: learn about changes to spelling affecting approximately 2,000 French words.
• Francisation: Francisation programming, offered by the regional Francophone authorities, consists of targeted educational supports for eligible children and students who are enrolled in a Francophone education program.
• Guide to Education: a single, convenient reference with key information and requirements to operate and deliver Early Childhood Services (ECS) to Grade 12 education in Alberta.
• LearnAlberta.ca: provides learning and teaching resources.
  • The new LearnAlberta website will give you a better understanding of Alberta's K to 12 curriculum, help you find out what your child is learning and provide related information.
• The Fédération des parents francophones de l’Alberta (FPFA) receives operational funding from the province to support francophone school councils and promote French-language educational programming.

Post-secondary education

• Scholarships
  • Women in STEM Scholarship
  • Persons Case Scholarship
• Information on post-secondary education in Alberta:
  • Alberta's adult education system
  • Financing post-secondary education: find out how to finance your post-secondary education or vocational training in Alberta.
  • Types of post-secondary credentials
  • Types of publicly funded institutions
  • Canadian Adult Education Certificate: the new Adult Education Certificate that replaces the GED® in Canada.
  • Community Adult Education Program: improve your literacy and learning skills with part-time training near you.
  • Academic upgrading if you are aged 20 or over
  • Academic upgrading if you are under 20 years of age
  • Post-secondary credits for prior learning or experience
  • Returning to school as an adult
  • Private vocational colleges
  • Becoming an apprentice in Alberta
• Campus Saint-Jean at the University of Alberta is the largest provider of post-secondary programming fully delivered in French west of Manitoba. Campus Saint-Jean delivers credit programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of Education, Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences and Fine Arts.
• Since 2014, Campus Saint-Jean has also created a number of college-level programs through the Centre collégial de l’Alberta (CCA). These programs aim to provide rapid and effective answers to the needs of the job market and of the Francophone community with diploma or certificate programs in Business Administration, Early Childhood Education, Educational Assistant, Health Care Aide, and Tourism Management.
• Several public post-secondary institutions offer French-language programming:
  • Lethbridge Polytechnic
  • Medicine Hat College
  • Red Deer College
  • Keyano College
  • Lakeland College
  • NorQuest College
  • Northern Lakes College
  • Portage College
  • Grande Prairie Regional College
  • Athabasca University
  • Burman University
  • Concordia University Edmonton
  • Ambrose University
  • University of Calgary
  • University of Alberta
  • Université de Lethbridge
  • MacEwan University
  • Mount Royal University
  • Mary’s University

Emergency preparedness

• Learn how you and your family can prepare for an emergency or disaster:
  • Make an emergency plan
  • Prepare an emergency kit: lists and information on what you should have in your emergency kit and at home to deal with unexpected situations.
  • Preparing your pets
  • Preparing your farm animals and livestock for emergencies
  • Shelter in severe weather or hazardous air notices
• Learn about the hazards Alberta faces and how you can better prepare for them:
  • Blizzards, freezing rain, ice storms and extreme cold
  • Extreme heat
  • Preparing for floods
  • Tornadoes and extreme winds
  • Power outages
  • Thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain and hail
  • Preparing for wildfires
• Disaster recovery program: a number of resources and fact sheets are available in French and provide applicants with important information relevant to their application process.

Resources on alis.alberta.ca

• The alis website has many publications and resources to help you find work, including the following:
  • Search Alberta job postings by filtering through several categories, including language of work, location, industry, salary, etc.
  • Find out how career planning can help you
  • Get to know yourself
  • Tips for writing your CV
  • Cover letter template
  • Find job opportunities
  • The Skills for Success Model

Government of Alberta jobs

• The Government of Alberta regularly recruits bilingual candidates. Find out about current opportunities:
  • Employment with the Alberta Public Service
  • Opportunities on the boards of public organizations

Employment services

• Employment and career services provide unemployed people with the support they need to be successful in their job search and find new jobs. French-language services are available in various communities across Alberta including:
  • Parallèle Alberta (Edmonton, Red Deer, Saint-Paul, Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Plamondon, Lac La Biche)
  • Prospect (Calgary)
  • Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta (Grande Prairie)
  • Canmore Job Resource Centre (Banff/Canmore region)
  • Falher Library (Falher)
  • WCG Calgary Career Hub (Calgary)

Employment standards

• Bereavement leave
• Alberta minimum wage increase
• Leave for citizenship ceremony
• Payroll deductions
• Family violence leave
• Minimum wage
• Leave for personal and family responsibilities
• The Employment Standards Contact Centre offers a translation service.
• The Occupational Health and Safety Contact Centre offers a translation service.

Bow Habitat Station

• Student Environmental Action Challenge: students from kindergarten to grade 12 can create a school project that addresses environmental concerns.

Digital literacy

• Digital literacy program: acquire the skills needed to work, learn and socialize online.

Children and families

• Provincial Family Resource Networks: the following centres provide services and supports for children up to 18 years old:
  • Institut Guy-Lacombe de la famille (Edmonton)
  • Centre d'appui familial du sud de l’Alberta (Calgary)
• Alberta Child Care Certification Standards (publication): this booklet promotes excellence in childcare settings and helps families choose the best care for their children.
• Creating language-rich environments:
  • Preschool Talk Box (publication): this resource gives parents suggestions to help create language-rich environments at home, in the park, at the mall, or anywhere.
  • Talking is key (video): explains how children from 3 months to 5 years old learn language and gives tips for parents to encourage language learning.
• Triple P – Positive Parenting Program: program to help parents manage problem behaviour and developmental issues, encourage positive behaviour, cope with stress, develop a close relationship with their child and teach their child new skills.

Crisis support – Violence and harassment

• Abuse helpline: Call 1-855-4HELPAB if you or someone you know is being abused or neglected. The provincial abuse helpline is operated by the Alberta Supports Contact Centre. Help is available in French.
• Bullying helpline: if you are a victim of bullying or abuse, talk to trained staff in French. This anonymous service is available over the phone toll free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-456-2323.
• Family violence:
  • Family Violence Info Line: if you are a victim of family violence, talk to trained staff in French. This anonymous service is available over the phone toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 310‑1818.
  • Find supports: connect with helplines, financial assistance, shelter and other supports, and know the law and your rights.
  • Family violence prevention: know how to stay safe when leaving or continuing an abusive relationship.
  • What is family violence: recognize family violence and know the warning signs.
  • How to help: how family, friends, employers, health care providers and communities can help others experiencing family violence.
• Publications
  • Family violence: what you need to know
  • Child abuse/children exposed to family violence information sheet
  • Women abused in intimate relationships information sheet

Income support

• Alberta Supports: assistance is available in French over the phone to access programs and community services for seniors, employment, homelessness, financial needs, children and youth, parents and families, people with disabilities, guardianship and trusteeship, as well as abuse, bullying and family violence prevention.
• Affordable housing programs: housing options for families, seniors and individuals with special needs, and building construction standards for affordable housing.

Seniors

• The Alberta government owns 2 bilingual subsidized seniors facilities that are managed by a Francophone community board and offer activities in both French and English:
  • Manoir Saint-Joachim (Edmonton)
  • Manoir Saint-Thomas (Edmonton)
• Alberta Seniors Benefit
• Help for Seniors with Special Needs
• Dental and Optical Assistance for Seniors
• Elder abuse – Get help: Recognize signs of elder abuse and learn how to get help.
  • Family Violence Info Line: if you are a victim of family violence, talk to trained staff in French. This anonymous service is available over the phone toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 310-1818.
  • Facts on elder abuse (publication): information on what elder abuse is, who the victims are, who the abusers are, signs of elder abuse, and information and resources if you or someone you know is a victim of elder abuse.
• Face it: elder abuse happens (poster): information on the Family Violence Info Line, which offers advice and referrals to those experiencing elder abuse or who think elder abuse may be happening to someone they know.
• Saying farewell: a guide to assist you with preplanning and with the death and dying process (publication): can help you do some of the planning that may help your family and friends in the time after your death.

• Municipal election forms: forms used by municipal election staff and voters are available in French.
• Alberta's emblems reflect the province's history, as well as the diversity of its peoples and landscapes.
• How the Alberta government works: mandate and organization of the Alberta government, legislation and key positions.
• The Legislative Assembly of Alberta's website provides teaching and online educational resources in French.
• The Alberta Bilingual Municipalities Association (ABMA) is a membership association serving member municipalities in Alberta that are federally declared bilingual and/or support bilingualism as an important engine for economic growth.

Alberta Health Insurance Plan (AHIP)

• Find out about the requirements for applying for, registering for and obtaining a health insurance card to cover insured health services in Alberta under the Alberta Health Insurance Plan (AHIP).
  • Application for health care coverage in Alberta

Community organizations

• Le Réseau santé Alberta is working with the Government of Alberta to improve access to French-language health programs and services, as well as developing initiatives to strengthen collaboration and identify gaps in service delivery.

Disease prevention and surveillance

• Immunization and routine immunization schedule: learn about the importance of immunization, the routine immunization schedule, where to get immunized, immunization records and statistics.
• West Nile virus and surveillance: learn about West Nile virus (WNV) in Alberta, ongoing surveillance to identify cases and determine the risk each year.

Health care services, facilities and providers

• Alberta Health Services (AHS) provides services for French-speaking patients and families. This includes 24/7 over the phone interpretation, document translation for patient care, as well as brochures and posters on various health topics.
• Saint-Thomas Community Health Centre (Covenant Care) in Edmonton provides primary care services in French, including long-term care and assisted -living services with operational funding from AHS.

Information on health-related programs and benefits

• Alberta Health Benefits for Adults
• Alberta Children's Health Benefits
• Alberta Seniors Benefit
• Supplementary Medical Insurance Program for Seniors
• School Nutrition Program: students in participating schools will receive a daily nutritious meal that follows the Alberta nutrition guidelines for children and youth.
  • Alberta nutrition guidelines for children and youth (publication): guidelines to equip facilities and organizations with the tools they need to provide healthy food choices in childcare settings, schools, recreation centres, at special events, and in the community at large.
  • Healthy eating for children and youth in schools (publication): booklet for students, volunteers and others to support the use of the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines in schools and at home.

• Rental information: information on leases, security deposits and sub-meters to know before entering into a rental agreement.
• Affordable housing and rental assistance
  • Rent support
  • Affordable housing programs

Your rights and the law

• In Alberta, criminal proceedings can be heard in French. An accused person can apply to have their trial heard in French and request a French interpreter.
• For provincial offence matters, bilingual or French-language hearings/trials are possible if directed by the Court (and with the consent of the prosecutor). Provision of French interpretation services is possible if the defendant or counsel wishes to use French in oral communications in a proceeding, and gives reasonable notice to the prosecutor and the court.
• For civil/family matters, requests can be made to have French-speaking judges and clerks assigned (for example, where all of the parties involved speak French). Accommodating these requests is based on availability.

The Court of King's Bench

• The Court of King's Bench offers services in French and facilitates the exercise of language rights in the Court of King's Bench.

Legal procedures and assistance

• The Language Line Interpreter Service for Clients is available in French.
• Alberta Law Libraries connect Albertans with reliable sources of legal information and offers approximately 1,300 titles in French.
• Association des juristes d'expression française de l'Alberta (AJEFA – French-speaking legal professionals association of Alberta) receives federal funding to promote access to justice in French in Alberta.
  • Alberta Legal Information Centre: located in Edmonton and Calgary, the centre offers free and confidential legal information, referral and support services to people facing legal problems.
• Alberta Human Rights Commission provides the following fact sheets in French:
  • What is protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act
  • Employment: Discharges, Termination Agreements and Human Rights
  • Harassment as a form of discrimination
  • Physical or mental disabilities and discrimination

Birth

• Alberta Birth certificates are bilingual.

Marriage

• Alberta marriage officiants offer their services. Contact the Service Alberta contact centre to find one near you.
• If you are a marriage commissioner who performs civil marriages in French, you can order a booklet on civil marriage in French by contacting the Service Alberta contact centre.

Divorce and separation

• Parenting after Separation (PAS) parent's guide is the companion to the Parenting After Separation course that is offered in French. It provides separated/divorced parents with information about the effect of divorce on children's development. It introduces topics such as relationship building blocks, helping children cope with separation and divorce, the legal system and parenting plans.

• Opportunities in Alberta
• Resource for military families
• Immigration: resources for immigrants and refugees, including support programs, finding a job and applying for temporary and permanent residency.
• Applying for health care coverage if you move to Alberta
• Several settlement agencies receive provincial and/or federal government funding to deliver French-language settlement services:
  • Portal (Cité des Rocheuses) (Calgary)
  • Centre d’accueil pour nouveaux arrivants francophones (Calgary)
  • Francophonie albertaine plurielle (FRAP) (Edmonton, Red Deer, Fort McMurray)
  • Immigrant Association Portal (PIA) (Calgary and southern Alberta)

Finding a job

• International Qualifications Assessment: information on how to have foreign credentials assessed for immigration, work or study purposes and resources from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) for organizations.

• Alberta Parks offers publications in French, including:
  • Regulations – Alberta's provincial parks and recreation areas
  • Nature as a second language – An introduction to Alberta's Provincial Parks