Statement on International Day of La Francophonie

March 20, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement to mark International Day of La Francophonie:

“Today gives us the opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary richness and vitality of the French language and francophone culture in Canada and worldwide. Canada is home to around 8 million francophones and to millions more who speak French as a second language. In the context of the Official Languages Act, we have reaffirmed our commitment to promoting the French language internationally, including through our network of diplomatic missions abroad. French is an essential part of Canada’s past, present and future, and we are committed to ensuring the vitality of francophone communities and cultures at home and around the world.

“Canada is a founding and active member of l’Organisation internationale de La Francophonie which, for more than a half century, has brought people together throughout the French-speaking world to work on a wide variety of cultural, economic and social issues. This spirit of solidarity is invaluable in today’s increasingly polarized world, and the International Day of La Francophonie offers us a chance to reaffirm our commitment to this unique group of countries and to celebrate the French language.”