Every March, we celebrate Francophonie Month. Here in Canada, 22% of the population speaks French as their first official language, over 10 million Canadians speak enough French to carry on a conversation, and we all learn at least some French at school (well, we have French classes in school, how much we learn in those classes is a different question). Even so, French is a minority language in most of Canada, and the modernized Official Languages Act (2023) includes commitments for the Government of Canada to protect and promote the French language, including in Quebec.[1]
For our part, Vaughan Public Libraries reaffirms the place of French language collections and services as essential and core library services. French is one of Canada’s official languages and Ontario is the home of the largest number of francophones outside Québec in the country. Within its borders, the City of Vaughan has over a dozen French Immersion schools, three French language schools, and two francophone school boards.
French is an official language in 26 countries around the world (more if you separate out all the overseas French territories). In addition to those countries, still more use French as “working” language or a “de facto” co-official language. With French speakers coming from all corners, it makes sense that French is used as an official language of many international organizations, such as the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, NATO, the IOC, the list goes on.
What is so exciting about French in here in Vaughan, is that we have French speakers coming together from all of these different countries and cultures. We have the opportunity to share our different francophone and Francophile experiences and learn from one another.
So. Now that you’re all on board with protecting and promoting the French language in Canada, let’s take a look-see at what your library can offer you in French!
Let’s start with collections. We got BOOKS. We got ebooks. We got movies. We got language learning apps. With more than 20,000 titles, and 12,000 e-titles, there is something to find in French for all ages, levels, and interests.
We have old French classics, and also the hottest new books that EVERYONE is reading (the wait lists might even be shorter in French!).
Have you started the 2026 Reading Challenge yet? Try throwing a French book in there one month! Stretch that brain, expand those horizons!
Summer will be here before you know it! Remember that you can participate in the Summer Reading Club in English or French! Read books all summer long: English, French, any language actually! Come back to the library throughout the summer to report on your reading, if French speaking staff are available, you can report in French (if not, you can still report your French books, don’t worry!).
Can’t read in French? (Or, maybe you can, but it takes you much longer to read in French than in your first language – that’s me, I admit it.) Try a French movie – put on the subtitles and stretch that highschool French you know is in there. Language learning is all about hearing the language, after all. I have two favorite French movies: one French, one Canadian.
Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain (English title: Amélie) is a beautiful, whimsical, incredibly strange film about a young woman and her life and adventures in Montmartre. Sort of a modern-day Paris fairytale.
Let’s do a complete 180 and look at Bon Cop Bad Cop, a bilingual buddy-cop/odd-couple comedy where a two police officers (one Québécois and one Ontarian) must work together to solve a mystery. Complete with a dead body draped OVER the Welcome to Ontario/Québéc sign. It’s ridiculous. It’s hilarious. It’s WILDLY Canadian.
You could also try a French audiobook! Our digital library for books in French, Cantook, offers access to over 11,000 French ebooks and nearly 1,500 French e-audiobooks (the audiobooks in particular are a growing collection). Accessible from anywhere on your smart device, you really don’t have an excuse for not practicing your French these days.
Last but not least: let’s speak some French! Grown ups, join us on Zoom Monday evenings for our Cercle de Discussion; bring your littles to bilingual storytime at one of our three resource branches; and grades 2-6 can join us for Fun with French to practice our French reading, writing, and speaking skills.
We also have culinary programming in French! Still learning? Mixed French levels in the family? Join us for a Bilingual Cooking Workshop, like the upcoming Le temps des sucres or next season’s Bilingual Crêpes. Ready to level up those French skills? We’ve partnered with AFRY to offer Cooking in French!
[1] La Francophonie au Canada – Mois de la Francophonie – Canada.ca