From Enrolment Decline to Call to Action: Strengthening French Learning in BC with CPF Director Michel Pouliot

In this episode of Arash’s World, I have the pleasure of speaking with Michel Pouliot, Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French, BC & Yukon Branch on the gradual decline in French-language enrolment across British Columbia. Although demand remains strong, he explains that French Immersion and Core French programs face limited classroom capacity, enrolment caps, and uneven support from school districts. We examine several causes of this pressure, including a shortage of qualified French teachers, difficult certification pathways for internationally trained educators, and limited access in northern communities. We also emphasize that students are more likely to continue learning French when strong instruction is paired with cultural activities, practical opportunities to use the language, and flexible course options in high school. Michel calls for proactive teacher recruitment, protection of French-program classroom space, more flexible access to electives, and stronger provincial requirements where community demand exists. We then conclude that expanding French education would strengthen Canada’s bilingual identity, improve mobility and employment prospects, connect learners with Francophone cultures, and support the country’s long-term economic relationships.