This year marks 30 years of francophone school governance in Alberta. What started as two schools and 367 students in 1994 has now grown to 44 schools with more than 9,400 students across the province, supported by four francophone school boards.
Alberta's government is advancing eight priority francophone school projects, including full construction funding for the replacement of École Boréale in Fort McMurray and a solution project for École Sainte-Catherine in Lac La Biche. Solutions are capital projects that help to address multiple needs in the community through a single project and often impact other schools. With the addition of the 2024 capital projects, Albertans will see new and revitalized spaces where more francophone students can learn and thrive.
"Alberta's government values choice in education, and that includes French first-language education. We are committed to improving accessibility to francophone education while ensuring students have the funding, resources and spaces they need to learn to their fullest potential. I believe the investments through Budget 2024's eight priority francophone school projects will benefit students, families and their communities for decades to come."
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education
"I am happy to see our government continue to prioritize francophone education across the province. These much-needed spaces will create new and energized spaces where students and families can thrive in their communities."
Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation and Francophone Community Liaison
"The announcement of funding for the construction of École Boréale in Fort McMurray and for the planning for a Grade 7 to Grade 12 campus in Edmonton is great news for francophone families in these communities who have been waiting for these schools for decades. While there is more work to do, the Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord appreciates the funding by the Government of Alberta announced today."
Tanya Saumure, Board Chair, Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord
Francophone school projects in the 2024 Capital Plan will benefit students and families across the province. A new elementary school in north Calgary and the modernization of École Héritage in Falher have been approved for design funding. Four other priority projects have also been approved for planning funding including two in Calgary, one in Edmonton, and one in Plamondon. Moving forward on all eight priority projects will provide Alberta's francophone community with more opportunities for their children to have new and modernized spaces to access high-quality French education.
Budget 2024 is a responsible plan to strengthen health care and education, build safe and supportive communities, manage the province's resources wisely and promote job creation to continue to build Alberta's competitive advantage.
Quick facts
- Full construction funding approval includes all activities to take the project to completion, including construction and post-occupancy review.
- Design funding activities include the preparation of construction tender documents such as drawings and specifications.
- Planning funding activities include site analysis and scope development activities.
