Alberta’s Francophone culture and heritage were celebrated this week at the Alberta Legislature, with Bonnyville–Cold Lake–St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr among those attending a flag-raising ceremony marking the start of Alberta Francophonie Month.

The ceremony took place Monday at Violet King Henry Plaza in Edmonton, bringing together community leaders, educators, government representatives and members of Alberta’s Francophone community.

More than 260,000 French-speaking Albertans live across the province, and Cyr said the Francophonie continues to play an important role in Alberta’s identity and future.

“Alberta’s Francophone community has helped shape the culture and history of our province for more than 200 years,” said Cyr. “It’s important that we continue to celebrate that heritage and support the communities and organizations that help keep French language and culture strong for future generations.”

The ceremony was hosted by Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women, whose ministry works with Alberta’s Francophone Secretariat to promote French language and culture throughout the province. Also attending was Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation and Alberta’s Francophone Community Liaison.

The event also highlighted the work of the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta (ACFA), which represents and advocates for Francophone communities across the province. Founded in 1926, the organization will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, a milestone Alberta has also recognized by declaring next year the Year of the Francophonie.

Cyr said organizations like the ACFA have played a vital role in strengthening Francophone culture, supporting education and advocating for services in French across Alberta.

“It’s incredible to see the work that organizations like the ACFA have done over the past century to support Francophone culture and education,” said Cyr. “Their efforts have helped ensure that French language and heritage remain a vibrant part of Alberta’s communities.”

The celebration also focused on the importance of French-language education in the province. Alberta recently announced $2 million in pre-planning funding for 20 potential future Francophone school projects for the 2025–26 school year.

That funding allows school boards to assess community needs, identify locations and begin preparing projects for future approval.

Cyr noted that Bonnyville and Cold Lake are among the communities included in the pre-planning support through Conseil scolaire Centre-Est, which serves Francophone students in communities such as Bonnyville, Cold Lake, St. Paul, Lac La Biche and Plamondon.

“I was especially pleased to see Bonnyville and Cold Lake included in this early planning process,” said Cyr. “It’s an important first step in ensuring Francophone students in the Lakeland continue to have access to quality education and strong community support.”

The region is already home to Francophone schools such as École des Beaux-Lacs in Bonnyville and École Voyageur in Cold Lake, which provide French-language education and help preserve Francophone culture locally.

Cyr also reflected on his own family’s connection to Canada’s Francophone history.

“My family’s roots in Canada go back to André Cyr, who arrived in New France in 1668,” said Cyr. “Generations later, my ancestors moved west to Alberta in the early 1900s and helped build communities across northern Alberta.”

“I’m proud to be a 14th-generation Francophone Canadian and a fourth-generation Albertan,” he added. “Now my daughters represent the fifth generation of our family to call Alberta home.”

Cyr thanked organizers and members of Alberta’s Francophone community for continuing to promote and celebrate French language and culture across the province.

“Events like this remind us of the rich heritage that Francophone Albertans have contributed to our province,” said Cyr. “It’s something worth celebrating and protecting for generations to come.”