Ontario Investing $3 Million to Support Francophone Communities

TORONTO – The Ontario government is investing $3 million to protect the province’s Francophone community by creating jobs and driving economic growth through the 2025-26 Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP). Funding will help 71 organizations and businesses around the province strengthen the cultural and economic impact of Franco-Ontarians by expanding service offerings, improving employee training, increasing community outreach and expanding hiring.

“Our government has a plan to make Ontario the most resilient and competitive economy in the G7, and we need a strong and vibrant Francophone community to achieve that,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we will continue to invest in the Francophone Community Grants Program so we can celebrate Francophone culture and grow the economy for everyone.”

Each year, FCGP projects are selected to improve access to French-language services in the province, support the recruitment and training of bilingual staff, and promote impactful cultural and economic initiatives.

Some of this year’s recipients include:

• The Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara will receive $50,000 to support the integration of French-speaking newcomers in southwestern Ontario by promoting skilled trades and other careers as future pathways through French-language career fairs and professional events.

• Société d’appui direct au développement économique et communautaire (SADDEC) will receive $49,000 to offer practical training in artificial intelligence (AI) for professionals, organizations, and Francophone communities in Ontario, including entrepreneurs, newcomers, the general public and residents of rural areas.

• Triangle Magique will receive $49,000 to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators in Northern Ontario by developing bilingual support programs, recruitment and retention strategies, and a sustainable economic model for the sector.

The Francophone Community Grants Program is part of the government's plan to protect Ontario, which includes supporting the economic, social and cultural development of Francophone communities across the province.

Quick Facts

• The call for proposals in 2025–2026, launched last April, attracted a record-breaking 179 project submissions, demonstrating that this program meets real needs on the ground by supporting Franco-Ontarians’ contributions to the province’s economic and cultural development.

• The FCGP includes two funding streams. This year, 62 projects are supported under the Community and Culture stream, and 9 projects under the Economic Development stream.

• The federal government is providing a $1 contribution million to FCGP under the Canada–Ontario Agreement on Minority-Language Services.

• The launch date for 2026–2027 applications for FCGP will be announced in early 2026.

Quotes

"Francophone communities across the country must be strong for Canada to be strong. Through the Canada–Ontario Agreement, we are working with our provincial partners to build a future where French thrives—in Ontario and across Canada—and where the Francophonie is a driver of growth and a source of opportunity."

- The Honourable Steven Guilbeaul

Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages

Additional Resources

• Projects selected under the 2025–2026 Francophone Community Grant Program

• Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP)

• Funding opportunities offered by the Government of Ontario

• Ontario’s Francophone Economic Development Strategy