Find francophone supports in Lanark County, including settlement services, community connections, and guidance in French to help you feel at home. Explore flexible options to learn or improve your French through local and online programs designed for different schedules and needs.
Canada has two official languages, English and French. English is the most widely spoken across most provinces and territories, while French is the primary language in Quebec and is also spoken in parts of Ontario, New Brunswick, and Manitoba. Francophone communities exist in every region of the country, and Quebec is also home to a large English speaking population.
Developing skills in either English or French is an important part of settling successfully in Canada. Many newcomers choose to focus on the language most commonly spoken in their community. Strong language skills can help with:
- getting a job
- going to school or helping your children with school work
- accessing services
- meeting and talking to people
- working towards Canadian citizenship
Francophone Supports
If French is your preferred language, Local Immigration Partnership Lanark and Renfrew can help connect you with francophone resources. In Lanark County, our sister program, PAF Point d’accueil francophone, offers dedicated support to French speaking newcomers by connecting individuals and families to services in the language they are most comfortable using.
PAF is guided by values of integrity, welcome, equity, diversity, inclusiveness, respect, and collaboration. Its mission is to support Francophone newcomers by providing clear information, guidance, and referrals to French language services so they can make informed decisions and build a strong foundation in their new community.
PAF agents provide practical, personalized support to help newcomers settle with confidence. They can assist with:
- finding housing
- looking for a job
- registering for school
- connecting to community activities
- opening a bank account
- completing administrative paperwork
This work also contributes to broader efforts to strengthen Francophone communities. PAF supports key objectives such as increasing the number of French speaking newcomers, strengthening local reception and settlement services, supporting economic integration, encouraging social and cultural inclusion, and promoting immigration to a wider range of communities.
For those in Renfrew County, please reach out to LRISS for support.
For additional guidance, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada provides a comprehensive French language settlement guide for Ontario. This resource includes information on Francophone service provider organizations, French language school boards, and relevant provincial services.
ESL Courses
For more information about English Second Language (ESL) courses available in Renfrew and Lanark counties please visit our ESL Services page
Looking to learn or improve your French?
There are also many opportunities to learn or improve your French, both in person and online, with flexible options to suit different schedules and learning styles.
Second Language Training offers a self directed approach that allows learners to move at their own pace while building confidence and overcoming common barriers.
- open to start at any time, duration is based on your goals.
- available in person and online
- free
The Government of Ontario offers provincially and federally funded French second language (FSL) programs across the province at the advanced, intermediate, and beginner level. For more information and to begin the process visit Adult Learning: French as a second language.
Whether you are just beginning or looking to strengthen your language skills, there are welcoming supports available to help you feel at home and succeed in your new community.
