Colwood Secures Land for New French-Language School

Colwood’s Royal Bay neighbourhood is set to welcome a new French-language school, marking a significant development for the region’s francophone community. The Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF), the public school board for French-speaking students in the province, has acquired land for the construction of this new educational facility.

This initiative will complement existing CSF schools in Saanich and Esquimalt, making Colwood’s institution the third French-language school in Greater Victoria. According to a news release from the provincial government, this expansion is aimed at ensuring that the region has adequate educational resources to support its growing francophone population.

B.C. government has committed $25 million to support the land acquisition, reflecting its dedication to fostering inclusive education. Esquimalt-Colwood MLA Darlene Rotchford commented on the importance of this project, stating, “As more families choose Colwood as their home, it’s encouraging to see plans moving forward to support all young learners, including those in the francophone community.” Rotchford expressed optimism about the new school’s potential to enrich the local community.

In addition to the Colwood project, the provincial government has also designated land in Abbotsford for another francophone school. These two new schools are part of a broader strategy to enhance French-language education across British Columbia, where 47 public francophone schools currently operate.

Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure, emphasized the necessity for schools that cater to francophone families, stating, “Francophone families deserve schools that reflect and support their language and culture.” The new site acquisitions, along with the ongoing development of CSF schools in Pemberton and Burnaby, are expected to bolster support for francophone students well into the future.

While the B.C. government has backed the land purchase, the CSF must submit a formal request for the two new schools during the next budget discussions, alongside proposals from other school districts across the province. Upon receiving provincial support, the CSF will collaborate with the government to outline comprehensive business plans for each school, detailing their size, design, student capacity, and projected timelines for opening.

The establishment of these schools not only highlights the commitment to bilingual education in British Columbia but also aims to enhance community cohesion by providing accessible educational options for families in the francophone community. As plans progress, stakeholders eagerly anticipate the positive impact these institutions will have on local students and the broader community.