Overview

The Ontario and Québec government are each investing $250,000 in 2023-2024 under the Cooperation and Exchange Agreement between the government of Québec and the government of Ontario with respect to the Francophonie to support projects developed jointly by Francophone organizations in Ontario and Québec which aim to:

  • encourage the development of Francophone culture
  • leverage Francophone economic opportunities
  • enhance a mutual understanding between the two provinces

Description

Under the agreement, Ontario’s Ministry of Francophone Affairs and the Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes are funding projects developed and carried out jointly by Francophone organizations in Ontario and in Québec. Each project must be submitted by an applicant from one province and a co-applicant from the other province.

Ontario and Québec are each investing $250,000 in support of eligible projects. The maximum grant limit per project is $40,000.

While projects from all sectors are eligible, priority will be given to projects from the economic development, culture, education and tourism sectors.

Application period and deadlines

The application period for 2023-2024 is open from March 1 until April 28, 2023.

Projects selected will receive confirmation of their funding in Spring 2023.

The selected 2022-23 projects are listed here.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants or co-applicants from Ontario must be registered Francophone organizations with head offices in Ontario.

Applicants may submit a proposal if they live in Ontario and represent (including but not limited to) :

  • a non-profit organization
  • a business
  • a school
  • a municipality

For more details on eligibility, please consult the Programme d’appui à la francophonie canadienne’s framework (in French only).

Your proposal is eligible if:

  • it is submitted in partnership with an organization in Québec
  • it promotes the French language and the vitality of the Francophone community in Ontario and Québec

The following applicants are not eligible to receive funding under this program:

  • individuals
  • ministries and agencies of the Government of Ontario or other governments in Canada
  • companies listed in the Government of Canada’s Register of Enterprises Not Eligible for Public Contracts (RENA)
  • authorized or registered political parties or bodies recognized by the electoral authorities
  • political education organizations
  • applicants who have not complied with Ontario’s or the Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes’ accountability requirements for any previous project

In addition, any project funded under this program cannot be funded by the Ministry of Francophone Affairs’ Francophone Community Grants Program or by other funding programs offered by the Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes.

All projects submitted must take into consideration the special circumstances created by the pandemic, including interprovincial travel guidelines and provincial health safety measures.

Program guidelines

All necessary information is available on the Government of Québec website (in French only), including guidelines, technical FAQ and other reference materials.

Applicant organizations will need to be registered on the partner registry (in French only) to access the application forms for the program and to submit their application and required documents.

Visit the FAQ section page (in French only) on the Québec government website for more information on the application process.

Projects from organizations in Ontario and Québec will be analyzed by a bilateral Ontario-Québec selection committee made up of representatives of Ontario’s Ministry of Francophone Affairs and the Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes, who will also seek the advice of the Bureau du Québec à Toronto. Some applications may be submitted to the relevant sectoral ministries for advice.

2022-2023 selected projects

Project nameOntario organizationQuébec co-applicantProject description
Community-based experiential learning - a vehicle for student mobility in the Canadian FrancophonieUniversité de l'Ontario françaisUniversité de Montréal - Vice-rectorate for Community and International PartnershipsDevelop mobility and exchange projects that will let undergraduate students take courses or participate in a community project in one of the two universities. Students will have the opportunity to experience another francophone community in Canada.
Coup double 2022-2023: meetings between students and Francophone artistsAssociation canadienne d’éducation de langue françaiseN/AArrange tours of French language schools in the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba,Ontario,and Quebec to:
  • allow young people to experience an innovative and unique cultural workshop
  • introduce students to a Canadian Francophonie artist from a different province
Franco-Canadian bridge (Québec-Ontario)Cooperation Council of OntarioLE CAMP QuébecThis project is spread over 4 stages:
  1. Creating a welcome point to accommodate entrepreneurs.
  2. Each participating entrepreneur will receive a free personalized advisor so they can target the right market players.
  3. The Cooperation Council of Ontario and LE CAMP Québec will each offer workshops on current economic and social issues.
  4. The two organizations will each select one entrepreneur per province who will be offered space on one of their platforms to promote their projects (for example, on Facebook or on the organization’s blog or website)
Guide to best practices in the recognition of prior learning for the entire program (RDAI) for a recognized qualification pathway adapted for adults at Collège BoréalCollège BoréalUniversité de Montréal - Vice-rectorate for Community and International PartnershipsImplement quality assurance mechanisms to ensure the rigour and sustainability of recognition of prior learning for the entire adult program. Develop a best practice guide to establish and document the main foundations of the approach, ensuring it is implemented consistently.
Impact and development assessment of the future vision for the College Partnership FundRéseau des cégeps et des collèges francophones du CanadaN/AThe evaluation of the College Partnership Fund will:
  • improve the accessibility and quality of French-language education at the college level through data collected in the field
  • renew the commitment and collaboration of stakeholders across the country to increase the scope and reach of the program and its impact on Francophone and Acadian communities in Canada
Interprovincial Partnership: A way to enhance our services and resources for Francophone parents in CanadaParents partenaires en éducationLigneParentsThrough the exchange of best practices in intervention and support services, this partnership aims to support and strengthen organizational capacities in the areas of governance, management, funding and direct service delivery to parents.
Inter-university research collaboration in the Canadian FrancophonieN/AL’Association canadienne-française pour l’avancement des sciences (Acfas)Acfas will conduct a research mobility program to promote:
  • the creation of interprovincial and interterritorial research collaboration networks
  • bringing Canadian Francophonies together
Mapping of possible Ontario-Québec synergies. French-language university programsUniversity of SudburyUniversité du Québec en Abitibi-TémiscamingueAnalyze the strategic plans and/or program development plans of selected Québec universities to establish an inventory of faculty resources to identify potential collaborations.
Podcast series on the FrancophonieGroupe Média TFOLa Puce à l'oreilleCreating one- to two-minute podcasts, "Les balados de la francophonie," for children aged 9 to 15 and the public. The theme of the podcasts will be expressions of the Francophonie. The podcasts will be accompanied by training tools and teaching materials for education staff.
Québec-Ontario Economic Exchange MissionsLa Société économique de l'Ontario (SÉO)Trade missions of Laval UniversityOrganize trade missions and activities in both Québec and Ontario to promote networking and economic exchanges between:
  • Québec entrepreneurs and students
  • Ontario entrepreneurs and potential Francophone business partners
Sommet de la francophonie économique canadienne 2022 - Toronto Global Forum 2022Fédération des gens d'affaires francophones de l'OntarioInstitut international d'études administratives de Montréal Inc.This event will encourage the exchange of information and promote open discussion on current pan-Canadian economic issues, including:
  • the Francophone labour shortage in Québec and Ontario
  • international women's entrepreneurship
  • Francophone business incubation
The event will also facilitate meetings between members of the Francophone community.
Strengthening the Francophone business ecosystem in Ontario and QuébecFédération des gens d'affaires francophones de l'OntarioFédération des chambres de commerce du QuébecHighlight Québec and Ontario small- and medium-sized enterprises (three per province), that rely on the French language, to help them develop their markets outside their provinces. Videos will be created which highlight their products, services, successes, and the challenges they face.
Together to improve LGBTQIA+ agingFédération des aînés et des retraités francophones de l'OntarioFondation ÉmergenceCreate a francophone LGBTQIA+ seniors' network and offer training sessions, called "Pour que vieillir soit gai" to:
  • help break the isolation of francophone LGBTQIA+ seniors in Ontario
  • get community organizations to promote their well-being
  • raise awareness among service providers by making training accessible
Update of the program “Musclez vos méninges” and creation of new contentCentre Charles-Émile-ClaudeCentre de recherche et d'expertise en gérontologie sociale du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-MontréalUpdate and create new content for the intellectual vitality program "Musclez vos méninges," aimed at seniors aged 65 and over. The goal is to provide seniors with information on the effects of aging, giving them confidence in their own abilities, teaching them strategies to improve their memory and promoting good lifestyle habits.
Women's Entrepreneurship Knowledge Portal Celebrates Francophone Indigenous EntrepreneursDiversity Institute, Toronto Metropolitan UniversityChaire BMO en diversité et gouvernance, The School of Industrial Relations at the Université de MontréalThis one-day event celebrates Francophone Indigenous women entrepreneurs by providing opportunities to reflect and share knowledge about:
  • the journey of Francophone Indigenous entrepreneurs
  • the future of an inclusive innovation ecosystem in Quebec and Canada
Young Leader and Franco Entrepreneur SymposiumÉpelle-Moi CanadaL'Envol scolaireProvide youth aged 12 to 16 from the Windsor-Essex, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal areas with leadership and entrepreneurial skills to:
  • write a mini business plan
  • start their own business

Contact us

If you have any questions about this program, please contact the Ministry of Francophone Affairs at OFA@ontario.ca.

Québec organizations may contact the Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes at sqrc.francophonie@mce.gouv.qc.ca.