Image: École des Deux-Rives / Facebook / The B.C. government is moving forward with Abbotsford's first Francophone school, marking Fraser Valley's third such establisment after Chilliwack and Mission (pictured).

By Alyssa Conti

FRENCH LANGUAGE MILESTONE

Abbotsford moving forward with first-ever Francophone school

Sep 7, 2025 | 11:54 AM

ABBOTSFORD — The province has taken a major step towards supporting French-language students in Abbotsford after a $26 million land purchase in the Ten Oaks neighbourhood.

“Francophone families deserve schools that reflect and support their language and culture,” said Bowinn Ma, minister of infrastructure.

“These two site acquisitions, along with new Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF) schools underway in Pemberton and Burnaby, will help ensure francophone students are supported for years to come.”

The Ten Oaks site will mark the first such school in Abbotsford. It joins another land purchase in Victoria West – the third CSF school in that area.

“Each new project expands opportunities for families to provide their children with a French-language education rooted in their community,” said CSF Board Chair Marie-Pierre Lavoie. “These acquisitions pave the way for modern, welcoming schools that will meet the needs of francophone families in the region.”

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CSF represents all French schools located in British Columbia. The B.C. government will consider these projects, along with 59 requests from other school districts, as part of future budget cycles.

Two Francophone schools have already been established in the Fraser Valley: École des Deux-Rives in Mission and École La Vérendrye in Chilliwack.

Last year, B.C. expanded the Mission school with a $6.86 million investment into a new gymnasium.