In northern Alberta, some communities with somewhat older populations were predominantly French‑speaking. One example is the northwestern town of Falher, a member of the Alberta Bilingual Municipal Association, or ABMA. Unfortunately, communities such as St. Paul and Bonnyville have aging populations. As we discussed, the rural exodus is a major issue. We must try to address this issue so that our young people can stay in their communities. Cold Lake is more or less bilingual. It has a francophone or bilingual military base. The francophone population is connected to this base. In rural areas, the aging population is a major issue when it comes to the survival and development of these communities.
On December 11th, 2023. See this statement in context.