In response to the current pandemic, we have established a blackout period during which time we will not be supporting some travel-related activities, despite the reopening of suspended components. There may be restrictions or conditions on projects in which public gatherings are an essential part. As a result, the contents of this page may not be up to date. Please consult our COVID-19: Information and support for the arts sector web page for details.
In partnership with

The Games of la Francophonie
The national cultural competition for the Games of la Francophonie is coordinated through a partnership between the Canada Council for the Arts and the department of Canadian Heritage.
The Games reflect our ongoing commitment to
- create more opportunities for the next generation,
- ensure the vitality of Official Language Minority Communities, and
- support the strong and sustainable presence of Canadian artists and their work in the world.
Created in 1987, and held every four years since, the Games of La Francophonie bring together thousands of young (18-35) athletes and artists from member and observer states and governments of La Francophonie. They are the only major games that feature both sports and cultural competitions. The next Games are scheduled for 2022.
Team Canada: 2017 Culture Component Finalists and Winners
Represented in twelve cultural competitions, discover the Team Canada finalists who competed in the cultural components of the 2017 Games in Ivory Coast, and the lucky ones who brought home a medal.

Benoît Davidson
Stories and Storytellers
Saint-Rémi-d'Amherst, QC

Collectif Pi
Street Arts: Giant Puppets
Montréal, QC
Silver

Freestyle Soccer Inc.
Street Arts: Freestyle Ball
Toronto, ON

Freya Björg Olafson
Creative Dance
Winnipeg, MB

Gabriel Marcoux-Chabot
Literature
Saint-Nérée-de-Bellechasse, QC

Guillaume Boudrias-Plouffe
Sculpture
Longueuil, QC

Jeux Wasa
Sustainable Creation
Montréal, QC
Gold

Karine Fréchette
Painting
Montréal, QC

Les Poules à Colin
Song
Montréal, QC

Michelle Bui
Photograhy
Montréal, QC

Mix Mix Dance
Street Arts: Hip Hop
Toronto, ON

Sabrina Ratté
Digital Creation
Montréal, QC
Gold
Created in 1987, and held every four years since, the Games of La Francophonie bring together 3,000 young (18-35) athletes and artists from member and observer states and governments of La Francophonie. They are the only major games that feature both sports and cultural competitions.
The Comité internationale des Jeux de la Francophonie, reporting to the International Organisation of La Francophonie is responsible for organizing the Games in co-operation with the host country’s national organizing committee.
In Canada, the Department of Canadian Heritage (on behalf of the Government of Canada) organizes and coordinates all activities related to the participation and coaching of athletes and artists who represent Team Canada. The Canada Council, for our part, organizes a national cultural competition.
Artists are pre-selected through a national cultural competition organized by the Canada Council for the Arts, after which point a jury appointed by the Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie selects the final candidates.
Canada has participated in every edition of the Games of La Francophonie since the very first, held in 1989, in Morocco.
Discover how many medals we've taken home over the years: Past Games of La Francophonie
For more information
Vanessa Novak
Senior Administrative Assistant
E-mail: Vanessa.Novack@canadacouncil.ca
613-566-4414, ext. 4102
Toll free: 1-800-263-5588, ext. 4102
Testimonials from previous Games participants

Connections, experience, love of the culture and our country
Supernaturalz arrived in the Nice airport surrounded by people in red-and-white maple-leafed athletic gear.

Participation, a medal and a confession: I’m coming back!
I took part in the last edition of the Jeux de la Francophonie, in 2013, and it turned out to be an absolutely unique experience in my life as an artist.

The opening ceremony: a well-kept secret… a chance to discover each other
This year, the Council, in association with Canadian Heritage, is shining more light on young artists who are breaking onto the international scene via the Francophone Games.