Assiniboine Credit Union \/ Caisse Assiniboine is proud to announce a new partnership with Universit\u00e9 de Saint-Boniface (USB) to offer free Conversational French Classes to employees, with instruction available at multiple level, from beginner to advanced. The virtual program, which began in April 2025, will run for 11 weeks, with 12 groups each offering a 90-minute session per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Approximately 240 employees across ACU\u2019s three legacy organizations expressed interest in the program, with 148 currently enrolled in the spring session. Additional sessions are being explored for the fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUniversit\u00e9 de Saint-Boniface is delighted to collaborate with Assiniboine Credit Union on this meaningful initiative, which contributes to promoting the active offer of French-language services in Manitoba. In response to Assiniboine Credit Union\u2019s needs, USB opened additional classes at various levels of French, fully dedicated to Assiniboine staff members and offered at convenient times,\u201d said Aileen Clarke, Director of the Continuing Education Division at USB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ACU\u2019s non-French-speaking employees expressed a genuine interest in better connecting with Francophone communities, members, and colleagues. This positive response underscores ACU\u2019s merger commitment to delivering inclusive, accessible French services in the French designated areas it serves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOffering services in French is a fundamental commitment of our new organization, and the partnership we have established with the Universit\u00e9 de Saint-Boniface is a concrete example of this commitment. We\u2019re delighted by the enthusiastic response from our employees to learn French, and I\u2019m proud to say I am one of them. I look forward to the journey,\u201d said Kevin Sitka, President and CEO of the new Assiniboine Credit Union. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kim Champion-Taylor, Chief People & Brand Officer at Assiniboine Credit Union, reflected on her personal motivation to take part in the initiative: \u201cOne of the ways I can demonstrate my personal dedication to our commitment to French Language Services is by learning the language. Having the ability to exchange a few words or statements will help me engage with new colleagues and members and give me a deeper understanding of the rich history of the Francophone community in Manitoba.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These courses, already available to the general public, are based on educational materials developed by USB to reflect Manitoba\u2019s Francophone community. As a result, the content taught in the classroom allows learners to become familiar with a living French that is rooted in local realities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope this agreement will serve as a model for other organizations wishing to invest in bilingualism to better serve their clientele,\u201d added Aileen Clarke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 30 \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Media Contact:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sylvie Laurencelle-Vermette<\/strong> Roxanne Bisson<\/strong> About Assiniboine Credit Union<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Assiniboine Credit Union (ACU) is a financial co-operative with the widest distribution of branches in Manitoba. As a certified B Corp, ACU serves its member-owners and operates on Treaty One, Treaty Two, and Treaty Five lands, the homeland of the Anishinaabeg, Anisininew (A-nish-in-in-a-o), Assiniboine, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline (deh-nay-soo-li-nay), Inninew (In-in-a-o), and Saulteaux (Soh-toh). We acknowledge the Inuit in Northern Manitoba and that Manitoba is the homeland of the Red River M\u00e9tis. ACU uses its expertise and resources to foster self-reliant and sustainable communities, while taking care to consider the impact of business decisions on employees, members, the environment and the communities it serves. For more information, visit acu.ca<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vice President, Communications and French Language Service
Assiniboine Credit Union
204.583.4325
slaurencelle@acu.ca<\/strong>
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Communications Coordinator,
Universit\u00e9 de Saint-Boniface
204-237-1818, ext. 510
rbisson@ustboniface.ca<\/strong>
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