Evidence of meeting #95 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was young.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:45 a.m.
Research Associate and Advisor, Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network
What we do is steer the discussion back to funding of the research ecosystem on minority language communities.
For one thing, there are 37 francophone research centres and one anglophone research centre. We focused our brief today on that.
9:45 a.m.
Research Associate and Advisor, Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network
I can't speak to the funding for all universities.
9:45 a.m.
Research Associate and Advisor, Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network
You would have to invite the university presidents if you want to discuss this issue.
9:45 a.m.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
I understand, but you represent a research network on these communities.
In one of your briefs, you said that English-language universities received less public funding in the 1960s due to political tensions. However, that's simply not true.
It's a bit like what Dr. O'Donnell said earlier. There's a victimization stance claiming that anglophones are poorer and so on. However, you use indicators, among them the median, that include a large proportion of newcomers to Quebec. That brings down the average.
When indicators reflecting the history of the anglophone minority are used, you're still at the very top of the heap. English-language universities still have much more money coming in than French-language universities.
9:45 a.m.
Research Associate and Advisor, Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network
I see what indicators you're using. You're referring to a study by Frédéric Lacroix that talks about university funding relative to the demographic weight of the minority. That study has been strongly criticized by researchers like Jean-Pierre Corbeil for making a false equivalency. At universities like McGill, 20% or 30% of students are from the anglophone minority and 70% are francophones.
9:45 a.m.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
That's why they say that it's very instrumental in anglicizing francophones and newcomers to Quebec. It's the same thing for CEGEPs.
9:45 a.m.
Research Associate and Advisor, Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network
There's no evidence that it serves to anglicize francophones.
9:45 a.m.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Yes, studies show that if people study in English at CEGEP or university, they are much more likely to work in English, and more of them will transfer to using English as their primary language.
You talk about weakened language vitality among anglophones. Language transfers to English are four to five times higher than the demographic weight of anglophones would warrant. Don't you think that's high enough?
9:45 a.m.
Research Associate and Advisor, Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network
In the 1960s, 30% of anglophones were bilingual. Today, it's 70%, and for young people, it's nearly 80%. It's a community—
9:45 a.m.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
In Montreal, young francophones are more bilingual than young anglophones.
You're going to look for other data. You often talk about your affiliation with the QCGN, the Quebec Community Groups Network, which makes a lot of statements suggesting that defending French is racist. I would remind you that its former president, Ms. Jennings, compared Quebec's Bill 96 to measures the Russians took in Ukraine, among other things. Do you agree with that kind of statement?
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
One moment, Mr. Beaulieu: Let's stick to the study. You're asking a witness to comment on hearsay.
9:45 a.m.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
We'll go back to funding. That's okay, I have other questions.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, please let my colleagues ask their questions about what they want to. I think that they're able to connect the questions to the study. Earlier in the meeting this morning, I noticed that other colleagues went beyond the subject of the study. I would like you to give my colleagues the freedom to speak as they wish.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
By the way, Mr. Beaulieu, I've stopped the clock. You're at four minutes and 54 seconds.
Mr. Godin, thank you for your comment. I know which question you were referring to. We were talking about the education continuum. That said, Mr. Beaulieu was asking a witness what he thinks about a study of federal funding for post‑secondary institutions by referring to statements made by someone else.
9:45 a.m.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
This witness constantly refers to the QCGN, Mr. Chair. So I have the right to ask about whether he agrees with the QCGN's philosophy. You may not like it, but....
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
I come from New Brunswick, and that perspective on post‑secondary education doesn't affect me at all.
Let's stick to the study and what the witnesses may say without asking them to comment on hearsay or to lend a...
9:45 a.m.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
This isn't hearsay. I'm asking them if they agree with a statement.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Then go ahead. I may have misunderstood your question.
I'll start the clock again.
9:50 a.m.
Senior Research Associate and Advisor, Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network
I would like to make a comment. We're very proud of the fact that we work with several community groups, including the QCGN, to understand our community's priorities. That said, we're independent of the QCGN and any other community group.