Since 1994.
Evidence of meeting #31 for Official Languages in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was francophone.
Evidence of meeting #31 for Official Languages in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was francophone.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Raymond Simard Liberal Saint Boniface, MB
Since 1994. This means that you got yours before or at the same time we did.
Are enrolments going up in French schools? I cannot talk about migration because it may not be accurate but did enrolment increase before migration?
9:45 a.m.
General Director, Réseau santé albertain
Enrolments have always increased by about 8 to 10% per year.
9:45 a.m.
Dean, St-Jean Campus, University of Alberta
The two provinces where immersion is increasing the fastest are British Columbia and Alberta.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Raymond Simard Liberal Saint Boniface, MB
Is this because legislation in these provinces requires children to learn a second language? Has this had an impact?
9:45 a.m.
Dean, St-Jean Campus, University of Alberta
The regulations were postponed. Although they officially exist, they have never come into force.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Raymond Simard Liberal Saint Boniface, MB
You mentioned a francophone community college. I didn't think there were many in Canada. I think this is an excellent idea.
Would French be the language of work and of instruction?
9:45 a.m.
Dean, St-Jean Campus, University of Alberta
French would be the language of work and of instruction. To some extent it is based on the technical and professional school at the Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface. However, in our case, this college will be a part of the University of Alberta. We had to go through the province to change our mandate. The province had to change its legislation so we could do this. This is being done: it will be in place within the next few months.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Raymond Simard Liberal Saint Boniface, MB
This is an interesting concept.
Mr. Johnson, you talked about agreements between Canada and the communities. Usually, these agreements bring together representatives of Canadian Heritage and the community. A committee is formed, priorities are identified and obviously the funds are distributed in accordance with those priorities.
Did you say that these agreements no longer existed?
9:45 a.m.
President, French Canadian Association of Alberta
The community created a round table to make proposals to Canadian Heritage's regional office. This is where decisions about the ultimate allocation of funding is made. Last year was the first time. We are working to improve the communication process.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Raymond Simard Liberal Saint Boniface, MB
The community is not at the table where the decisions are made.
9:45 a.m.
President, French Canadian Association of Alberta
No. We make a proposal to Canadian Heritage, and its officers make the decisions.
I know that there are concerns and I am trying to be politically correct. There is truth and there is reality. In fact, we are working hard with the structures currently in place, but we would like to change the model. When we talk about positive measures, we're talking about respect for the communities' decisions and priorities without having them questioned. Last year we made some very difficult decisions.
9:45 a.m.
Conservative
Pierre Lemieux Conservative Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON
I want to take a few moments to talk to you about the nation. We have to put all this into context. First, Mr. Ignatieff proposed the idea, and the Bloc wanted to use the problem to pave the way for separation. So, our government had to respond to this motion by playing a leadership role. The motion was worded that way because it was a response.
I want to assure you that we have not forgotten you and that Minister Verner is there for you and for Franco-Ontarians who live in my riding. There are francophone, Franco-Ontarian members who are taking care of your needs and those of francophones across Canada. You are here, and we are there to support you. This is the first time in 25 or 26 years that we have travelled across Canada. I hope that it is clear to you that we are here for you and for all other francophones, because this is one of our priorities.
December 5th, 2006 / 9:50 a.m.
President, French Canadian Association of Alberta
First, I was not trying to be aggressive, but rather to say that we recognize the special status of Quebeckers. Then, we would like to obtain the same official recognition. I would like Mr. Harper to say this. When he talks about the Canadian Francophonie, I would like him to also talk about minority communities.
9:50 a.m.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP Yvon Godin
I want to talk about this issue, since it has already been mentioned. As a Canadian francophone, I never like saying that I am a francophone outside Quebec: I am a French Canadian and an Acadian who celebrated, two years ago, the 400th anniversary of Acadia. We know where the Acadians stand. Since Quebec will celebrate its 400th anniversary in two years, this means that we were here first. Good! We are in agreement, and it's clear.
9:50 a.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
9:50 a.m.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP Yvon Godin
It's not complicated: it started in the East and moved west. We all agree on that.
Mr. Lemieux also mentioned that the Standing Committee on Official Languages has been around for 25 years and never before travelled. This was one of the reasons for our trip: we wanted to meet with people in their communities so that they felt at home, in their municipality, to talk about their problems. When we invite you to come to Ottawa, to Parliament, you wonder who we are. We wanted to come to you to meet with local organizations at the same time. This is what we will be doing this afternoon, and it will be very interesting.
There is another topic I want to mention that concerns me. Mr. Johnson raised it. Two aspects were also mentioned and have not been addressed to any great extent. They were mentioned in Mr. Murphy's question on court challenges.
Mr. Lemieux told you not to worry, because they support you, they are here, they recognize the overall issue.
In fact, Quebec has been recognized as a nation. And perhaps, one day, Yvon Godin will introduce a motion in the House of Commons asking that Acadians or francophones in Canada be recognized as a nation; you never know.
Nevertheless, there is concern, although they are telling you not to worry because they support you. In fact, Quebec, with its population of six million, is better able to defend itself than we francophones outside Quebec are. This is a term that I don't like using, but we are francophones outside Quebec in Canada.
In fact Quebec has a bigger population. That said, we are concerned about losing the Court Challenges Program, thanks to which the Montfort Hospital and French schools in British Columbia were able to win their cases. You said it earlier. The same thing happened. Often, it's a matter of making the province recognize our rights. This is what it is about. We have been able to do this thanks to the Court Challenges Program.
They are telling you that they support you, but they are taking this tool away from you. This is hard. Where is the support? I also remember that the current government, when it was in the opposition, had said that we could copy the Belgian system: Quebec would take care of the francophones, and the federal government would take care of the rest of Canada. Those words are cause for concern. These are their words. We could refer to the archives and make them public. Now, this concerns me.
I would like to have your opinion on this.
9:50 a.m.
President, French Canadian Association of Alberta
With regard to the survival of the francophone community, we really see ourselves as an asset. We are see ourselves as something special that reinforces the fabric of Canadian citizenship. We do not see ourselves as a minority community, but rather as a community that happens to be a minority.
Our francophone community in Alberta is spreading its wings. No matter where you go, to the shopping centre, downtown, you hear people talking French. Fifteen years ago, people spoke French in whispers. Today, Albertan society has a different mindset. Canadians have changed the way they think. Instead of obstructing this improvement, it should be encouraged and promoted.