Evidence of meeting #19 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was school.
10:20 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
Thank you very much, Mr. Weston. You'll have more time later.
We'll continue with Mr. Godin to complete our second round.
10:20 a.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Andrea, earlier you said you were lucky to have a volunteer teacher—I believe it was Ms. Lanteigne who helped you. Could you give me some more details on that subject? Was that an existing program, or is this a matter of people who give their own time to help newcomers?
10:20 a.m.
Student, Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
It's not really a program; it's just a summer course, a partnership between the school and OCISO. After that summer course, the volunteer teacher really wanted to help me. It wasn't through school: it was she and I who, on a volunteer basis, studied French, grammar and so on.
So she has taken the time to help me, right up to the present. No one's paying her to do it.
10:20 a.m.
Teacher, Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
To put this context, I'd like to point out that OCISO is an Ottawa organization that takes in immigrants of all languages. Our school board was one of the first to promote a partnership with community organizations that take in immigrants. This organization has hired multicultural officers who speak the various languages of the students at our schools. It was through that officer that this was done. The families who arrive here have different needs and the profiles of our students have to be taken into account.
In Andrea's case, it was April or May. As she was at school during the day, we had to find her someone who could help her after classroom hours because she didn't want to miss any courses, which constitutes complete integration. We provide help based on the student's profile.
You asked whether it was done easily and automatically. No, it requires hours and hours of research; it's case by case. That's where we can't make it, despite our efforts. This isn't to praise our board, but it is very sensitive to needs. The problem lies in the quantity; we can't meet the demand.
10:20 a.m.
NDP
10:20 a.m.
Teacher, Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
They didn't have the same needs.
10:20 a.m.
NDP
10:20 a.m.
Student, Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
My sister, another girl who was Cuban and I all attended the summer courses.
10:20 a.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I "got", or rather I "have" another question—pardon me, I'm speaking Acadian. Acadia is a bit different; we have our own little words. We live in a little place there, at the other end, on the edge of the Bay of Chaleur.
What is your attachment to the francophonie? You live in a crazy world where everyone speaks English. It's virtual: iPods, iPads and all that. What's your attachment to French? You're young; you're going to start a family; you're definitely thinking about the future. Would you like your children to speak French and to maintain your French?
10:20 a.m.
Student, Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
Miguel Cédric Tchuemboum Kouam
I would, yes. The French language is very diversified. You can use it in a number of ways to say the same thing.
10:20 a.m.
Some voices
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June 1st, 2010 / 10:20 a.m.
Student, Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
Miguel Cédric Tchuemboum Kouam
That's what I like about the French language. When I go to the theatre, it's funnier in French than in English. I really like the French language, and I grew up with it.
10:20 a.m.
Some voices
Oh, oh!
10:20 a.m.
Student, Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
I want my children to speak French too. I love reading and I read a lot of books in French.
10:20 a.m.
Student, Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
I grew up in French, my parents speak French, so my children will definitely speak French. I find it easier to speak and read in French. I read in English, but I often have to deduce what the author is trying to say, whereas I understand immediately in French.
10:25 a.m.
NDP
Yvon Godin NDP Acadie—Bathurst, NB
I simply want to say thank you to you because this is somewhat our fear: we don't want to lose our French, and we don't want future generations to lose it. So, with you, it will continue.
Now I'm speaking to you as a parent. A number of adults who come here with families, like you, have previously carried on really incredible occupations. We often take a taxi and discover that the driver is a doctor, a lawyer or an engineer. I'm not saying that driving a taxi isn't a good occupation, but you need fewer qualifications to do it than to be a doctor or a specialist. Do you sense any openness on the government's part to recognizing your credentials, or is that taking a long time?
10:25 a.m.
Parent, Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
I don't really know whether there's any openness on the government's part. The government has a policy, but when we arrive here, it's not to do a deal with the government. We have to take care of everyday life: occupations, teaching, hospitals, health, banks, law firms, universities, etc.
10:25 a.m.
Parent, Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
We also know that, apart from the government, there are unions. There's the College of Nurses, the College of Physicians, the college of this and the college of that. Who isn't unionized? What isn't barricaded? At the same time, the fact is that the Hôpital Montfort, which is expanding, needs qualified nurses. We have some nurses who are qualified, and we have qualified physicians.
10:25 a.m.
Parent, Collège catholique Samuel-Genest
Absolutely. The first thing that scandalized me after I'd arrived in Canada was when I went to the Hôpital Montfort with a child who had a toothache, and the waiting line in emergency was eight hours long. Then I saw a poster stating that, if people felt ill, they should stay home. This was because of a fever. You should stay home. So when do you go to the hospital? When you go feet first?
10:25 a.m.
Some voices
Oh, oh!