Evidence of meeting #44 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 dawson.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
There is one minute left, but you will have a chance to ask questions during the next round.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Steven Blaney
You will have a chance the next time.
Thank you very much, Mr. Galipeau.
We will now begin our second round, which will be five minutes. I would like to remind our witnesses that we are still suffering the effects of jet lag and that time seems to be catching up with us. We will try to keep it altogether, but I ask for your indulgence.
Mr. Bélanger, please.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to ask a series of questions and gather some facts, simply to complete the picture we are attempting to put together today.
My question is addressed to Ms. St-Gelais or Mr. Guilbeault. With respect to the day care centres, how many names are there on your waiting lists?
Director, Garderie du petit cheval blanc, Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon
At this point, I believe there are about ten.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
What is the highest number of names that you have ever had?
Director, Garderie du petit cheval blanc, Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon
In the past, I couldn't say. However, I want to tell you something that I neglected to mention earlier. There are a lot of exogamous families and when we refuse to take their children, they immediately turn to the Anglophone community. We manage the only French-language day care centre in town, with the exception of a family day care. Once we run out of spots, families are not prepared to wait and immediately turn to an Anglophone day care.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
That was my next question. Do the Anglophone day cares also have waiting lists? You say there aren't any.
Executive Director, Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon
There are several Francophone day cares--
Executive Director, Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon
Pardon me; I meant to say there are several Anglophone day cares.
Executive Director, Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon
They are both.
Liberal
Director, Garderie du petit cheval blanc, Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon
Some are, but it doesn't work the same way as in Quebec. Some do receive subsidies, yes. That is our case.
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Let's talk about Dawson now. These questions are addressed to Ms. Leclerc or Ms. Owen. What is the size of the French-speaking population?
Board Member, Centre de la Francophonie à Dawson
About 1,380—very close to 1,400.
Board Member, Centre de la Francophonie à Dawson
In my opinion, Statistics Canada is not producing accurate figures. The centre has about 125 people on its list, which represents almost 10% of the population.
Liberal
Board Member, Centre de la Francophonie à Dawson
There is a…
I will let the education expert answer that question.
Member, Centre de la Francophonie à Dawson
I was hired by the Ministry of Education three years ago to develop an enriched French program at the only school in Dawson, which provides both primary and secondary level education.
Member, Centre de la Francophonie à Dawson
It is an Anglophone school, but Francophone parents have been fighting for five years for an enriched program for their children. So, I developed an enriched program specifically for them. The first year, it was supported by the French-language school board, as it was in the second year as well. However, in the second year, we secured significant resources for our class, an attractive schedule and enough administrative support to allow for a major increase in the number of students. We began with seven students and ended up with 24. We had to start a waiting list. Then we were asked to cut back the program--
Liberal
Mauril Bélanger Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
So, when the Yukon French Language School Board has full control over budgets and everything else, will you have your school?
