Official Languages Committee on Feb. 7th, 2011

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

The people representing the school, who have experience, can answer that question.

[André Bourcier]

Mr. Godin, the plan prepared by former Minister Dryden was major. When it disappeared, it was a big disappointment, because what was laid out in that plan was very beneficial to small communities like our own. It's up to politicians to decide whether it would be better than giving parents $100.

As a Franco-Yukoner, I can tell you that, under that plan, there were items that would have been very beneficial for early childhood education in small communities such as our own.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Does the Centre de la francophonie in Dawson apply to the federal government to secure funding for projects or anything else—for example, in November or December?

[Julie Leclerc]

At the Centre de la francophonie, it's a group of volunteers that is in charge of that. Just to give you an idea, in my community, there are about 1,400 of us. There are 78 non-profit organizations in my village. The majority of people wear five different hats.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Do you apply to the federal government for funding?

[Julie Leclerc]

In answer to your question, I should say that we are getting used to managing the organization, which is new in our village. We haven't yet submitted an application, but that will have to happen because we cannot do that work as simple volunteers. It's too much to handle. We need someone who can fulfill those needs and organize that kind of thing. For the time being, it's difficult for us to make a 360-degree turn in order to cover all the bases. We have no one who can take responsibility for all of that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you very much. We'll come back to that.

Mr. Galipeau, please.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Ms. St-Gelais, do you know Marie-Dimanche Gagné? Please tell her that, of everyone in the newspaper, she has the most beautiful smile.

[Isabelle St-Gelais]

Thank you, that's nice of you to say that.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Today we have been hearing your demands and learning a lot, but I would like to take this opportunity to get to know a little more about you.

Marie-Ève, where did you go to high school?

[Marie-Ève Owen, Member, Centre de la Francophonie à Dawson]

I am from Quebec. I went to high school in Rosemère, as well as in Estrie.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

And you, Julie?

[Julie Leclerc]

I am a Montrealer. I studied at the convent and at Saint-Lambert Secondary School.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

And you, Martin?

[Martin Guilbeault]

I am a Franco-Ontarian. I studied in Sudbury.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Where did you go to high school?

[Martin Guilbeault]

I went to Rayside-Balfour High School, which no longer exists, I believe.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

And what about the lovely lady from L'Aurore boréale?

[Isabelle St-Gelais]

Thank you. My name is Isabelle St-Gelais and I went to Mont-de-La-Salle school, in Laval.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

And you, Ms. Taillefer?

[Lorraine Taillefer]

I went to a private school, Saint-Jacques de Montcalm for two years and then spent two years at the Deux-Montagnes Composite School.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Mr. Bourcier?

[André Bourcier]

I completed my secondary studies at the Saint-François Seminary, in Cap-Rouge.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

There is a street by the name of Bourcier in Orleans.

[André Bourcier]

That's quite possible.