Official Languages Committee on Dec. 8th, 2011

[Élaine Michaud, NDP, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Thank you.

My question is specifically for the Société Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin.

I find the plan that you developed with the provincial government very interesting. Please tell us how this came about and the contents of the plan.

[Gabriel Arsenault]

It happened after the Société Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin made a request to the provincial government. The premier agreed to form a joint committee of community and government representatives. This group worked in parallel on the region's global development plan. Interestingly enough, by the end, the priorities of both groups resembled one another.

That is an overview of this committee that we called the joint working group.

[Aline Bouffard-Cohen]

Another feature of this is that for years the community worked to structure itself. Today, it is contributing to the province's development. The francophone community is finding its place on the island. It is developing in an English environment and, if I may say so, we want a strategy that will make us visible in that landscape.

We have a stake in the province's development. If we want to be fully connected with the province's development in all sectors, the role of the SSTA is to be involved with all the province's programs. That is why it is important to be connected with the government's programs, regardless of what they are. For example, the moment an education roundtable is created, it is extremely important that we be able to take part in it, whether it is an anglophone or francophone roundtable, and that we contribute to the province's development.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you.

Mr. Lauzon, you have the floor.

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would also like to thank the witnesses for being here this morning.

Mr. Arsenault, you mentioned some very interesting numbers. You said there are 30,000 people of francophone origin on Prince Edward Island. Approximately 5,600 people continue to speak French, representing approximately 4% of the population. However, there are also 10,000 to 12,000 francophiles, that is to say, people who have learned to speak French. There are therefore more than twice as many francophiles as there are francophones.

Is the situation approximately the same in Manitoba?

[Ibrahima Diallo]

There are approximately 50,000 francophones in Manitoba, but there are more than 100,000 people there who can speak French, some of whom are here this morning.

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

I have experienced assimilation. I heard the term "franciser" today, which applies to people like me who have been assimilated. However, I am trying to return to my francophone roots.

However, there are challenges. I represent the city of Cornwall, near Ottawa, where approximately 50% of the population is of francophone origin. Of this number, approximately half still speaks some French. Just as in your situation, the municipality has many francophiles, anglophones who have learned to speak French. There are more and more of them. In fact, there are twice as many francophiles as there are francophones.

However, there are problems. In Cornwall, we have a cultural centre. When there is an event showcasing francophone artists, even if it is an incredible show, we cannot manage to attract a crowd since francophiles do not have the same culture as francophones. We promote bilingualism in Cornwall, but not the francophonie. It is a situation that poses a significant challenge.

Do you have anything else to add?

[Ibrahima Diallo]

Yes, I have a few comments because this mixing of languages is part of our reality. Let me give you a few numbers. We know that 60% of 21-year-olds in Manitoba come from what we call exogamous marriages, that is to say, families where one parent is anglophone and the other francophone. We have made this dual heritage something to be celebrated, since the individual is exposed to both anglophone and francophone values.

In Manitoba, we have the Festival théâtre jeunesse, which is organized by francophone schools and immersion schools. This way, we give students from immersion programs the chance to participate in French theatre productions.

The other example I would like to present is the Festival du Voyageur, one of the largest winter festivals in North America. The programming draws not only francophones, but bilingual people and the entire community. When I see anglophones singing in French, I tell myself there is hope in this country.

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Do you have any solutions to propose for the challenges being faced currently by cultural centres? What can we do?

[Marie-Claude Doucet]

The problem that you raise touches mainly on audience development. We have to see what type of cultural entertainment people living in our community are interested in and what we can offer them. Also, there are several provincial groups, like the Alliance culturelle de l'Ontario and Réseau Ontario, that can provide support to cultural centres.

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

Pressure is coming from the English language because English is everywhere. One show per month for the francophone communities cannot compete with the English shows. It is a real challenge. Because of this, the Centre culturelle de Cornwall is having a lot of difficulties.

[Marie-Claude Doucet]

Provincial groups exist that can support cultural centres looking to attract new audiences and that want to find ways of reaching out to the community. There is Réseau Ontario, among others, that works to promote shows.

[Guy Lauzon, Conservative, Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry, ON]

I have a quick question for Mr. Arsenault.

Your association has a very interesting name. What is its origin?

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

It is the name of a Catholic philosopher.

[Aline Bouffard-Cohen]

Oh, no!

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

No? I apologize.

[Aline Cohen]

I would be pleased to tell you why the Société Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin is called that. It was created in 1919 by Prince Edward Island teachers to develop the education system. Saint Thomas of Aquinas is the patron saint of students.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Yes, but he was also a Catholic philosopher.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

I studied philosophy at the University of Toronto.

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

In French?

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

No, in English. so I know Saint Thomas of Aquinas.

Mr. Harris, you have the floor.

[Dan Harris, NDP, Scarborough Southwest, ON]

I want to thank everyone for being here today.

Questions were asked at the beginning of the meeting. You know that the government party has already suggested that the committee's work continue behind closed doors after this meeting. This is the reality of things these days. Each time there is a motion, a decision is made to discuss it in camera, regardless of the type of motion. We need to talk about things here and take the time to raise certain points.

Representatives of the FCCF, do you have member organizations in the territories?

[Marie-Claude Doucet]

The Association franco-yukonnaise, the AFY, and the Fédération franco-ténoise have a cultural component. They are two members of the FCCF.