I was in an immersion program until grade 9. Then I was in the international baccalaureate program (IB), which was offered in English. So I was losing my French.
Instead of going to the college, I want to the University of Winnipeg where I obtained my first degree. I would have liked to do my studies in French, but it wasn’t possible, because the courses were offered in English only. I went outside the province to study history.
In terms of recommendation for the provincial and federal governments, I would recommend implementing more immersion programs at the post-secondary level in universities where it is possible. I know this is possible at the University of Ottawa. I think law students at McGill University also have this opportunity. That is what I would have done. As I said in my speech, it is thanks to the national program offered at Lower Fort Garry that I speak French today.
An anglophone from Winnipeg, who is not familiar with the francophone community and who only studies in English at the University of Winnipeg, will not have an opportunity to speak French. The student could enrol in courses provided by the Alliance Française or other courses like that, but that takes a lot of self-motivation.
As I said, Lower Fort Garry was my door to speaking French again.