Evidence of meeting #141 for Official Languages in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was university.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(3), we are continuing our study of the state of Canada's Francophonie.
It is my pleasure to welcome Dyane Adam, chair of the board of governors of the Université de l'Ontario français. Ms. Adam joins us by videoconference.
Welcome, Ms. Adam.
As I mentioned, a vote is scheduled for about 11:50 a.m. So we will have half an hour and then we will suspend the meeting in order to go and vote. You may start immediately, Ms. Adam, we are all ears.
Dyane Adam Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
First of all, thank you for inviting me again to appear before your committee.
I had anticipated that my presentation would be short. As we only have half an hour, I would like to leave more time for members of the committee to ask questions. I will try to shorten my presentation a little, which was intended to be short in any event.
A lot of water has gone under the bridge, in fact, since I last appeared in December. I would like to answer two questions today.
The first is: what is the situation with the Université de l’Ontario français, the UOF? Thanks to the support of the federal government and to funding granted last January for project development for the Carrefour francophone du savoir et de l’innovation, we have successfully done a number of things. I would like to point out some of them.
First, we have been able to maintain and enhance our team, continue our activities and start work on one of our major sites, specifically the Carrefour project, which is essentially the university’s permanent campus. We are re-examining our business model in the light of the current government priorities of the province of Ontario. We have started an ongoing conversation with the key players in all orders of government.
Following a request for qualifications, we have found a private-sector partner that is able and willing to participate in the real estate activities of the Carrefour. We have identified locations, properties of interest to the UOF in Toronto, that various orders of government have available. I will come back to that later.
Starting this summer, we are going to launch a summer school with the help of fifteen or so partners in the Carrefour. This will lay the groundwork for a common understanding and an implementation model for the knowledge that the Carrefour will prioritize. Remember that the Carrefour is not strictly a coming-together of francophone groups and institutions or of community groups. In the Carrefour, we are creating and implementing a unique, focused and cutting-edge model for pooling knowledge, practices, services and infrastructures so that we can make French-speaking Toronto and the surrounding region into a connected, unified, efficient and prosperous community.
Last week, we obtained the Canada Revenue Agency’s designation as a registered charitable organization. As a result, we are working to seek out to diversified funding; more specifically, we will be launching a fund-raising campaign in the coming months. Of course, we will be continuing our work with our many partners in bilingual and French-language education, in Ontario and elsewhere in the country, looking for their help as expert advisers or in research, training and learning. In addition, some universities are contributing directly to the Université’s training mission by lending us university staff, at no cost, for one year. This gives us time, as we work to get out of our current impasse. That is a sample of the advances we have made in recent months as we continue to get the UOF up and running.
The other question that I would like to discuss with you is about the positive measures that the federal government could take in the current situation to support the UOF and its many partners, in the light of Part VII of the Official Languages Act. Of course, Part VII takes its strength from the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, especially section 16, which seeks to advance French and English in Canadian society by granting them equality of status and equal rights and privileges in their use.
The first aspect is the Carrefour’s infrastructure. The federal government could find a property, or cooperate with other levels of government to find a property that would be suitable for housing the Carrefour. There are precedents for this. I could point out, for example, that the federal government contributed to the establishment of Royal Roads University in British Columbia, a public university supported by the province.
The federal government gave the university a long-term lease on converted military land for the price of one dollar per year. The federal government currently owns comparable properties in Toronto in which the UOF would be interested.
The federal government, of course, has other programs supporting research and innovation facilities in post-secondary institutions. There is the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, run by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. There is also the infrastructure projects component of the Development of Official Language Communities Program, run by Canadian Heritage. Also run by Canadian Heritage is the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, because the Carrefour has a strongly cultural dimension, including a theatre, the Groupe Média TFO, the university and Le LABO, all of which are organizations devoted to culture. Infrastructure Canada also has a social infrastructure component in its Investing in Canada Plan. That is one of the major levers that the federal government has through which to provide concrete support to the university and its many partners.
The second aspect is the fundraising campaign we are about to launch, as I mentioned. The government could provide matching funds up to a certain maximum. The federal government has often provided matching funds for various causes, including for refugees and for assistance after disasters. In the post-secondary field, there are also precedents such as the millennium scholarships, a federal program providing matching funds that was of great benefit to all post-secondary institutions at the time.
Funding and support for students could take the form of scholarships, or loans and scholarships. A number of them exist, targeting specific populations or those with specific needs. The same thing could be done for francophone students attending our institution. Our university is just getting underway; we therefore do not have the scholarship funds that a number of universities have been able to accumulate over decades. It is always a struggle for minority institutions that come on the scene much later; they have not had the advantage of the many government investments over decades and, in some cases, over centuries.
The third aspect is immigration. As a committee, you are well aware of this. It is a key factor by which official language minority communities develop and flourish. Ontario has set itself an objective of 5%. Since the end of August, the province has scarcely reached half of that target. It remains a challenge. For a minority community, immigration is essential. We need a highly qualified workforce to enrich us, to meet the needs for services, and, of course, to participate fully in the Canadian economy.
To reach our immigration targets, communities and governments must explore new ways of recruiting and retaining francophone immigrants in minority situations. We are discovering that foreign students are a major source of immigration. Statistics show that Ontario has about 60,000 foreign students and that 60% of them intend to apply for permanent resident status once their studies are complete. We can say with confidence that about 50% of foreign post-secondary students intend to settle permanently in Canada after their studies.
Given that Toronto is the country’s destination of choice for newcomers and for a number of foreign students of all languages, the UOF, a university located right in downtown Toronto, and its partners in the Carrefour could become a major driver for the recruitment of foreign students and, of course, for francophone immigration to Ontario and to the country.
We are becoming almost a living laboratory, experimenting with new ways of welcoming newcomers. The multi-service Centre francophone de Toronto already takes care of welcoming and integrating immigrants. They provide a whole host of services, including legal aid. By including the students that the university trains, they will help us to create a rich environment, a synergy, which, in our opinion, could make for a very interesting laboratory in which to experiment with matters of the recruitment and retention of francophone immigrants in Ontario.
I will stop there. I am ready to answer your questions.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you, Ms. Adam.
Given the number of people who want to speak, and with an eye on the clock, I would like to tell committee members that they will have four minutes each.
I will be quite strict about those four minutes. That also includes the time for the answer.
Let’s start with Mr. Clarke.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, Ms. Adam.
I am very pleased that you are here with us today. The last time we saw you was in December, in the middle of a storm, a political storm, not a winter one. We are finally coming out of the winter.
I see that you are still full of will and full of hope. It's more than hope, I feel: you have pointed out a huge number of very interesting solutions.
And yes, the fact that you are here today, still Chair of your board of governors, has been made possible by the two million dollars that the federal government has contributed, and that's great.
You said that you are having ongoing conversations with all levels of government, which includes the government of the province of Ontario, of course. I gather that the Université de l'Ontario français Act, 2017 has not been repealed, I gather.
I would like to know two things.
First, how do provincial authorities see the existence of the UOF?
Second, between December and today, what was your last correspondence with the Government of Ontario? Perhaps there was more. What is it about? Basically, what does it say?
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
The first correspondence goes back to the beginning of January. At that time, the provincial government confirmed that the act was not repealed, and that the university, and the board of governors, continue to exist.
We are a university, therefore, and we have all the legal powers normally granted to it under its charter. However, the provincial government told us that it is suspending the funding for the Université de l'Ontario français because of the province's financial situation. It did not specify for how long.
In recent months, we have had discussions with the office of the premier and the office of Minister Mulroney, who is responsible for this matter, as we look for ways to reduce the length of the suspension and to make it as short as possible.
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
We want to start the university in a way that will acknowledge the province's fiscal constraints.
Conservative
Alupa Clarke Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Okay, I understand. Thank you.
As for your need for a location, I have seen a document that was sent to me, either by you or by the committee analyst. It contained a table. The columns in that table correspond to the criteria that you are looking for in each location.
I notice that two federal properties seem to be quite good matches, up to about 53%.
To this point, have you had discussions with any officials of the Canada Lands Company about the Moss Park Armoury on Queen Street or the parking lot on Queens Quay West?
Have you started any discussions at all?
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
We are working closely with Canadian Heritage, which is facilitating discussions with different departments. During the process, we have discovered that each department is more or less responsible for the properties that belong to it. Some properties belong to the Department of National Defence and others to Canada Post. Dealing with departments on an individual basis can become tedious.
Two organizations are in charge of it all, the Canada Lands Company and Public Services and Procurement Canada. Nevertheless, we could end up working with one department in particular. We are in the process of doing that work.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you very much, Ms. Adam.
Thank you, Mr. Clarke.
Your turn, Ms. Fortier.
Liberal
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Good morning, Ms. Adam. Thank you very much for being here.
About two weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting with Florence Ngenzebuhoro at the Centre francophone de Toronto, among others. We talked about the university, of course. They all agree that we have to use the immigration route, but you said that, in order to do that, you need programs to receive foreign students.
Have you continued to design programs like that, despite this sort of hiatus? I know that you have submitted programs to the department. Where do things stand in that regard? You have to have programs in order to attract students. That is a very important step.
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
The programs have been designed and will be submitted to the Post-secondary Education Quality Assessment Board for approval. It takes that organization about a year to come to a decision about the quality of programs. Then the provincial government will have to decide on the funding for those programs. So that gives us a certain amount of time.
At the moment, we are working on other certificate programs, but not on the bachelors program. Bachelors programs have to follow the route that I have just described. In collaboration with a partner, the university is looking at the possibility of offering certificate courses in pedagogy for higher education, starting next September. Given that the agreement has not quite been concluded. I cannot announce it publicly. We are working with university partners to design those kinds of programs and keep our university moving forward.
Liberal
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Aside from the critical matter of financial resources, are there other advances that you have not yet told us about and that the federal government could support?
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
Are you talking about programs?
Liberal
Mona Fortier Liberal Ottawa—Vanier, ON
Yes, and I am also talking about space and location. You have to continue the process with the departments in that area, but I feel that there is progress in that area. Are there new items we should be aware of?
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
The board of governors wants the university to commence its activities as quickly as possible. That is the message that we are sending to all levels of government. We are also ready to play our role and assume our responsibilities. We recognize that the province of Ontario's financial situation is a problem and we are looking to find other, diversified, sources of funding.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Excuse me, Ms. Adam. I hear the bells calling us to a vote in the House. I have to interrupt you for a few moments to ask for the unanimous consent of committee members to continue the meeting for 20 minutes or so.
I see that we have unanimous consent.
You may continue, Ms. Adam.
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
I will finish my answer to Mrs. Fortier's question.
We have our priorities. We have to solve the funding question and come to an agreement with the Government of Ontario. We also want to obtain the support of the federal government. We believe that it is perfectly possible for the university to begin its activities.
The fundraising campaign is one of the ways in which you can support us. If the university meets its objectives and obtains matching funding, that will solve a lot of the problems. The province has clearly said that it is in favour of the project and the problem is actually to do with funding. That is what we are tackling at the moment.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you very much, Mrs. Fortier.
The floor now goes to François Choquette.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Ms. Adam, I will start with a comment. I just want to offer my congratulations to you, to your board of governors, to all your full-time employees and to all Franco-Ontarians. Faced with this obstacle, you have been kicking to the left and to the right. You have said that you will not stay down. You have met the challenge enthusiastically. I am very impressed. There is a lesson to be learned from your courage and determination.
I see that, in a way, a page of history is being written about the way in which the federal government, at the limit of its powers, can and must respond to language crises. This is a great example. The federal government has done what it is supposed to do, and my hat is off for that. It has allowed you to continue your work and you have well explained all the work you are doing. It is really impressive. As I understand it, if all goes well, you could even begin to receive students in September in a certificate program. Basically, that would be incredible.
The problem, however, comes from the provincial government side. You mentioned that in one of your answers. Could you tell me a little more about that? I know you are in a tricky position, but you say that you have had no communication with the provincial government since January. Is that correct?
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
Actually, there has been a lot of communication. You probably misunderstood me. I talked about written correspondence in January, but I am currently having constant conversations with the provincial government in order to find a way out of our financial impasse.
At this stage, I would say that having obtained financial support from the federal government has helped us. Back in December, everyone was quite emotional and reacting to the situation. After that, we had a quiet period. Everyone involved is much more calm and we can have more proactive conversations that are focused on solving the problems rather than simply reacting to them. Personally, that's really the approach I prefer.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
I completely understand that you have been looking to conciliation in order to find a long-term solution, but it would be good for the provincial government people to be sitting at the table as well. This is not the case at the moment. As I understand it, it is preferable to proceed in that way in the long term.
You brought up the matter of recruiting foreign students. Can you tell us more about that? What role can the federal government play to support you in this area? It can help the Université de l'Ontario français but also the Canadian Francophonie, given that we are trying to reach our targets and to maintain our percentage of francophone immigration to the country.
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
There is a very close link between recruiting foreign students who are francophone or bilingual, and immigration targets. For decades, we have not been meeting the targets. We have to find new ways of meeting them and making the best use of post-secondary institutions. In a way, that is the case I am making. Even at the end of our Université de l'Ontario français and Carrefour projects, we are going to still make that case to you.
Liberal