Official Languages Committee on March 1st, 2018

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

First, does the province have a strategic plan for early education in French? More broadly speaking, what kind of relationship do you have with the province as regards early childhood?

[Albert Nolette]

Overall, our relationship is good right now, as evidenced by the announcement last June of a policy on the francophonie.

As to early childhood in particular, I will let Ms. Anderson answer.

[Gillian Anderson]

We have requested a number of daycare spaces. The funding we receive is for $25 daycare spaces, but we also need a daycare network that serves the whole of Alberta, and not just $25 spaces.

I am not sure if that answers your question.

At the FPFA, we are planning to establish a network of daycare centres that will serve the whole province, but that is our initiative. We are awaiting government funding to move forward with this.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

How long are the waiting lists for French-language daycare spaces?

[Gillian Anderson]

The waiting lists are very long. French-language daycare spaces are not available everywhere. There are spaces in Edmonton, but not necessarily outside Edmonton or Calgary. There are spaces in some smaller towns, but not everywhere. The needs are not well known in fact since some francophone parents do not know that French-language daycare spaces are available. If they are never offered that choice, their children will always attend English-language daycare centres. If spaces were available at French-language daycare centres, I'm sure they would be used, but there are none.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

I have a more general question.

In Alberta, is the francophone population concentrated in Edmonton or Calgary? Where is the highest concentration of francophones in Alberta?

[Albert Nolette]

There are francophones throughout the province. Of course there are more in Calgary and Edmonton, but there are pockets of francophones in the northeast, in the south, and in the Rockies. The francophone population is very spread out, but we are still a significant presence.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

That makes it more difficult to offer services. In Winnipeg, most of the francophones live in Saint-Boniface—Saint-Vital. That makes it easier for the French-language schools and daycare centres.

What is the average annual salary of an early childhood educator in your province?

Would you like to answer, Ms. Nolette?

[Dolorèse Nolette]

I was hoping that question was not for me.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Anyone who has that information can answer.

[Dolorèse Nolette]

Honestly, I don't know.

[Gillian Anderson]

According to the figures provided a week ago, I think the average hourly wage ranges from $17 to $22, depending on the educator's experience and education.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

I have 30 seconds left for a general question.

What is the main priority for French-language early childhood services in Alberta? Anyone can answer.

[Nathalie Lachance]

I would say it is offering services and access.

[Sarah Lessard]

We really have to reach francophones where they are. If we do not offer them the services, they will turn to the English-language system. They will not use our services in French. First, we need service points throughout Edmonton and Calgary, but also in the regions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Thank you very much, Mr. Vandal.

Ms. Boucher, it is your turn. You may start by introducing yourself.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

I will not take much time to introduce myself because I want to give you as much time as possible to answer.

My name is Sylvie Boucher and I am a Conservative MP from the greater Quebec City area, specifically Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d'Orléans—Charlevoix. I served as parliamentary secretary to the minister for the francophonie and official languages, and as parliamentary secretary for the status of women.

You said earlier that, in order for there to be accountability, the money must go directly to the organizations. That has been done in the past and it failed. I remember because the Conservatives were in power at the time.

Alberta has just signed an agreement, but the requests for French-language daycare spaces are lost in and among the requests for English-language daycare spaces. There is nothing structured for francophones here in Alberta. Is that correct?

[Gillian Anderson]

There is but we need more funding to offer services throughout the province. We have ideas but it is hard to put them into practice without money.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

Is the province favourable to your cause right now? There are federal transfers to the provinces, but it is up to the provinces to decide where that funding goes. Are the francophones of Alberta being heard? We were in Vancouver yesterday and heard that it depends on how things work. The francophones there are not recognized. Are the francophones of Alberta recognized as a minority?

[Albert Nolette]

I would say it varies and it depends on the field. In some fields, the relationship with the provincial government is excellent, but it is more difficult in other areas.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

In which areas is the relationship with the provincial government more difficult? We need to know in order to help you.

[Nathalie Lachance]

I would say they are favourable to the cause of education. Yet we are often told that the economy is tough and that it is not just the francophone community that has infrastructure needs to catch up on.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

Okay, that is clear. Thank you.

I will give Mr. Généreux the rest of my time.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Hello, Ms. Boucher.

I would like to pick up on your answer, without putting you on the spot.

We are talking about infrastructure for early childhood. As you know, there is a crisis in Vancouver owing to the cost of rent and infrastructure. Prices are so high that it is nearly impossible to get new spaces. Does the same apply in Alberta?

I imagine there is a difference between Calgary and Edmonton, in terms of access to public spaces in particular. Are costs an obstacle?

[Nathalie Lachance]

Costs are high in Alberta. Labour costs are very high because they are tied to the local economy, and salaries in the natural resources sector are very high.

As to the cost of rent, I don't think it is the same as in Vancouver. The situation in Vancouver is unique in Canada.