Evidence of meeting #3 for Official Languages in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was students.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
We need to discuss the motion that has been tabled. It is therefore time to thank the witnesses from the Association canadienne française de l'Alberta, the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique, the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones and the Quebec Community Groups Network. I'd like to thank you and wish you a safe trip home.
Colleagues, we are going to suspend for two minutes while we say goodbye to our guests.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Ladies and gentlemen, we are back in session.
Mr. Généreux, I would ask that you present your motion, please.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Since you have all received my motion already, I will give you the background. Last week, I met with the director general of the Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup, who alerted me to a problem that affects not only the Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup, but all CEGEPs and French-language universities in Canada. They belong to the same association and this issue affects them. Some students, particularly those from African countries, are turned down almost systematically. That is not right. The refusal rate can be as high as 80% for students from certain countries. We need to address this serious issue.
As you know, students start CECEPs and universities in the fall, but it's a long process to gather everything they need to apply. I do not think we will have this issue resolved by the fall, but at the very least, we should look into it. We could have many witnesses here, by videoconference or in person, to talk to us about it. I am sure the Association of Canadian Colleges would have something to say about this.
Why is it that, when CEGEPs and universities welcome students from everywhere else but Africa, there is no problem? It's not just a question of the students' personal wealth. I am sure you know that they are asked to have $10,000 in a bank account and to prove that they will use those funds to return to their country.
What are the conditions? What evaluation grid do officials use to decide whether or not to grant study permits in Canada?
Next, why is there a rejection rate of up to 80% for young people from African countries who want to come and study in Quebec, but also in Canada—it has to be said, because in French-language universities... Furthermore, Mr. Arseneault, correct me if I am wrong, but we have heard comments on this in the past. I think Ms. Lecomte could attest to that.
You can propose amendments. I am very open to debate. In fact, I could share a CEGEP professor's arguments with you. This issue has been dragging on for a number of years, and apparently African students now feel discouraged when they apply, because they are almost always rejected.
So, what are the real reasons for this? It's important that we get an answer.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Liberal
Liberal
Terry Duguid Liberal Winnipeg South, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to Mr. Généreux for raising this important topic.
I have a large and growing African community. Many of them are francophones. I am very sensitive to the topic you are raising. I would just ask you to consider that we need a very thorough opportunity to discuss the motion, to see if there are any amendments we would like to make and give this motion the respect it deserves.
We have witnesses coming on Thursday. This is a very important topic, as we've seen today with the census. I wonder if we could defer this matter to the first Tuesday we are back after break week to have this as an important item on our agenda with a fulsome discussion. I'm sure you will find support.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Regardless of all our goodwill here in committee, I'm sure we will not be able to exert pressure or change things for this fall. The registration process is already under way right now. I am thinking more of next year or subsequent years. That's why I am very open to amendments, by the way.
In your riding, French speakers from Africa in a majority situation will often move to other French-speaking communities in Canada, and I am convinced they are facing this issue. Young Africans want to come here to study, precisely because these communities exist in Canada, but they cannot do so. We have actually heard that.
However, in Quebec, it is fundamentally wrong that the rejection rate is as high as 80% for students from some African countries. Why do we not want to welcome them? Is it a question of money? I need to know the real reasons. Surely there must be an evaluation grid on which public servants base their decisions.
One of the realities of CECEPs is that after a second or third application, all of a sudden students are accepted. It seems that age is one factor among others. In any case, some CEGEPs have reportedly been told that age is a factor. My mother went to university until she was 90. I don't know why anyone would get turned down at age 23 by a CEGEP or a university. It's completely ridiculous.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Thank you. I want to pick up the pace of the meeting, because we have more comments to come.
Mrs. Lalonde, the floor is yours.
Liberal
Marie-France Lalonde Liberal Orléans, ON
Mr. Généreux, I must tell you that I am delighted that you are making this motion. I would like to think about it and perhaps support it with some amendments.
There are a number of accents in Orleans too. Here in Ottawa, we have a college called La Cité. I believe that each of our communities derives huge benefits from international post-secondary students. Each institution benefits from them greatly, not only financially, but also culturally.
I believe that this is an important matter that the committee should look at. I have read the motion, but I would like to think about it a little more, if I may.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
We have a number of foreign students coming to our region. They've added immensely to our communities. I wonder if this is a question for our committee or for immigration, because I question whether this is a denial of service based on language or a question of the areas where immigration is going to pay closer attention to whether or not the students are able to meet certain criteria. I'm not presupposing this, but from the immigration work we do in our offices, we know it's easier from certain countries and not as easy from other countries.
That's the question. If rejections at CEGEP are higher than those in other regions, that may be a question within the province. However, I raise as an issue that these are questions that may be within the purview of the immigration committee to look at, because they look at these issues in terms of rights and how we are accessing....
We certainly are working very hard in our region to bring African francophone immigration to our region to build up the francophone community. We have a francophone college that does excellent work with it. I would ask people to consider whether this is for the immigration file.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
I feel it is important to look at this matter. I see it as a very good idea, really.
The media has pointed to economic reasons, but is that really the case? Is it meeting the needs of the CEGEPs and francophone universities, in Quebec or elsewhere?
Bloc
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
We could discuss it in depth, of course.
Mr. Godin, you have the floor.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Mr. Chair, I feel that the suggestion that my NDP colleague made is an interesting one, because, at first sight, it is an immigration problem. The unique feature in Quebec is that it runs its own immigration, with the French fact front and centre.
I feel that it is wise to consider which place would be more effective.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
So, as my Liberal colleague is whispering in my ear, I invite the subcommittee to look at the matter.
I agree that it should be looked at there. It's the best place.
Liberal
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
You are ahead of me. I feel that you raise a very important point.
It is assumed that there is language discrimination, but is that the real problem?
You are way ahead of me, as I was going to suggest discussing it at the subcommittee.
Liberal
Patricia Lattanzio Liberal Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC
So, there you go. It is a very interesting question.
Liberal