Evidence of meeting #38 for Official Languages in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was federal.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
I believe that an adjustment is needed. I'm very familiar with the formula that was used in Ontario. There were additional costs required for the French program offerings, ranging from translation expenses to the provision of parallel services like cultural events. They were not all classroom related, as Ms. Vinet-Roy was saying earlier.
It's a rather sophisticated formula.
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
It was certainly detailed. Today, it's just an amount of money, with everything in the same basket. There is no longer any analysis. It's truly obsolete and we need to come up with a new methodology.
The ACUFC is very interested in this because it's conducting research in French, and putting out publications in French. There are some libraries that need to be maintained in French. There are several aspects to doing that. The French factor generates all kinds of costs. Everything is more expensive in French in terms of content when we are in a minority setting.
Exhaustive studies are therefore needed. I think that the federal government should commission this study, and it could even be conducted jointly with the Association. After that, discussions about funding could begin.
NDP
Alexandre Boulerice NDP Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC
There's one minute left, Ms. Adam.
Congratulations on the progress made with the Université de l'Ontario français over the past three years. We're very proud of it and we wish you good luck for the future. We will try to help you as much as possible.
I have one final question. Things are not going well at Laurentian University. There may be a rescue operation at the University of Sudbury, but nothing is certain yet.
What will be the repercussions for francophone Ontario and post-secondary education if there is progress in your region, but a decline in other northern regions of the province?
I have the impression that we're getting contradictory messages.
Chair, Board of Governors, Université de l'Ontario français
In my view, it's a seismic shock not only at the provincial level but country-wide. This is the first time it's happened and I think that the universities, whether anglophone or francophone, are trying to figure out what it means. I've heard it said that there were some universities at the moment that were feeling vulnerable.
A lot of questions are being raised. We're in a knowledge economy. We need to ask whether universities are being funded at a high enough level to fulfil their role in society. We also need to ask just how much the federal government needs to get involved, particularly in terms of official language minority communities.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Emmanuel Dubourg
Thank you, Ms. Adam.
Thank you, Mr. Boulerice.
The round of questions is over.
On behalf of the members of the committee, I'd like to thank the witnesses for having accepted our invitation to appear before the committee. Their contribution to the study's impact is extremely important to us.
Today we heard from Ms. Anne Vinet-Roy of the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens, and Ms. Dyane Adam and Mr. Denis Berthiaume of the Université de l'Ontario français, respectively Chair of the Board of Governors and Vice-President Academic and Research.
I'd like to remind the members of the committee that next Thursday will be our final meeting for this study. The six witnesses have already confirmed their participation.
I'd also like to thank the committee members for their customary cooperation.
I'd also like to thank the technical team, the clerk and the analysts.
The meeting is adjourned.