Official Languages Committee on Dec. 5th, 2024

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

You're right.

Ms. L'Heureux, I'm going to give you a piece of information that I received at the annual meeting of the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones. I don't know if it's in Manitoba, but one school centre has decided to provide full-day early childhood services. This saves money because, transportation being what it is, it costs less to provide those services over full days. They use the same transportation to—

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mr. Godin. That's an excellent question, but we have far exceeded the six minutes. I'm sorry, but I have to make sure that everyone has a turn.

Mr. Samson, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Please make sure that I have the full six minutes and that my colleague doesn't take a few seconds of my speaking time.

Thank you, Ms. L'Heureux and my colleague from Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Clair.

Mr. Clair, you've been chair of the Provincial Francophone School Board of Newfoundland and Labrador for seven years. Thank you for the work you do. You discussed something that really grabbed my attention: consultation. The Standing Committee on Official Languages sent a questionnaire to all school boards and departments in Canada. It's one way for us to consult you directly so we can be sure we draft a report that highlights the needs that are expressed. Did you receive it? Do you intend to complete it soon?

[Michael Clair]

Yes, we received it, and we sat down this morning to complete it. You'll have it before the deadline.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

I'm very pleased to hear it.

Second, do you know that the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones has signed an agreement on a strategic plan with Canadian Heritage to ensure that the school boards' priorities are raised in talks with the provinces regarding funding for the official languages in education program?

[Michael Clair]

I'm aware of the agreement, but I didn't know it would have an impact on the ground here, in the province.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

All right. That means that the school boards and other stakeholders have some work to do.

Before asking Ms. L'Heureux any serious questions, I have a question for you. You said you had sued Canadian Heritage. That surprises me. Would you please explain that in a few words?

[Michael Clair]

Yes. We had asked Canadian Heritage to put pressure on the province, but without any success. Consequently, in 2017, we went to court to move things along.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Thanks very much because we'll have to think about that. I've never thought of that strategy, but it's very interesting and I thank you for it.

Ms. L'Heureux, I've travelled many times to Manitoba, where your school board plays a very important role. Early childhood education is extremely important. There's no question that it's the right response to the increasing francophone student population.

First, is there a strong connection between early childhood services and schools in Manitoba?

[Brigitte L'Heureux]

Yes, absolutely. As I said, we meet with each other. We have a coalition.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Thank you.

Are you mainly responsible for children 18 months to 4 years old, or are there 4- and 5‑year-olds too? Is it the Manitoba school board that handles children 4 to 5 years of age?

[Brigitte L'Heureux]

In Manitoba, the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine handles kindergarten, but there aren't any four-year-olds. There are children five years old and over.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Are the four-year-olds with you or at school?

[Brigitte L'Heureux]

The Division scolaire franco-manitobaine has five pilot projects that include junior kindergarten, but they aren't subsidized. The funding comes from our own budget. We handle the rest and children up to 12 years of age before and after school.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Thank you.

Bill C‑35, which our government passed, contains strong language concerning francophone day care centres. Do you find it useful?

[Brigitte L'Heureux]

Yes, absolutely. That is especially the case for the part that was added concerning the funding needed for francophones.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Thank you.

A few weeks ago, the Minister of Immigration described early childhood educators as a priority for immigration. Were you aware of that?

[Brigitte L'Heureux]

Yes, I'm aware of it.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

What do you think about that?

[Brigitte L'Heureux]

This is certainly an area where we need to do a lot of recruitment and retention. It can be damaging.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Are you pleased? Is this going to help?

[Brigitte L'Heureux]

I'm not pleased.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

You're not pleased because helping people to immigrate is now a priority?

[Brigitte L'Heureux]

No; pardon me, I thought you said something else.

[Darrell Samson, Liberal, Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS]

Right. I knew we had not understood each other.

So you are very pleased because now this is going to help us to address the shortage. That is very good because we just want to make sure they are listening, here.