Evidence of meeting #36 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was anderson.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Daniel-Robert Gooch  President and Chief Executive Officer, Association of Canadian Port Authorities
Gillian Anderson  President, Commission nationale des parents francophones
Jean-Luc Racine  Executive Director, Commission nationale des parents francophones

11:55 a.m.

NDP

Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

Thank you so much, Chair.

Going back to Ms. Anderson, you spoke about early childhood centres. We've also heard, as I indicated, witness after witness from francophone communities across the country who have relayed the same concerns as yours in terms of the need for better access to French schools run by and for francophone communities and people, and new Canadians included, who would like to have an education in French but can't get it. I am a Manitoban, and I know this is the reality.

What do you think we need to do to get to a point where everyone who would like to have their education in French would be able to get it?

11:55 a.m.

President, Commission nationale des parents francophones

Gillian Anderson

I think all schools should be on the same footing.

It’s interesting, because I’ve lived my entire life in Alberta, and my parents both live in Manitoba. So I find this compelling.

I have children in high school and one in university. I see them choosing programs in English-language schools because they are better funded, given that the anglophone majority attends them.

If we don’t have the funding needed to offer a basic education in French that is at least the equivalent of what anglophones get in their language, we can’t compete with English-language schools. That’s why it’s important to subsidize different programs and services in French: to ensure our young people stay in francophone schools, rather than going to anglophone schools.

Maybe that would help Mr. Gooch recruit francophone workers into his organization. The more francophones graduate, the more workers there will be that speak both official languages in Canada.

11:55 a.m.

NDP

Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB

Just building on that, I know that in Manitoba the amount of funding that a school receives is based on the number of students provincially.

Do you think there need to be changes in terms of funding so that we can accommodate and support francophone schools?

11:55 a.m.

President, Commission nationale des parents francophones

Gillian Anderson

Absolutely, without a doubt. This has always been the case, and I think it will remain so.

It’s not fair to fund French-language schools on the same level as English-language schools. When there is a smaller number of francophone students, more resources are required to create the same type of programs in French.

11:55 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal René Arseneault

Thank you, Ms. Anderson.

I know that I have been strict with speaking time, but it allows all members of the committee to ask their questions. Members are used to it.

Ms. Anderson, Mr. Racine and Mr. Gooch, if you want to send any additional information to the committee, such as information that you may not have had time to provide to us because the chair rushed you a little, don’t hesitate to send it in writing as soon as possible to our clerk, who will send it to all the members of the committee. I sincerely thank you for being here.

The meeting is suspended.

[Proceedings continue in camera]