Official Languages committee  There may be several different ways of explaining it. There has not been a specific analysis, but to begin to answer your question, 66% of those who were given the choice of responding in French or in English chose to do so in English. One might have expected, given that the people were francophone, that they would have answered the questions in French, but some of them felt more at ease in English.

Official Languages committee  Early childhood begins before school, even before primary school. This phase is not part of the formal education structure. It is informal. That is where there is room for the federal government, in partnership, if you will, with the provinces and agencies like ours, to develop programs.

Official Languages committee  At the federation, we can give you an example of two publications that were delivered by Canada Post under this program. We published approximately 300,000 bookmarks as a way of encouraging people to read. This year, for example, the message included an invitation to parents to read to their children to stimulate their interest in the French language, and encourage them to speak French at home.

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for your invitation to come and speak about the vitality of official language minority communities. The Fédération canadienne pour l'alphabétisation en français believes that literacy is the glue that holds all the parts of a community together.