Official Languages committee  My approach is very similar. I try to encourage creativity as much as possible, to make history come alive in my classroom, to show students that history is very dynamic and that there are multiple perspectives. As I said earlier, I incorporate many personal experiences in my classes.

Official Languages committee  I was in an immersion program until grade 9. Then I was in the international baccalaureate program (IB), which was offered in English. So I was losing my French. Instead of going to the college, I want to the University of Winnipeg where I obtained my first degree. I would have liked to do my studies in French, but it wasn’t possible, because the courses were offered in English only.

Official Languages committee  I will quickly say that I did not participate in Katimavik, but some of my students did and they thought it was an absolutely incredible experience. They travelled across Canada and met various communities. They said the experience has changed them. As I said in my presentation, I feel that those programs are very, very important for our country, for bilingualism and for becoming more open.

Official Languages committee  We feel that the federal government has an important role to play in promoting bilingualism. We have two recommendations. First, the government should provide more funding for educational resources for immersion students and resources that support the teaching of Canadian history.

Official Languages committee  As with all teachers, my life experiences are part of what I bring to the classroom. The opportunities that I had, whether it be because of the federal government—often in a bilingual environment—or as a student and as a teacher, enabled me to grow professionally. At a conference at the Historica-Dominion Institute in Montreal, I talked about the past, present and future of our country with other teachers from across the regions.

Official Languages committee  Good afternoon. Mr. Chair, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. Bilingualism and federal jobs have transformed my life. At the age of six, I was enrolled in the long immersion program. In grade 10, I entered the international baccalaureate program, which, unfortunately, was offered in English only.