Official Languages committee  There were 550,000 about 10 years ago, but two things happened. First, immigration played a role, but in addition, Ontario adopted what may be a unique approach: the province adopted an inclusive definition of the francophonie. While keeping in mind section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which concerns the right to schooling in the language of the minority, imagine the case of a francophone immigrant.

Official Languages committee  Certainly.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  There are two things. What is beneficial is that local organizations in different parts of the province were provided with operating funds and project funds. Those contributions allowed us among other things to consult the francophone population of Ontario. We formed many partnerships with the federal government last year, when we celebrated 400 years of francophone presence in Ontario.

Official Languages committee  No, the organizations are quite familiar with the roadmap. Over the past 10 years, the various roadmap community programs were frozen, which meant that we lost ground. If there is an intention to renew program funding in the new roadmap, that should be done. I will try to tell you from memory what happened in Ontario; Mr.

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. It is a real pleasure and privilege to appear before you this morning to share the point of view of the Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario. This unifying organization speaks for more than 611,500 Ontario francophones. It is on their behalf that we are speaking this morning.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Weston, I would tend to refer the question back to you and to ask you what our national government can do to promote the acquisition of the second language. The onus is not just on the community. Our government must make this its national value. As stated in the Roadmap, this is a cornerstone of our national identity.

Official Languages committee  In the same perspective, with regard to the francophonie, Radio-Canada is essential to our identity. I will even go further. Radio-Canada and the CBC are another aspect of our national identity. Take away Radio-Canada and the CBC, and you Americanize us overnight.

Official Languages committee  We have no formal ties. There have been a few conversations since I've been president, but we haven't yet developed any operational ties. Just to answer you—

Official Languages committee  We've also had conversations with them, but there's no firmly established protocol. However, with regard to the University of Ottawa, we've celebrated the fifth anniversary of a series of programs designed to get closer to the immersion world and to make it possible to offer programs in French at the University of Ottawa that can benefit both francophones and francophiles.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  I would like to add that, for the Assemblée de la francophonie, there is a protocol that we call "the circle of collaboration with Heritage". On behalf of our members and all sectors in the province, we occasionally sit down to define major needs. Our community's strategic plan will be the cornerstone of that conversation in order to orchestrate programs and to ensure that all our members and all sectors have a clear idea where to knock for development projects.

Official Languages committee  For the Assemblée, this is an area where we've considered action to expand the francophonie. The downside is that there is a risk of falling into what we call watered-down bilingualism. Where the minority is involved, we have to protect the francophone community in a very controlled manner.

Official Languages committee  They say that our Franco-Ontarians leave the province to go elsewhere. On the one hand, that's unfortunate for us. On the other hand, it shows that the system and life in French are good. Our citizens can go and work internationally. We don't necessarily need to retain them. Instead we should ensure we continue to cultivate this dynamism.

Official Languages committee  In education, even with the contributions from the OLEPs in Ontario, there are still deficiencies in access to primary and secondary schools, for example. There are still certain issues regarding access to postsecondary education. In postsecondary education, more partnerships should be established so that we can receive federal funding.