Official Languages committee  I can answer that. The federal government already provides funding through a revitalization program, involving Canada-Manitoba agreements that are really aimed at facilitating access to cultural and linguistic enrichment activities. There are grants for these activities, but they obviously cover only part of the cost.

Official Languages committee  This is a cause that's close to my heart because a lot of people immigrate to Manitoba, like everywhere else in Canada, and many of these newcomers choose French immersion for their children, because they believe in it. Since Canada is a bilingual country, they believe their children are going to learn both official languages.

Official Languages committee  I meant programs where students could be with their friends. I'm very glad you asked that question, because it touches on the notion of bilingual identity. In Canada, and in my home province of Manitoba, francophones or non-francophones, however you want to call them, all have this same complex.

Official Languages committee  In 23 school divisions, all students who are interested in French immersion programs can register for them. We have the spaces we need. Some divisions do not offer French immersion, but 23 of the 37 school divisions do. The real figure is that 13% of all students are registered in the program.

Official Languages committee  In Manitoba, we use the term “school division”. All Manitoba school divisions offer French classes. Normally, they are compulsory from grade four to grade eight. They are always optional at the secondary level. Some school divisions offer French classes from kindergarten to grade three.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  The concept of French as a second language is what was previously called basic French. It's part of the English program in Manitoba. Normally, students have 30 to 45 minutes of French classes per day, and in high school, 110 hours of French classes. It's only a language course, while in immersion, all school subjects are taught in French.

Official Languages committee  In Manitoba, the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine has French as a first language. Instead of having a 50-50 program for francophones, rights holders pursue a French program and they have the choice of being in a French immersion program. It’s really two French-as-a-second-language systems, the basic French program and the immersion program.

Official Languages committee  I have only one suggestion: to give students more opportunities to live in French, to create federal programs that would allow students to have opportunities—not just in high school, but from kindergarten to grade 12—to live in French with native speakers. That means they would have a francophone friend somewhere, a personal connection with the language.

Official Languages committee  Good morning, everyone. I am very happy to be here today. I could tell you about my personal background, but I would rather talk to you about the Manitoba context and the work I do at Manitoba Education and Training. I learned French through core French classes, as others here have done.