Official Languages committee  Yes, that's very important because 80% of the families that use our system are exogamous. That means that only one of the two parents speaks French. In a majority of those homes, the language spoken is English. I think we're talking about two different subjects. There's assistance to families and there are child care centres and junior kindergartens.

Official Languages committee  I'm going to say a few words, then I'll hand over to Marc. Since he's been with the association from its inception, he knows a lot more than I do about the subject. I believe that the federal government's role is mainly to set a direction by giving priority to the establishment of junior kindergartens, kindergartens or schools.

Official Languages committee  I'm going to ask Marc to answer that.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Chair, committee members, the Fédération des parents francophones de la Colombie-Britannique represents the parents of some 20,000 children who are entitled to French-language education in the province. It has been intervening in the matter of Francophone education for nearly 30 years.