Official Languages committee  I want to make sure I understand the question. In francophone public schools, the door is open to all rights holders. In addition, students who are not rights holders but who speak French and whose parents are able to help them can be admitted. It is not a right, but they can be

Official Languages committee  We're talking about immigration, and where they're directed when they come into the country.

Official Languages committee  To my knowledge, there is no magic number.

Official Languages committee  I'm going to answer your question, and I'm not trying to be unkind. On one hand, it's due to a lack of understanding by the majority population, which can include bureaucrats. French-language schools are almost an afterthought. Provincial programming is based on English-language

Official Languages committee  Ten seconds left, Mr. Chair? All right. Next, there is the political dimension. We make up 5% of the population.

Official Languages committee  Toronto is a striking example. When I was young—a long time ago—Ontario's francophone community was concentrated in eastern and northern Ontario. It's estimated that, by 2025, the Toronto area will be home to more francophones than the Ottawa area. Bear in mind, however, that man

Official Languages committee  It's a useful example, yes. While the long-form census may be statistically appropriate to establish a national average, it reveals nothing about the situation in Kanata, Timmins or elsewhere.

Official Languages committee  That's the main difference between first language schools and immersion schools. In Ontario and other parts of the country, immersion schools teach French. In our schools, we teach in French, but the two approaches are completely different.

Official Languages committee  I'm going to answer the first question you asked Ms. Risbud, about still fighting the same fight after seven censuses. Fighting and persevering is part of our DNA as French Canadians.

Official Languages committee  We never give up.

Official Languages committee  We would like that.

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to begin by thanking you for hearing from us today on such an important issue. If I understood you correctly, Mr. Chair, this is the first time witnesses have appeared before the new committee. I congratulate you on your excellent choice.

Official Languages committee  My name is Denis Chartrand, and I am one of the three vice-presidents of the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones du Canada. I am joined by Valérie Morand, our executive director. Our federation represents more than 265 school trustees servicing the 28 French