February 7th, 2012

Vancouver, BC — A delegation from Canadian Parents for French (CPF) - BC & Yukon Branch appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Official Languages Monday to propose bold ideas to strengthen the presence and vitality of Canada’s second Official Language in BC & the Yukon.  

Among topics discussed was the need for additional Federal investments in French Second Language education, a more inclusive Federal policy favouring linguistic space, and a broader definition of Francophone to include Francophiles. Furthermore, CPF proposed a conversation between Ottawa and the Council of Ministers of Education Canada regarding the creation of a single French language program for Francophone and Francophone youth in order to support French education - particularly in small communities where both Francophone and French Immersion programs are not separately viable.

“We’re at a point in linguistic development where there are second and third generation French immersion graduates and families in BC & the Yukon. The presence and vitality of French language, culture, education, and services would be strengthened if the definition of Francophone would be broadened to include the 7% of British Columbians who speak and or who have embraced the French language and culture,”[i] said Glyn Lewis, Executive Director of Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon Branch.

“Our objective with the Senate sub-committee was to present ideas which we hope will initiate a national discussion about ways to help strengthen the reality and the vitality of Canada’s two Official Languages in communities large and small from coast, to coast, to coast,” concluded Lewis.

There are currently over 275,000 students enrolled in French Second Language programs in British Columbia. The French immersion program in particular is currently experiencing its fourteenth consecutive year of enrolment growth, accounting for 7.7% of the province’s entire student population.

Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is a national network of parent volunteers who work to promote and ensure quality and equitable access to French second language educational and cultural opportunities for all youth. The CPF-BC & Yukon branch is by far the largest in Canada with over 8,100 members.

You can view the senate meeting here.

For more information, please contact:

Glyn Lewis, Executive Director

Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon Branch

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it – 778-329-9115 (ext. 316)

www.cpf.bc.ca

Attachments:

CPF Senate Appearance

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