EDUCATION

Towards Governance of
Francophone Education

The noted Mahé-Bugnet affair in Alberta
has had an enormous impact on the
issue of governance of education in
British Columbia. In fact, the Supreme
Court of Canada, in keeping with Section
23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms, recognized the principle
of governance of education for the
francophone minority, although the
requisite number set out in Section 23
has been subject to vague interpretation.

Closer to home, the repercussions of
this decision resulted in the withdrawal
of acase presented before the Supreme
Court of British Columbia in which the
Fédération was co-plaintiff with the
Association des Parents du Programme
Cadre de Francais and a number of
parents of French-speaking students.
This process led the province to strike a
special education committee responsible
for providing recommendations to the
Minister of Education. Thiscommittee,
chaired by Mr. Edgar Gallant, was formed
in order to determine the best means of
providing education for francophones.
The committee continues to work on a
management model for schools providing
programme cadre de frangais.
Throughout this year, Fédération
representatives Mr. Jacques Vinet and
Mr. Vincent Pigeon, along with
A.P.P.CF. representatives Ms. Martine
Galibois-Barss and Ms. Pierrette Woods,
have lent their expertise to the Gallant
Committee. The Fédération was also
active on two working subcommittees -
one dealing with policy strategy and the
other ofa more advisory nature - as well
as in providing support for any initiatives
aimed at advancing governance of
francophone education in British
Columbia. The committee will publish
its report in May of 1991. The govemance

La Fédération des Franco-Colombiens

Annual Report 1990-1991

MLA for Vancouver-Little Mountain, Grace McCarthy prepares to speak at the official opening of the
Maison de la Francophonie. Other dignitaries included Gordon Campbell, Svend Robinson, Tom
Perry, Henry Paradis, Guy Matte, D’ Iberville Fortier and our President, Marie Bourgeois.

of education therefore remains a
priority for the Fédération.

Young People - Our Future in the
Making

The Fédération is very much aware
that young people are our future,
and readily agreed to present a paper
at the “Vision d’avenir” project.
When the “Commission nationale
d’enquéte sur l’assimilation des
jeunes” made a stop in Vancouver,
our Executive Director, Ms. Yseult
Friolet, explained the problems facing
young francophones in British
Columbia. Recommendations were
made in an effort to help young
francophones gain access to post-
secondary bursary programs.

Sometimes it is the small initiatives
that deserve big applause, and the
Fédération took the opportunity to

thank the Insurance Corporation of
British Columbia for their publication
of a road safety document for
francophone students.

Overall, it was a busy year, raising
many challenges for the years to come.

POLITICS
Constitutional Affairs

This past year, marked by the pre- and
post-Meech periods, featured several
important political meetings as well as
significant public involvement through
the media. The Fédération was therefore
very much in the foreground throughout
the entire constitutional debate. Initially,
on April 20, 1990, the Fédération
appeared in Vancouver before the special
committee looking into the companion
resolution to the Meech Lake Accord.
In our opinion, the proposition put