At the Provincial Level Postsecondary: students are now able to pursue a university education in French in B.C. After eight years of working toward post-secondary education in French, the FFCB can now pass the baton to Simon Fraser University (SFU). This institution has just received funding from the federal and provincial governments for initiatives aimed at reinforcing post- secondary education in French within the province. During the year, the FFCB's efforts were critical in securing the funding and resultant programming for September 2004. First, the FFCB had to work with SFU in developing a business plan outlining the main elements of the project, including details on costs, designed to meet the needs of the various partners. The FFCB also met on many occasions with individuals to secure the resources necessary to implement the action plan, confirm Members of the SFU Advisory Committee: > Office of francophone and francophile affairs of Simon Fraser University > Canadian Parents for French > Francophone School Board > Fédération des francophones de la C.-B. > Fédération des parents francophones de la C.-B. > BC Ministry of Advanced Education > Canadian Heritage > Société de développement économique de la C.-B. > Simon Fraser University — French Department — Continuing Education — Students — Faculty of Education — Faculty of Arts funding for the initiative and keep key players in the project informed. The result of these many meetings was significant support for the project on the part of a large number of people, including M.P., Hedy Fry, the Minister Responsible for Official Languages, Mr. Stéphane Dion, and His Excellency John Ralston Saul. In addition, the FFCB played an active role in implementing the initiative. It took part in developing the new curriculum, hiring personnel, establishing promotional tools and creating an advisory committee within Simon Fraser University. The FFCB ensured that SFU will secure community involvement in the project. The establishment of an advisory committee is a first for the Francophone community and it guarantees that French speakers will be fully involved in growing this Important partners in the Simon Fraser University (SFU) postsecondary project: from I. to r. Shirley Bon, representing the provincial government, Hedy Fry, M.P, Dr. Michael Stevenson, SFU President and Claude Provencher, FFCB President. Photo courtesy of : l’Express du Pacifique. e university project. Over the next few years, the FFCB will be part of this committee that brings together key community, university and government partners, thereby ensuring a link between the community and the university. SFU will accept its first Francophone program students in September 2004. It will be offering an undergraduate program in public administration and community service, and will be expand- ing its professional development program in education. It will also be offering a Master's in French-language education outside of Vancouver's Lower Mainland. Education Memorandum on education challenges On October 24, 2003, the FFCB submitted a memorandum on education challenges in British Columbia to the Senate Committee on Official Languages. Specifically, it reminded the Federal Government of the importance of its role and leadership in education. It outlined the challenges being faced in education (from preschool to postsecondary) by minority language communities, particularly in B.C. LD, O19UIIZOD Dg op soUTY PIIUDUY SOP UIYDUIPIY NF Ee 4ooz