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.

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