Annual Report 1991-1992

50th Anniversary of the Société Francophone de Victoria.

British Columbia’s Constitutional
Committee

While the Fédération was pursuing its
political lobbying campaign, the B.C.
Legislative Assembly was conducting atour
to determine the constitutional demands of
thecitizens of this province. The Fédération
presented its position to the Legislature on
March 21, in Vancouver. On April 2, British
Columbia’s Constitutional Committee made
its report public. The Fédération was deeply
troubled by the report, as itmadeno mention
whatsoever of linguistic duality. The
President of the Fédération des Franco-
Colombiens then condemned the lack of
leadership and vision of this province’s
constitutional committee. The Fédération
continues to make its demands known and
to insiston ameeting with Premier Harcourt;
however, the Premier has so far merely
referred Fédération requests to the Minister
responsible for Constitutional Affairs.

Recognition of the Right to Native Self-
Government

Last February, the Fédération des Franco-
Colombiens took part in the “First People’s
Forum on the Constitution” which was
organized by the United Native Nations of

British Columbia. The Fédération came out in
support of the democratic process being
adopted by this organization which represents
over 80,000 British Columbia natives living
outside reserves. The Fédération des Franco-
Colombiens recognized the right of natives to
self-government and can count on this ally to
defend linguistic duality and the demands of
francophones living outside Quebec.

First French Trial in British Columbia

On September 9, 1991, the President of the
F.F.C. was present at an historic milestone in
the delivery of French-language judicial
services in British Columbia. The New
Westminster Courthouse was, in fact, the scene
of the first ever trial before bilingual judge
and jury. After the coming into effect of
Section 530 of the Criminal Code on January
1, 1990, anyone accused of a criminal offence
in British Columbia may request to be tried in
French. A great deal of work still remains to
be done, however, as the Province has not yet
completed its recruitment list of francophone
jury members. The F.F.C. continues to
cooperate with the Province’s legal services.

La Fédération des Franco-Colombiens

Court Challenges Program

Following certain irregularities and
difficulties in obtaining criminal trials in
French, the Fédération des Franco-
Colombiens secured the promise of financial
support from the Court Challenges Program
to prepare a case evaluation. Unfortunately,
under the federal budget cuts, the Treasury
Board terminated several programs,
including the Court Challenges Program.
This constitutes an incalculable loss for
francophone communities, and the F.F.C.
has sent several letters of protest decrying
this decision and has supported the F.C.F.A.
du Canada in its efforts aimed at reviving
this program.

Office of the Commissioner of Official
Languages

Last June, the Office of the Commissioner
of Official Languages informed us that the
position of liaison officer for British
Columbia was being eliminated. Atthe time
it was to be atemporary cut. Complaints or
requests for information were to be directed
to the regional office in Edmonton. The
Fédération des Franco-Colombiens has
encouraged the Commissioner to reconsider
his decision, so far without success.

During this same month, the F.F.C. was
pleased to hear of the nomination of Dr.
Victor Goldbloom to the position of
Commissioner of Official Languages. The
francophone community’s expectations
regarding Mr. d’Iberville Fortier’s successor
were fulfilled - Dr. Goldbloom has, since
coming to office, actively promoted official
bilingualism and linguistic duality.

The F.F.C. Takes up The Cause against
Increases in Postal Rates

In an effort to counter the increase in postal
rates which was threatening the very
existence of ouronly francophonenewspaper
in British Columbia, the Fédération, in
cooperation with Le Soleil de Colombie,
encouraged all associations, francophone
groups and schools to return the protest card
distributed by the Association de la presse
francophone to the appropriate departments.
Francophones responded in large numbers.
Canada Post, however, has not allowed
francophone publications outside Quebec to
be mailed at a reduced rate. In order to
benefit from a postal rate that would allow it