MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT

The elation we felt at the opening of the
Maison de la Francophonie and the
disappointment which followed at the
failure of the Meech Lake Accord
epitomize the emotional ups and downs
that have characterized this past year.
In fact, the tense political climate of
1990-1991 has spurred the Fédération
on to meet the challenges of the post-
Meech Lake period.

We have begun serious deliberations
and have increased our dealings with
various public forums, in particular the
Citizens’ Forum on Canada’s Future,
the Special Joint Committee on the
Process for Amending the Constitution
of Canada and the British Columbia
Cabinet Committee on Confederation.
We felt it essential that francophones in
British Columbia be part of the
constitutional debate.

We were, of course, also involved in
other important issues, such as the
governance of francophone education,
cuts at Radio-Canada and court trials in
French. Despite all the energy that has
been expended, progress has been slow
in coming. I am convinced that the
Fédération des Franco-Colombiens will
have to make its concerns and demands
more widely known in the years to
come.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the
member associations, members of the
Board of Directors, and the staff of the
Fédération for the support I have received
throughout the year. I wish all the
delegates an excellent annual general
meeting.

Vy ae

Marie Bourgeois
President

La Fédération des Franco-Colombiens

Annual Report 1990-1991

MESSAGE FROM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As you will see in reading this Annual
Report, we have focussed activity on
developing our institutional network, and
we must continue to concentrate on this
area, as the entire francophone community
in British Columbia will face many
challenges in the years to come. We are
being called upon to diversify our funding
sources, but more importantly, we need
qualified, competent and permanent
leadership to take us through the difficult
times ahead.

We must develop clear objectives in order
to carry through projects already under
way and increase the impact of our activities.

The outcome will depend on our ability
to excel.

Wishing you all a successful annual
general meeting.

Cou fee}

Yseult Friolet
Executive Director

The Executive Director, Yseult Friolet, and President, Marie Bourgeois,
at the Féte colombienne des enfants at Fort Langley.