Parent group welcomes N.B. premier statement that French immersion reform uncertain
A New Brunswick parent group is welcoming a statement by the premier that the government's proposed reform to the French immersion program in schools "was never a sure thing."
Chris Collins, executive director for the New Brunswick chapter of Canadian Parents for French, said it is encouraging to see Premier Blaine Higgs soften his stance.
"We're very encouraged by it, but we're not popping the champagne corks at this point," Collins said Wednesday night.
"The people in New Brunswick have spoken very clearly on this, and they want the government of New Brunswick to back down. And we hope that happens in the next little while."
Higgs told reporters Wednesday his government's plans to reform French immersion weren't concrete and that he would make a decision based on recommendations from the Education Department. The proposed changes are to be implemented in the fall and would see kindergarten and elementary students spend half the day learning in French -- down from the current 90 per cent of the day.
"It never was a sure thing," Higgs said. "If it was, there wouldn't have been much point in having consultations. It was a proposal to say 'is there another way that we can actually achieve better success?"'
The government has said the goal of its reforms is to ensure all graduates in the anglophone sector have at least a "conversational level" of French. The province prides itself on being the only officially bilingual province in Canada but has lamented how most of its anglophone graduates can't speak French.
The government recently held a series of public consultations on its proposed changes, including one meeting last month in the capital during which almost all who spoke out criticized the plan.
At the public consultation session in Fredericton, Education Minister Bill Hogan said the government would gather data and make recommendations, which would be shared "as soon as we can."
Higgs said Wednesday he was looking forward to the recommendations. "We heard lots of comments. Lots of information was shared and I think the minister and deputy and the department are evaluating all that now."
"I haven't had a final proposal or a suggestion of next steps. The minister and I, and department folks, will meet on that and obviously there will be likely further discussions amongst the cabinet and caucus and then we'll decide based on the recommendations."
Collins said French immersion in the province can be improved by attracting more teachers, which he said would make the program available to more students.
One of the parents at the Fredericton consultations said he was worried the government would claim a silent majority was in favour of changing French immersion -- despite the vocal opposition. Hogan, after the session, did not answer reporters' questions about what proportion of residents he thought were in favour of the new program.
Collins said it would be "political suicide" if the government continued with its proposed French immersion model.
"There is no silent majority here. This is just plain clarity of expression," he said. "The people of New Brunswick want to keep French immersion just like they have in all other provinces in Canada."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 2, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.