'We’re nervous': N.B. French immersion debate finds national interest
Parents and educators across Canada are watching for any changes made to French immersion in New Brunswick.
"We’re nervous because New Brunswick is sort of a beacon in the immersion world," said Chantal Bourbannis, executive director of L’Association canadienne des professionnels de l’immersion (the Canadian Association of Immersion Professionals). "What happens in New Brunswick might influence what happens elsewhere."
Dominic Cardy’s resignation as education minister last week from Premier Blaine Higgs cabinet revealed accelerated plans to "abolish" French education in Anglophone schools by September 2023.
Bourbannis said the topic would surely dominate a conference of immersion educators gathering in Ottawa early next month. An open-letter from the association called any plan to eliminate French immersion "counterproductive."
"We’re having a hard time recruiting our teachers. If French immersion always has bad press that’s not helping us," said Bourbannis.
Chris Collins, the executive director of New Brunswick’s branch of Canadian Parents for French, said the ongoing uncertainty over French education in New Brunswick was hurting Anglophone students.
"What it’s doing is stressing our French immersion educators in the province," said Collins, "and what they’re doing is leaving for the Francophone system. So we need to stop that."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.