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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 54

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
April 6, 2022 02:00PM
Context: House Hansard - 54 - Apr/6/22
Ms. Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona, NDP)
  • Apr/6/22 4:06:34 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-13 
Mr. Speaker, my colleague will know that in Edmonton Strathcona we have a large francophone population, and we are home to the only francophone campus in western Canada, Campus Saint-Jean. I know that the government has failed in its obligations, as found by the Federal Court of Appeal twice, by not meeting its obligations to French speakers outside of Quebec and not protecting minority language rights. We have seen our Alberta government not support Campus Saint-Jean. We have seen the federal government step up to provide that support. However, what else can the federal government do to make sure that provinces like Alberta provide those French-language teachers that are required?
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Context: House Hansard - 54 - Apr/6/22
Ms. Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona, NDP)
  • Apr/6/22 5:00:19 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-13 
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to ask my hon. colleague about immigration because, of course, for a place like Edmonton, Alberta, immigration is a key component for ensuring that the vitality of the French language is able to be maintained. In 2003, the government set an objective to maintain the demographic weight of francophones outside of Quebec and that was meant to ensure that 4.4% of immigration settled outside of Quebec in the rest of Canada and that they could speak French. We have never made the target. The government, in 20 years, has never reached that 4.4%. This bill has no catch-up clause. What would the member say about the potential for adding in something to catch up for all of those years that we missed our target of 4.4% immigration?
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Context: House Hansard - 54 - Apr/6/22
Ms. Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona, NDP)
  • Apr/6/22 5:20:50 p.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-13 
Mr. Speaker, I am sorry. When I was in school in Edmonton, it was very hard to learn in French, so I hope the House will pardon my French skills. However, like the member, I am proud that my children speak English and French. It worries me that the Government of Alberta does not seem supportive of the French language. How can the federal government do more to help the provinces?
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