Evidence of meeting #93 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was federal.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Okay. Are foreign students a possible solution? They certainly generate additional funds.
9:35 a.m.
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa
Let's look at Ontario, because I can only speak to that province. Tuition fees have been frozen for approximately four years now. We are now in the fifth year. Transfer payments have also been frozen. Tuition fees from foreign students were our only saving grace. We experienced a steady increase in francophone foreign students. For the past five or six years, the number has been spiking upwards. There are lots of applications.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
9:35 a.m.
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa
It was more than potential, it was a solution.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
9:40 a.m.
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa
It was a matter of survival, but now, given the measures announced by Minister Miller, we are—
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
9:40 a.m.
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa
—at a loss, and don't know what's coming next.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
I have two minutes left.
Mr. Arsenault, you said that you had been in touch with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and that so far, IRCC has been providing money for training anglophones. But it hasn't been giving you any for francophones. Is that right?
9:40 a.m.
Executive Director, Collège nordique francophone
That's right. Collège nordique francophone has to tell francophone immigrants who arrive that they have to take language training in English in order to pass our immigration tests, which are not available in French. We feel terrible every time it happens.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
Yes indeed. I can understand why.
Isn't there something in the Official Languages Act to prevent that from happening?
9:40 a.m.
Executive Director, Collège nordique francophone
We nevertheless managed to move things forward with IRCC, which is now somewhat receptive. We received funding this year to develop a French training prototype. However, when the time came to renegotiate funding for the September launch, we were told that there was no money left but that it might be available next year.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
The answer you got was "maybe".
So you're at the end of your tether. The University of Ottawa, the University of Regina, and you in the Northwest Territories have no more resources to promote and prevent the decline of French, but the government is not providing you with any tools. The Official Languages Act, which came into force in June 2023, has not in any concrete manner provided any instruments in the short term. You're hoping that this might change in the future. Have I understood you correctly?
9:40 a.m.
Executive Director, Collège nordique francophone
That's it exactly.
IRCC is somewhat receptive, but there has been no real action. That means that we are in a better position than we were before, and it may take another year or two, but there's still a lot of work to do.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Joël Godin Conservative Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC
So I understand that it's a matter of faith and that you trust the federal government. The official languages minister did in fact announce yesterday that the regulations would be tabled within 18 months, which happens to be two years and six months after the act came into force. Is that reasonable?
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal René Arseneault
Thank you, Mr. Godin, that's an excellent question, but we'll have to wait until the next round for an answer.
Mr. Samson, you have the floor now for six minutes.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank the witnesses for their presentations this morning. You are moving us, we trust, towards a possible solution. You are the experts in the field and we greatly appreciate your contribution.
I'd also like to emphasize that I appreciate your acknowledgement of the fact that the federal government has contributed to francophone university and college infrastructures. Its funding has increased from $2.2 billion five years ago, to $4.1 billion today, which is almost double. And it's not only the universities that are benefitting. Early childhood education, as well as elementary, secondary and post-secondary education are also being supported. If we can work together closely in these various sectors, everyone will benefit. I take a great deal of pride in that.
Dr. Frémont, thank you and congratulations on your contribution to the largest francophone higher education institution. There has been high praise for the University of Ottawa. My uncle graduated in medicine from the University of Ottawa, and I even gave a short presentation there a few years back. The work you are doing with Ontario's francophone school boards has led to close relations with them and I believe that's the key to success. Congratulations on these efforts.
My question is for the three witnesses. Earlier on, Mr. Normand, representing the national level, spoke about a consortium, such as a national panel on post-secondary education. How do you feel about that?
9:40 a.m.
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa
That's not an easy question. If it amounted to nothing more than a place to quibble and perhaps chew the fat, then I'm not sure it's a good idea. To be honest, there have been estates general on post-secondary education where everyone was consulted and able to state their points of view. The provincial governments were involved. The roadmap is there. Canadian Heritage knows about it. Everyone was in the loop. We could hold another round and try to reach agreement, but that's not where the problem lies. The current problem is one of funding, not only for new initiatives, but also for intellectual infrastructures.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Dr. Frémont, with respect, the concept of equity and equality is fundamental. The provinces have no understanding of the concept at all.
Independent consultations were organized. If all the key players were to get together at an issue table, like the Table nationale sur l'éducation, then it might work. I have confidence in that, but I respect your point of view. It's not that you're against it, but…
9:45 a.m.
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ottawa
We intend to get involved.
As someone who began as a professor of constitutional law, I believe that what you might be referring to is "substantive equality". That's what we're talking about.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Thank you.
Mr. Aito, I believe I also gave a presentation to graduates at your university a few years back.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
It was a virtual event. I try to get to every part of the country to share various experiences and ideas on education.
Without wishing to influence you in any way by my comments, what's your opinion about a national table on just post-secondary education?
9:45 a.m.
Dean, la Cité universitaire francophone, University of Regina
An issue table on post-secondary education focussing on concrete policy implementation would be a very good idea.
9:45 a.m.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Thank you.
Mr. Arsenault, what do you think about it?