The latter spoke with them by videoconference while the students were in a class at École JH Picard, a French-language immersion establishment in Edmonton.
The meeting initiated by the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta (ACFA) is part of the consultations with the federal government for the development of the action plan for the application of the Official Languages Act currently being adopted in Ottawa.
The federal deputy wanted to take the pulse by trying to understand the Alberta reality. I want to know a bit, if it’s difficult in Alberta what are your chances of practicing in the community of speaking French
he asked the students.
The response was not long in coming. Chibu Udedibia, a 12-year-old student, immediately explained that the linguistic context [en Alberta] outside of school hours, does not encourage the practice of French. Personally, I think it’s very difficult, because we’re in a predominantly English-speaking environment, we don’t always have the opportunity to practice French.
he explains.
An uncertain francophone future
The Saint-Jean Campus of the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Emilio Avalos
Coming to his last year of school studies, Rowan Ponton fears a break in the French-language study programs at the Saint-Jean campus of the University of Alberta.
I have a lot of obstacles in accepting the Campus Saint-Jean offer, because I’m not sure I can follow all my [cours universitaires] the low
regrets Rowan Ponton.
In recent years, the Francophone campus has experienced administrative and financial problems that almost led to its closure.
A ninth-year French immersion student, Isaac Bussière wanted to attend the meeting with the federal deputy. He believes that this can help make the voice of young people heard and offers an opportunity to change things, to improve the situation of young Francophones.
More extracurricular activities in French
École JH Picard offers a full French language immersion program from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Sofiane ASSOUS
All the students agree that the study program alone is not enough and that we also need more opportunities to practice French. They demand more spaces and extracurricular activities in French.
On the same wavelength, Katerina Udod regrets the lack of practice space and support. As a 9th grade student, she thinks that the study program alone is not enough to have a good command of the language of Molière.
I don’t think I have the chance to practice French outside of school. I have a few French-speaking friends, but other than that, I don’t have any French-speaking family members to talk to in French. There are not many francophone clubs or places in Alberta
explains Katerina Udod.
For Amy Vachon Chabot, Manager of Political Strategy and Government Liaison at the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta (ACFA), the idea of holding this meeting between Francophone students and the parliamentary secretary is intended to make the voices of young people living in a minority situation heard and to involve them in the Canadian Francophonie.
” It is important to hear from the students themselves, what are the issues that concern them. I think they expressed their concerns well. »
The MP promised to study the students’ requests to see if they should be integrated into the federal government’s plan for the application of official languages legislation.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca