Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Official Languages
Issue No. 6 - Minutes of Proceedings - Meeting of October 4, 2016
VANCOUVER, Tuesday, October 4, 2016
(14)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages met this day at 11:03 a.m., in room 2555, Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, the chair, the Honourable Claudette Tardif, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Gagné, Jaffer, Maltais, McIntyre and Tardif (5).
In attendance: Marie-Ève Hudon, Analyst, Parliamentary Information and Research Services, Library of Parliament; Kevin Pittman, Committee Clerk, Committees Directorate; Mireille Sylvester, Communications Officer, Senate Communications Directorate.
Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, the committee continued its study on the challenges associated with access to French-language schools and French immersion programs in British Columbia. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 4.)
WITNESSES:
La Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique:
Padminee Chundunsing, President of the Board;
Pascaline Nsekera, Immigration Program Manager.
Le Centre culturel francophone de Vancouver:
Pierre Rivard, Executive and Artistic Director.
Canadian Parents for French — British Columbia and Yukon Branch:
Glyn Lewis, Executive Director.
The Greater Victoria School District (#61):
Simon Burgers, District Principal, Languages and Multicultural Programs, Learning Team.
Surrey School District:
Catherine Berron, School Principal, Dual Track Elementary School.
The chair made a statement.
Ms. Chundunsing, Ms. Nsekera and Mr. Rivard made statements and answered questions.
At 12:18 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 1:31 p.m., the committee resumed.
The chair made a statement.
Mr. Lewis, Ms. Berron and Mr. Burgers made statements and answered questions.
At 2:49 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Silvina Danesi
Clerk of the Committee