SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — French Education in British Columbia

Colleagues, in its historic ruling of June 12, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique, the Fédération des parents francophones of that province and the co‑appellant parents in an important case concerning funding for French-language education in Canada.

For 10 years, these organizations and individuals have claimed that French schools in that province have been underfunded relative to English schools, which constitutes an infringement of section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the section on the minority language of instruction.

The highest court in the land agreed with them and affirmed that British Columbia has a constitutional duty to provide equivalent education in both official languages.

Today, I want to pay tribute to the francophone parents from that province who argued with such resolve that their children should have the same rights as the majority.

Colleagues, whereas Canada prides itself on having a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, an Official Languages Act and a Human Rights Act, how can there still be such disparity between our educational systems? Troubling examples of inequities were brought to light during this legal saga: francophone children enduring bus trips that were twice as long, schools without libraries or gyms, or gyms so poorly heated that the children would exercise in their jackets.

For 10 years, some Canadian children did not have access to education equivalent to that provided to the majority. For 10 years, in addition to dealing with the challenges of parenthood, men and women had to devote time, energy and resources to simply gain recognition for fundamental rights in our country.

Today, we thank them. Thanks to their determination and commitment, these parents are giving their children, minority language communities and all Canadians a priceless gift because all provinces and territories are expected to respect section 23 of the Charter.

During this pandemic, we have come to realize, more than ever, how much we need well-educated and well-trained citizens to face the challenges of the future. For this to happen we must ensure substantive equality of educational opportunity for all.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Let us ensure that in future our country lives up to that declaration.

Thank you.