OTTAWA – Today, Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser tabled his seventh annual report. Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is pleased to see how the Commissioner continues to value French second-language instruction across Canada, and lauds his vision of creating a true continuum of learning from elementary schools to post-secondary institutions. CPF strongly agrees with the Commissioner that the “continuum is an important an integral part of preparing our young people to be productive employees and citizens who can invest themselves fully in in the civic life of their country,” and supports the Commissioner’s recommendations to help improve French second-language learning for elementary, high school, and university programs across the country, including a better exploitation “of the potential of minority-language educational institutions,” and “a common language proficiency framework.”
Commissioner Fraser also stated during the press conference held after the release of the report that he was disappointed that French is not a mandatory subject outside of Québec.
CPF National President, Lisa Marie Perkins, welcomed the Commissioner’s report and stated, “It is always reassuring to know that the Commissioner is hearing the stories of parents who make the effort to give the gift of both official languages to their children , and that he sees a clear path in taking action to help future generations of children gain access to second-language education. The recommendations made in the Commissioner’s report are the necessary building blocks to help future French second language learners in the years and decades to come.”
-30-
Canadian Parents for French is the national network of volunteers which values French as an integral part of Canada and which is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French-second-language learning opportunities for young Canadians.
Information:
Shaunpal Jandu, Communications Officer
Tel: 613.235.1481 x222 Email: sjandu@cpf.ca