Bill 96 a barrier to Indigenous students: education groups
Indigenous leaders say the government's proposal to require more French proficiency in colleges (CEGEPs) could devalue languages spoken well before the European tongue became prevalent in the territory now called Quebec.
The First Nations Education Council (FNEC) runs elementary and high schools in 22 Indigenous communities made up of eight nations. At those schools, Indigenous students learn their native language first and then either French or English as a second language.
FNEC director-general Denis Gros-Louis said the provincial government is sending a signal to Indigenous youth that they are not good citizens by adding French course requirements at the post-secondary level.
"Would you be encouraged to go to CEGEP if the provincial government told you, 'you've gone to your schools in your communities. You know your language, you know your culture, you're proud of who you are, [but] once you come to the provincial network, we're going to penalize you because you're not a good assimilated Quebecois,'" he said. "That's what I don't like about Bill 96."
He said the bill would affect around 200 students who speak their Indigenous language and English.
"Forcing them to write their French exam in Sec. 5 in order for them to go to a trade program or CEGEP is a lot to ask," said Gros-Louis. "They're forced by the ministry of education to write their French as if it was their mother tongue, which is unfair."
"About 200 will not have an impact on the decline in French in Quebec, but it will have a very significant impact in our communities."
Robin Delaronde, education director at the Kahnawake Education Centre, said students should be able to choose their language of instruction based on their needs and goals.
"If they intend to work in a mainly French environment, that should be their choice. If they don't want to and are comfortable in English, and are knowledgeable in the content, then that is their choice as well," she said.
She said Indigenous communities were not consulted about the proposed amendments.
"No one has come forth and said, here's this bill, we know that it's a language bill -- how will it impact your communities? And definitely, we are forgotten," she said.
"The only time that First Nation is considered in Quebec, by the provincial government, is when it comes to resources on the land."
According to Gros-Louis, the FNEC will need to fill around 600 positions for teachers, speech therapists and other posts in the near future.
He said Bill 96 will make it harder to hire staff, particularly from Indigenous communities, if they need to complete the French exam requirements.
"You cannot get all the services you deserve as a young person who speaks English or who speaks their language because your professionals didn't qualify [for] the order, because they didn't write it in French or couldn't write it in French," said Gros-Louis. "Another systemic barrier to youth, and they don't deserve that."
The FNEC, along with the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec/Labrador (AFNQL), would like the bill to provide the same provisions included in the James Bay-Northern Quebec agreement to all Indigenous students.
That bill allows students to take the exam in their language of choice.
The AFNQL and FNEC will meet with Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge at the end of the month to discuss the issue.
With files from CTV's Max Harrold.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.