I have been reading all these chronicles for some time on the state of French in Quebec from Oslo, in Norway, which has a population half that of Quebec over a vast territory: nothing is in English and little talk. And they are no less successful and fulfilled than in the UK. Quite the contrary. And in this context, I cannot help but remember — not that I was born under the lily and that I prospered under the rose — but rather that day when I said to myself that federalism had won!
It happened almost eight years ago. I was traveling to Vancouver by train with my wife and two young children. I assure you, this victory was not the fruit of a grand government strategy at the time, nor that of any genius versed in Quebec-Canada relations.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m not one of those people who feel limited by the English presence. Knowing at least two languages gives me an advantage over them, and always will. I also think that Dawson is a magnificent CEGEP, which everyone can freely consider attending. I’m also proud of who I am, of Quebec, of my nation, and I don’t hide it. I also have high aspirations for her and for our children, for the world in which we live.
In the same breath, I fully agree that the Government of Quebec, through its Ministry of Higher Education, should cap the financial resources in higher education devoted to attendance in the English language.
I don’t hide it either: Quebec must devote the maximum of resources to French-speaking attendance. Offering an equivalent quality of services, or even better in French-language establishments than in all the rest, is what we must aim for (and we do not have to limit young adults in their personal decisions to achieve this).
Why ? Because it is young Francophones who suffer from under-education, and particularly Francophone boys. And maintaining the French fact in the Americas depends on the attractiveness of French-language schools, CEGEPs and universities for the populations who attend them or who are likely to attend them, everywhere in the territory, including in our northern territories: the best teachers, management and other personnel, spaces, learning environments, technologies… have to find their way around.
This is the only viable plan: we will live in French because we will enjoy this language to such an extent that young Francophones will aspire to fulfill themselves in it, just like immigrants who can only be seduced by all that this language will have to offer them.
That said, this does not change the status of Quebec and the form of Canada that I mentioned above. Why ? Because of science and the resulting technologies!
When I arrived by train in Vancouver eight years ago with my young family, I could, for the first time and without additional costs, share our activities with our parents, as if I were in my garden. Water games in the public square in video, videos of grimaces in the restaurant, cycling in Stanley Park, children chasing Canada geese… Closeness from coast to coast had become possible. The western reality could be shared in real time with parents, family, friends. And I said to myself: they won! It’s finish.
But that should not prevent us from living in French, from promoting it, from making it a prosperous, balanced and open society: it is a question of ensuring that living and growing up in French is the best choice, the most profitable , on all the plans. Not like when Hydro-Québec built Manic and refused French-speaking employees because they did not speak English: it is the opposite that must be promoted!
Just before Oslo, I was in Sèvres for a UNESCO Office for Climate Education forum. On the return to Paris, on the train, I was able to chat with my children in real time and show them the exceptional beauty of the French territory. I orchestrated a dinner plan with my spouse whom I was to join in Paris. I paid for my AccèsD accounts by reading LaPresse+ and The duty, then I entered the station. I walked to my hotel, proud of who we are, proud to be here. I was proud to participate in solving the greatest challenges facing us: education, higher education and climate change.