Wednesday 1 February 2023

N.B. premier says proposed new 50-50 French program not 'a sure thing'

 

N.B. premier says proposed new 50-50 French program not 'a sure thing'

Higgs says he’s awaiting a ‘final proposal’ from minister after angry public meetings

Higgs made his comments after two weeks of angry public meetings that saw dozens of New Brunswickers slam his plan to replace French immersion.

"It never was a sure thing," he said of the new model announced in December. "If it was, there wouldn't much point in having consultations. It was a proposal to say 'is there another way that we can achieve better success?'"

The model was described as a "framework" when it was unveiled in December. It would see all anglophone kindergarten and elementary students spend half their day learning English and half learning French.

A man speaking. Education Minister Bill Hogan said last week that 'nothing at this point is written in stone.' (Ed Hunter/CBC)

That's more French than what non-immersion students get now but much less than the existing, optional immersion program.

Higgs also said last fall immersion had to be replaced this coming September, not by the original planned date of fall 2024 — a key point that prompted his previous education minister, Dominic Cardy, to leave the position last fall.

But in recent weeks, Education Minister Bill Hogan and his deputy minister for anglophone schools, John McLaughlin, have said they're open to alternatives.

Hogan said last week that "nothing at this point is written in stone," and McLaughlin told a committee of MLAs the 50-50 model was a proposal but there was no decision yet "about whether to proceed with this model or something different."

Higgs echoed those comments Wednesday.

It was his first chance to respond to the three public meetings in Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton, which had a total of more than 900 people attending and no one speaking in favour of the change.

Man in brown jacket with closely cropped grey hair. Chris Collins, executive director of Canadian Parents for French in New Brunswick, said the group 'is very encouraged by the fact there appears to be a softening of the ground' by the premier. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

"I haven't had a final proposal or a suggestion of next steps," the premier said, adding he'll be meeting with Hogan, McLaughlin, the Progressive Conservative cabinet and caucus to discuss what was said at the public meetings. 

"Then we'll decide, based on the recommendations, what we learned and the recommendations that came out of the department as a result of that."

Progressive Conservative MLA Andrea Anderson-Mason urged the government to "pump the brakes" on Jan. 20 because of the impact of reduced teaching time in English on a new literacy curriculum and on students with learning challenges.

Hogan said last week there would still be time to reopen registration for French immersion this fall if the government opted for that. 

Canadian Parents for French's New Brunswick executive director, Chris Collins, said the group "is very encouraged by the fact there appears to be a softening of the ground" by the premier.

"We're encouraged that there seems to be some change in the posturing," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jacques Poitras

Provincial Affairs reporter

Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. He grew up in Moncton and covered Parliament in Ottawa for the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal. He has reported on every New Brunswick election since 1995 and won awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Newspaper Awards and Amnesty International. He is also the author of five non-fiction books about New Brunswick politics and history.

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277 Comments 
 
 
kathy white 
Something fishy about this premier....very argumental individual 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to kathy white 
I knew that to be fact long before he became the leader of his party 
 
kathy white
Reply to David Amos
He's not exactly a team player ...he really shouldn't be in this position  

 
David Amos
Reply to kathy white
I disagree

Methinks everybody knows whose team Higgy has always been on N'esy Pas?

 
kathy white
Reply to David Amos
Oh okay I just got a different perspective of him....but news can inflate things also 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stephan Sommers
Why can’t it be that if you want French you go to a French school and English an English school? There are already transportation for both that go to the same neighborhoods. Serious question.   
 
 
Howard O'Toole
Reply to Stephan Sommers
A valid question. The answer lies in the preservation of the Acadian culture and community. You have to have a Francophone parent or in the case of immigrants, speak primarily French in your household.  
 
 
Stephan Sommers
Reply to Stephan Sommers
Interesting
 
 
Don Corey  
Reply to Howard O'Toole 
Maybe it's time to change the requirements, and allow all interested Anglophone students the opportunity to get schooled in the French system (wherever such opportunities exist). It certainly should have no negative impact on "Acadian culture".

Actually, it should be a "positive" for all.

 
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Bingo 
 
 
 
 
Sarah Brown 
Higgs is a very poor premier for this province. he cannot commit to anything without changing his mind.
 
 
Bob Smith 
Reply to Sarah Brown
That applies to the folks preceding him as well..Liberals and Conservatives both have made controversial announcements in the past only to backtrack. It's the norm in NB. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Bob Smith
C'est Vrai  
 
 
Jim Gootjes 
Reply to Sarah Brown 
Just gas lighting the public. I mean think about it - forcing French on all English kids and taking away French from those interested in really learning it. It’s almost a this hour has 22 minutes satire skit. On top of that, you don’t involve or get buy in from those who are involved in actually implementing it and just demand it happen by a specific date. On top of that, English teachers have to somehow become capable of teaching in French in an extremely short time frame? No rational person would consider this a feasible program. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Jim Gootjes
C'est Vrai  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Samuel Champlain
Another great quality of this gov't, they will listen to the voters and make changes as needed.
 
 
Douglas James
Reply to Samuel Champlain
Yes, and the moon is made of cheese. 
 
 
CanadaIsABritishCountry LikeItOrLeaveIt
  
 
 
Rosco holt
Reply to CanadaIsABritishCountry LikeItOrLeaveIt
Why all the resources to english language education?

The province give all of of resources to millionaires & billionaires and your type defends it.

 
David Amos
Reply to Rosco holt
Why to you answer him but ignore my support of your statements?  
 
 
 
 
 
Douglas James 
So basically another diversion by the Higgs government from the health care crisis which had been making all the headlines until...suddenly...'let's say we're going to do away with French immersion so the public will get off this healthcare kick'. They knew all along there was no way they could implement such a thing on such short notice and the government will likely change back to the Liberals before it can do so. Just a shell game for naive citizens, not to mention a waste of time and money. 
 
 
Jim Gootjes 
Reply to Douglas James
Agree. Just trying to reset the narrative. He’ll meet with JT soon and take the money for healthcare and pretend conservatives are investing in healthcare lol  
 
 
CanadaIsABritishCountry LikeItOrLeaveIt
  
 
 
Douglas James   
Reply to Jim Gootjes  
That's right.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gary MacKay
"never was a sure thing" to be reelected either... 
 
 
CanadaIsABritishCountry LikeItOrLeaveIt   
 
Reply to Gary MacKay
Minister to Premier, Dump this or we'll be looking at another form of McKenna trouncing at the poles.
 
 
Dan Lee
Reply to CanadaIsABritishCountry LikeItOrLeaveIt
your panties are showing........  
 
 
Suzanne Bernier
Reply to CanadaIsABritishCountry LikeItOrLeaveIt  
Sounds like Francophobia.  
 
 
Charles GALL  
Reply to Gary MacKay 
Don t think that will ever happen again. not after clowns like graham and gaylant  
 
 
Charles GALL
Reply to Dan Lee 
hitting a nerve are they daniel  
 
 
Michael Cain  
Reply to Dan Lee 
diapers you mean  
 
 
CanadaIsABritishCountry LikeItOrLeaveIt
  
 
 
Michael Cain  
Reply to CanadaIsABritishCountry LikeItOrLeaveIt 
Bed time for you. 
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Michael Cain 
I concur    
 
 
 
 
 
CanadaIsABritishCountry LikeItOrLeaveIt   
 
 
 
Johnny English
Reply to CanadaIsABritishCountry LikeItOrLeaveIt
It is not forced you have the option of staying in English only.  
 
 
K. Ride
Reply to CanadaIsABritishCountry LikeItOrLeaveIt
All of your comments come off as hatred of French. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to K. Ride
Welcome to the circus  
 
 
Josef Blow 
Reply to David Amos
The record is skipping again …..  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Josef Blow
Methinks the same rules hold for you N'esy Pas? 
 
"To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities . Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted." 
 
 
Bud Gardiner  
Reply to David Amos
Is this the circus with Ringmaster Jiggs & The Inane Clown Posse where nothing (even though there are no magicians in the show) is actually what it appears to be?  
 
 
Josef Blow 
Reply to Josef Blow
I suggest you continue on by explaining what you mean ...  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Bud Gardiner
Yup
 
 
 
 
 
 
CanadaIsAStructurallyBritishCountry ThatsAFact
 Most Francophones in NB are wonderful people as are the anglophones, but the people who push immersion into children for their own personal reasons are truly truly evil.
 
 
Gilles Vienneau
Reply to CanadaIsAStructurallyBritishCountry ThatsAFact
A name please?
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Gilles Vienneau  
Good Luck with that 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CanadaIsAStructurallyBritishCountry ThatsAFact
Best thing you can do is to teach your children to be proud of their language and identity. It will make them stronger to the Marxist indoctrination that goes on in the public school system.  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to CanadaIsAStructurallyBritishCountry ThatsAFact
Methinks the same rules hold for you N'esy Pas?

"To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities . Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted."

 


 
Susan Amos
I don't blame the people who support French immersion the way it is.. French immersion students are the clever well behaved students. But in the real world we have discipline problems, and special needs kids that 

all detract from being able

to deliver proper instuction. French immersion is private school teaching at public expense. Fix it Mr. Higgs. I bet the vast number of NBers are with you.

 
David Amos
Reply to Susan Amos 
Dream on 
 
 
Robert Losier

Reply to Susan Amos
 
 
Mathieu Laperriere 
Reply to Robert Losier 
Seems like "the many" were too scared to show up and speak up.  
 
 
Robert Losier 
Reply to Mathieu Laperriere 
They already voted and they voted in a Majority. Now all that needs to be done is for the Premier to listen to those that spoke with their vote. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Robert Losier  
For those that have never occupied a corner office take a look at the headline.
 
N.B. premier says proposed new 50-50 French program not 'a sure thing' 
 
Notice it doesn't read: 'not a sure thing'  

 
David Amos
Reply to Robert Losier 
FYI My Father had a corner office in the Centennial Building before Higgy and I went to High School I used to do my homework there sometimes 
 

Douglas James 
Reply to Robert Losier  
Me thinks someone was never a journalist himself. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Douglas James
Methinks everybody knows you were N'esy Pas? 
 
  
Robert Losier 
Reply to Douglas James  
Now look what you started. Methinks forever. 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Robert Losier  
Methinks a fine old Bard did that hundreds of years ago However I do take credit for spelling a certain Chiac expression in a fashion that upsets a lot of snobby Anglos who partook of the wrong French Immersion N'esy Pas? 
 
 
Jim Lake  
Reply to Robert Losier   
It says ‘not a sure thing’ today - which is far different from what he said last fall - then it was ‘this is a framework, it may get tweaked, but we’re moving ahead with the change’ … today, the premier sees that the majority of New Brunswickers have finally had it with his dictatorial style of governing. 
 
 
Robert Losier
Reply to Jim Lake
So I take it that you think The Premier is going to be a one hit term with Majority. 
 
 
Jim Lake  
Reply to Robert Losier 
Darn tootin’ … sooner he’s outta the premier’s office, the better New Brunswick will be. 
 
 
Robert Losier
Reply to Jim Lake
I thought it was an elected-to-Majority-power Premier tasked with speaking for New Brunswick. Now I learn it is you ... an unelected sort. 
 
 
Jim Lake  
Reply to Robert Losier 
Just so silly ………………
 
 
Robert Losier
Reply to Jim Lake
Try to not to speak for New Brunswick.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Robert Losier
I recall this being said many years ago:

"Actually, bilingualism is a boom for this province."

 
Mathieu Laperriere  
Reply to Robert Losier 
It sure is. Do you know how many federal call centers there are in this province?
 
 
Robert Losier
Reply to Mathieu Laperriere
I haven't any idea how many there might be now. 
 
 
Robert Losier  
Reply to Mathieu Laperriere 
How many?
 
 
Mathieu Laperriere  
Reply to Robert Losier
Beaucoup! 
 
 
Robert Losier  
Reply to Mathieu Laperriere 
I'll give you credit for that - not knowing I mean. Premier McKenna tried his hardest to run with that line. I don't know why. It wasn't as if anyone could have beat him way back when. 
 
 
Art McCarthy 
Reply to Robert Losier
I know TD now occupy a large chunk of what was Champlain Place. And there are others.  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Art McCarthy
TD and I go back to 1981 Franky Boy and I go back even farther 
 
 
lins bolan 
Reply to Robert Losier  
it is a waste of money ,not a boom.

the money spent on bilingualism should be spent on health care,seniors needs, normal education,etc.,etc.

 
Wilbur Ross  
Reply to Robert Losier 
Why do you want to stamp out French? That's geno_idal talk pal. Once a language is gone its hard to come back. Why are you such an anglo-supremacist? Were you forced into French school as a kid Robèrt? 
 
 
Robert Losier  
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Facts are facts. Opinion is opinion. Empirical evidence demonstrates that the French language has been on the decline for decades. And here you are with nothing other than you aiming for the messenger. I have absolutely nothing to do with the French language dying.
 
 
Wilbur Ross  
Reply to Robert Losier
Gross reasoning. 
 
 
Robert Losier  
Reply to Wilbur Ross
Facts are facts. If you can't accept the facts I suggest you look inward. 
 
 
Wilbur Ross  
Reply to Robert Losier 
That ... makes no sense. 
 
 
Robert Losier  
Reply to Wilbur Ross 
There is this thing I have available to me (I would think it available to you too) where I can search. Fact is French is a dying language. 
 
 
Wilbur Ross  
Reply to Robert Losier  
Anglo-supremacist ...  
 
 
Robert Losier  
Reply to Wilbur Ross   
You and your name calling.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Robert Losier
How can a parent guardian care taker of a French student be expected to take on social media usage in English and come up with a plan to put a stop to social media English usage? If you can't do it (and no one can) the writing is on the wall. Andon that wall it is written: The never ending social media onslaught of English usage is irreversible. If anyone, someone has a plan to stop their French child(ren) from utilizing social media English usage - I suggest that they post that plan to here.
 
Should be interesting to see just who it might be, who it may be the first to takeaway that hand held device. 
 
 
Gilles Vienneau
Reply to Robert Losier
Ti coune  
 
 
Marguerite Deschamps 
Reply to Robert Losier
There was a time when you would not have been hired in New Brunswick with a 🇳 🇦 🇲 🇪like that. You would have had to change your 🇳 🇦 🇲 🇪 for something more 🇪 🇳 🇬 🇱 🇮 🇸 🇭 , like 🇱 🇴 🇸 🇪 🇷❗❗❗ 
 
 
Robert Losier 
Reply to Marguerite Deschamps 
Some of us Irish never got to keep our names. And over the years I worked with many people with all sorts of names.  
 
 
David Amos 
Reply to Marguerite Deschamps 
Well put 
 
 
Jim Lake  
Reply to Robert Losier 
Social media use & language has nothing to do with French immersion education - time to let it go.  
 
 
Robert Losier
Reply to Jim Lake
First duality must go and after that well you should know - French is a dying language. 
 
 
Jim Lake  
Reply to Robert Losier 
Unbelievably ridiculous.
 
 
Robert Losier
Reply to Jim Lake
I know but for some reason their is still those that think they can salvage a soon-to-be dead language. Oh well it takes all sorts. 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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