Manitoba’s premier wants local schools to teach students about the tough fight for francophone rights that took place in the 1980s.
Premier Wab Kinew is pushing for this addition to the education curriculum after he spoke mostly in French during four days of question period at the legislature, which some applauded while others questioned.
Kinew also expressed his desire for the legislative assembly to provide a live translation of question period in either of Canada’s official languages for those watching online.
“I hope that after this week, we can use this experience as motivation to renew our education system to share our own history as Manitoba, including those struggles and challenges for the Francophonie to protect your language and your culture,” Kinew told host Jérémy Laniel in a Friday French-language interview with Le 6 à 9, Radio-Canada’s morning radio show in Manitoba.
Kinew was referencing the French-language crisis of the 1980s when a government bill proposing provincial services be offered in French led to protests from some English speakers.
The offices of the Société de la francophonie manitobaine were set on fire, and the opposition Progressive Conservatives spent nearly two weeks blocking a vote on that government bill.
The NDP government eventually caved into public pressure, withdrawing the bill in 1984.
However, by the following year, Canada’s Supreme Court ruled that Manitoba’s unilingual laws were unconstitutional. The court stated that these laws needed translation into French before they could be re-enacted.
Kinew mentioned that many Manitobans don’t know about this part of history.
“The reality in Manitoba is that the French language is the language of your mothers, your fathers, your grandparents. And then they had to hide their books, they had to hide their signs with French text,” he said in French.
Kinew noted that his government would consult with experts from Franco-Manitoban School Division, Société de la francophonie manitobaine and others familiar with this history before adding it into the curriculum.
Criticized speaking of French
Since La Vérendrye MLA Konrad Narth became interim leader of the Opposition Progressive Conservatives two weeks ago, Kinew has responded to every English question posed during legislative sessions in French.
In late May, Narth – who doesn’t speak French – faced backlash when he was heard saying Kinew showed a “basic lack of respect” by answering his question in French.
Narth later claimed he asked his question in English instead of French, leading NDP MLAs to heckle him for disrespecting their language based on an audio recording from that exchange.
He later apologized if his comments were misinterpreted and has since said it’s impressive that Kinew can speak in French during question periods. Narth now listens to live translations provided during sessions for MLAs present in chambers.
The premier has denied any suggestion that he’s responding exclusively in French due to Narth’s comments from May. He told reporters earlier this week that Narth was “disrespecting the bilingual tradition.”
Interim Progressive Conservative Leader Konrad Narth said this week he has no issues with the premier speaking in French in chamber. Narth doesn’t speak French but can listen to live translation available there. (Kevin Nepitabo/CBC)
By Friday, Kinew compared himself saying he feels “a bit like Forrest Gump” – referring to a character known for running across America “for no particular reason.”
Kinew mentioned how he started speaking more frequently in French; “and then I thought it was important to keep going. But I don’t really know the exact reason.”
While Kinew has spoken some Spanish previously regarding francophone matters only rarely does it happen anymore within legislative sessions.
He disagreed with claims made Friday by Raymond Hébert-a professor emeritus who authored works discussing Manitoba’s crisis-that he’s politicizing using french within discussions.
Hébert further stated how such conduct could undermine efforts toward advancing bilingualism while upsetting anglophones too much along political lines.
KINEW RESPONDED TO THIS SAYING HE RESPECTS HÉBERT BUT THAT “MANITOBA HAS CHANGED A LOT,” POINTING OUT INCREASES IN FRENCH-IMMERSION SCHOOLS ALONGSIDE MANY MANITOBANS SPEAKING AND RESPECTING THEIR LANGUAGE AS WELL AS ITS HISTORY.
THE NDP GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED ITSELF TOWARD MAKING MANITOBA A “TRULY BILINGUAL” PROVINCE BY CONSULTATION EFFORTS LAST YEAR WHILE SCHEDULING RELEASE OF A PROVINCIAL STRATEGY FOR MARCH 2027.
WHILE MANITOBA’S COURTS AND LEGISLATURE OPERATE IN BOTH ENGLISH & FRENCH OTHER SERVICES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE IN DESIGNATED AREAS WITH CONCENTRATIONS OF FRANCOPHONE POPULATION THUS MAKING THE PROVINCE NOT OFFICIALLY BILINGUAL BY LAW.
KINKEW ALSO STATED HE DOESN’T THINK IT “WOULD BE A HUGE DEAL” TO PROVIDE LIVE TRANSLATION FOR QUESTION PERIOD ON YOUTUBE BROADCASTS AS MLAs ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO EARPIECES CONNECTED DIRECTLY FOR TRANSLATIONS DESKS.
HE MENTIONED HOW SUCH DECISIONS FALL UNDER THE PURVIEW OF SPEAKER WHO EARLIER THIS YEAR MADE PICTURE-IN-PICTURE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION AVAILABLE DURING ALL QUESTION PERIOD BROADCASTS
P><SPEAKER TOM LINDSEY DIDN’T IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT FRIDAY.
Source link
