the Numbers for BilingualismSymposium underway in Toronto ATTENTION: POLITICAL, BUSINESS, EDUCATION AND LIFESTYLE EDITORS AND REPORTERS March 3, 2004 TORONTO, ONTARIO - Key sector stakeholders from across Canada have gathered in Toronto to develop a strategy to double, by 2013, the number of young Canadians with a knowledge of their second official language. The symposium, entitled Vision and Challenges for the 21st Century, is being held on March 2, 3 and 4, 2004, by Dr. Dyane Adam, Canada's Commissioner of Official Languages, in partnership with Canadian Heritage, Intergovernmental Affairs and Canadian Parents for French. "Young Canadians are increasingly aware that learning a second language is to their advantage," says Dr. Dyane Adam, Commissioner of Official Languages. "Not only does their knowledge of English and French improve their personal job prospects, but it also contributes to our social, cultural, economic and political wealth as a nation."Stakeholders from across Canada, in key sectors such as education, business, sports, and arts and culture, are participating in the symposium. Keynote speakers include His Excellency John Ralston Saul, founder and honourary chair of French for the Future; the Honourable Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Health, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister responsible for Official Languages; the Honourable Denis Coderre, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada; and the Honourable Lyle Oberg, Minister of Learning, Government of Alberta."Thirty years of promoting official languages has resulted in a critical mass of young Canadians who are bicultural and bilingual," said Mr. Saul. "This has already changed the way we behave in diplomacy and in domestic and international affairs. Now we have to develop even more sophisticated models so that Canadians-the young people themselves, parents, citizens in general and governments-can derive greater benefit from this commitment." "Our objective of doubling the number of bilingual high-school graduates by 2013 must be pursued in cooperation with numerous partners, many of whom are here today," said Mr. Pettigrew. "I am pleased to see we are all inspired by the desire to achieve this objective, and I want to take the opportunity to reiterate the Government of Canada's commitment to continue to implement the Action Plan for Official Languages."While Canadians generally recognize the value of bilingualism, one of the biggest hurdles is ensuring that children have access to quality second language education across the country. As for the 24 percent of young Canadians who already consider themselves functionally bilingual, the real challenge is to sustain opportunities for them to use their second-language abilities."In Alberta, we are committed to providing our students with every opportunity to maximize their potential, achieve their goals and succeed in their chosen careers," says Dr. Oberg. "Knowledge of a second language is a skill that will be key in preparing today's students for tomorrow's workplace.""Bilingualism is an investment in our children," says Dr. Ian Richmond, National President of Canadian Parents for French. "When choosing a second language for their children, 74 percent of Anglophone parents choose French. One of the principal challenges we are facing is a shortage of teachers to meet the growing demand for quality education through French immersion programs.""From a business perspective, individuals with knowledge of a second language are very much in demand because a bilingual workforce gives us a competitive edge, not only in the Canadian market but also in the international marketplace," says Peter Robinson, President of Mountain Equipment Co-op. "But bilingual employees are hard to come by and we need to have the right strategies in place to meet the increasing demand.""We used to define ourselves in terms of institutions such as the Auto Pact and the Wheat Board," says John Hinds, Executive Director of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association. "Canada's national identity is now defined in terms of shared values such as multiculturalism, individual rights, the environment, peacekeeping, living within our means and bilingualism."The goal of the symposium is to strengthen the commitment of governments and the general public to doubling the proportion of young Canadians who know both official languages. Stakeholders have come together to develop a strategy to achieving this objective, particularly in regions of Canada where progress is needed, by highlighting best practices and previous successes. The two-day symposium is being held at the Novotel Toronto Centre Hotel, 45 The Esplanade, Toronto, until March 4. For information regarding the symposium and the complete program, visit www.ocol-clo.gc.ca.-30- CONTACTS: Cristiane Doherty Symposium Media Relations 613-233-9191 1-888-473-3582 (toll free) cristiane@delta-media.com Chantale Breton Manager, Public Affairs Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages 613-995-0374 1-877-996-6368 (toll free) chantale.breton@ocol-clo.gc.ca
