French Canadian Society posts video asking government to make a decision

The Rivier Academy, which closed at the end of the academic year in 2017, has been mentioned as a possible replacement. The building is operated by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary.

The Facebook video from the lolcal French Society calls for a decision to be made (Facebook)

“Rivier had been forwarded as an idea that was sort of a win-win for everyone because it’s empty,” media spokesperson for the French Canadian Society of Prince Albert, Estelle Hjertaas told paNOW. “We need a new school and that way you don’t have to wait… but in that time in a year nothing has happened and so that’s what the video is about, asking the minister.”

The video features children and parents of the school asking for a decision on the Rivier Academy so they can move on with planning.

Hjertaas said the French community is advocating for a move to the Rivier Academy and is their primary goal but if not, they want the government to commit to a timeline for a new school.

She added École Valois is too small and faces some structural issues so they can’t meet the needs of the current or future students.

Hjertaas said the idea behind the video came because of a meeting with the minister of education a few weeks ago and they wanted to have something to show him.

“As a minority language group in Canada it is difficult to maintain our identity as Francophones and when there isn’t enough space in the school to offer different class and programs then people leave,” she said.

To keep people within the school she said there needs to be more of those offerings and they need to be able to grow the population of the school. She also said the French community is growing in part, due to new immigration.

She added they are waiting on the government but from her understanding, although she wasn’t at the meeting, the Ministry of Education has asked for additional information.

Former President of the French Canadian Society of Prince Albert and current employee at the Conseil des Écoles Fransaskoises, Michel Dubé told paNOW they are working on a business case to have the academy sold to the school board so students from École Valois can be transferred there for next fall.

“I’m working with the school board and the Ministry of Education to come to an agreement on the purchase/transfer of the facility,” Dubé said.

He said they need to be able to justify the Rivier Academy won’t become a white elephant.

In an email to paNOW the province confirmed Education Minister Wyant had met with members of the local francophone community on December 17 to discuss the group’s concerns. The statement said, in part, the potential for the purchase of Rivier Academy was discussed and the ministry continues to work closely with the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises in an effort to reach a solution for francophone students in Prince Albert. This work includes conversations with the current owners of Rivier Academy.

The ministry added, as part of the process for the potential acquisition of capital assets, the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises provided a business case to the ministry for evaluation.

The ministry will review the business case. At this point, no decisions regarding the potential acquisition of Rivier Academy have been made.

Editor’s note: this article was amended Dec.30 to include comment from the Ministry of Education.

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Ian.Gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12

by Ian Gustafson

French Canadian Society posts video asking government to make a decision

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