Honorable Herménégilde Chiasson, M. et Mme les coprésidents, chers amis et invités.

Let me begin by saying what a surprise and an honor it was to learn that I was selected to receive the Lieutenant-Gouverneur Prix Dialogue.  When I received a call from Carol Fournier, I was left speechless thinking “Why would they select me?”

From the beginning of my career, I always strived to unite the two linguistic groups in New Brunswick.  I grew up in a home where both languages were prevalent.  I had parents that saw the acquisition of French and English as a regular part of our upbringing.  We were taught to come to the defence of any linguistic group that was being demeaned.

I believed that the two linguistic groups did not always get along because they did not speak to each other.  Being a French teacher in an English school district, it therefore became one of my goals to find ways to better train the students in the acquisition of French in order for them to meet their fellow francophones and come to the realization that the similarities between the two groups are greater than the differences and that these differences in our cultures enrich the lives of everyone.

As an educator, I decided to concentrate on the kids to bring about change.  I figured that if the students perceived the learning of French as a positive, fun and successful venture they would convince the population at large that having the ability to speak two languages fluently was not only possible through the school system but was an opportunity accessible to all.  Thus, through the eighties and nineties my colleagues and I strived to develop French Second Language Programs, accompanied by training for FSL teachers, which would enhance the learning and teaching of the language.  We accompanied this with the realization of linguistic and cultural exchange programs.  This led to the establishment of a French Second Language Policy (Policy 309) the only one of its kind in Canada which is a reason for the excellent French Immersion programs we now have and why thousands of young New Brunswickers are now fluent in both languages.

J’ai été sélectionné pour recevoir cet honneur mais je me considère tout simplement comme un petit membre de l’équipe avec qui j’ai eu le plaisir de collaborer.  Je dois signaler des gens tel que Debbie Thomas (qui a choisi de me nominer pour cet honneur), Robert Bernier, Donald Mazerolle, Léo-James Levesque,  Paul-Émile Chiasson, Johanne Austin et tous les conseillers en pédagogie (passé et présent)  qui se dévouent tous les jours afin que de plus en plus de nos jeunes puissent se considérer bilingue.  Je dois aussi signaler l’excellent travail des enseignants parce que sans elles et eux nous ne verrions pas le succès que nous avons maintenant.  Également je dois remercier CPF, un groupe de parents bénévoles qui nous ont toujours appuyé mais en même temps nous ont toujours incité à faire mieux.

Most of all, I want to recognize the students who have been the real indicators of success.  For all of us, it is not seeing the results of a simple 30-minute evaluation at the end of grade 12 which denotes if our students are succeeding or not but rather witnessing their incredible ability to converse in both languages.  Many have since proceeded in acquiring a third and a fourth language.  The French Immersion Programs in New Brunswick WORK and do not let any government official tell you differently!  The proof is in the pudding and the pudding is rich in New Brunswick.

I wish to share with you an event that happened to me recently.  I was traveling back from Halifax and as I stepped onto the plane a young lady turned towards me and said “You do not know me but I know you and I just want to say that you are responsible for my career.”  She elaborated by telling me that after graduating from the French Immersion Program in District 6 she proceeded to McGill University to study writing.  Upon graduation she decided to travel to France where she became interested in the French cuisine.  She researched the French traditional cuisine and since has written three cookbooks on the topic.  Her books are not only sold in Europe but also across Canada and the United States.  This lady’s name is Laura Calder and because of the success she has experienced, she was approached by the Cooking Channel in the US to film 21 episodes.  She said that if it was not for the French Immersion program she would never have had the confidence to travel so far and thus would not have experienced the success she is now living.  She added that she meets regularly with two other individuals from this area who are also living in Paris.  One is a highly placed employee dealing in international banking.  He splits his time between Paris and Zurich but also travels around the world.  The other works in the field of international relations.  His duties include traveling in numerous countries around the globe meeting with officials of various governments.  They credit the French Immersion Program for also giving them the necessary skills to be able to pursue careers that they love.  Laura also stressed that being part of the French Immersion Program did not only give her the ability to communicate in French but developed within her the confidence to move forward no matter what obstacles.

Congratulations to my fellow recipients, Mr. Irving, Mme LeBlanc and the Hearth and Stroke Foundation.  They are all very deserving.

I want to thank my family and friends who have traveled here today to witness this presentation.  I thank Carol Fournier and Dialogue NB for the excellent work they are doing. 

In closing, I want to leave with you this thought:

“Have you ever met an individual who could speak two or more languages tell you that he wished he could speak only one? Compare him to the individuals you have met who can speak only one language and who wish they could speak two or more?”
Merci