Letter to Editor on French School in Rustico
Marie Burge expresses disbelief at Government's mishandling of sensitive history of Acadian-anglophone relationships,
Posted: Saturday 14th March 2009 18:01
The PEI Government must claim some of the responsibility for the meanness that has surfaced. In situations, such as the sensitive history of Acadian-anglophone relationships, governments are expected at least to speak and move cautiously to avoid bringing back bad memories and hurtful responses. Governments should be expected to enter into respectful negotiation with all parties involved and to understand the history.
February 21, 2009
Dear Editor
As an Island anglophone, I am totally ashamed of the tone and intent of the dialogue around the French School for Rustico and area. The PEI Government must claim some of the responsibility for the meanness that has surfaced. In situations, such as the sensitive history of Acadian-anglophone relationships, governments are expected at least to speak and move cautiously to avoid bringing back bad memories and hurtful responses. Governments should be expected to enter into respectful negotiation with all parties involved and to understand the history.
There seem to be very superficial reasons in Premier Ghiz’s decision to deny an Acadian community centre as part of the proposed new school. What’s the problem? It cannot be the cost of building the Acadian centre; that would be covered by Federal dollars. It cannot be the future cost of maintenance; much of the infrastructure is already in place. It cannot be that the existence of an Acadian community centre attached to the French school would create a competition for other existing centres. In other Acadian school/community centres in PEI, these buildings are not massive. They are well-planned to serve the specific cultural needs of the Acadian population. These Acadian school/community centres in other regions of the province are also a healthy and welcoming place for anglophone community-based organizations.
A number of us in the anglophone community supported the long struggle of the Island Acadians as they went as far as the Supreme Court of Canada to have their right to French schools declared in 2000. It was our understanding at the time that the ruling involved not only the promotion of the French language in school, but that it also involved developing a French-language community and that this be done in circumstances where community development would be enhanced. The members of the Acadian and Francophone community of PEI looked for a structure and institution which would provide language and cultural development within the context of a community. The solution was the school/community centre model, which had been endorsed and encouraged by PEI governments, and which has had great success in various regions of PEI..
So back to our original question: what has happened in government circles to create an about- turn. It seems impossible that the Government would be making a decision based on the numbers of people (votes) they have heard from. After all, the need for rights protection in this case is precisely because we are talking about a minority (in numbers) group.
Finally, for the sake of the dignity of Acadians and of all Islanders: back off and do everything possible rather than have this dispute go before the court. Loss of time and financial costs would be a scandal to all of us. The Acadians of PEI are an essential part of the PEI community. They have been models of courage and self-determination which enrich the life of all of us. Respect alone tells us that they deserve much better than this latest obstacle and stand-off.