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speakup

The provincial government's decision to scrap early French immersion may have come as a shock to some, but Rheal Fournier saw it coming last year.

The former Miramichi Bay-Neguac Liberal Association president resigned last fall. He said part of the reason for the move was he anticipated something like happening with FSL.

While he saw it coming months ago he said he isn't pleased with the government's decision.

I'm not happy with the recent developments that's for sure," Fournier said. "I don't think we're heading the right way, I don't think it's the right thing to do."

He said he wants the programs reinstated.

"I want them improved, I want them supported. There's just not enough funding currently in these programs to achieve the desired results. So the problem is not to throw the baby out the window with the bathwater," he said.

He also took issue with the report that looked at french instruction in New Brunswick schools saying certain factors weren't taken into consideration.

The move to scrap early french immersion and make sweeping changes to French language instruction has sparked province wide debate and protest. On April 3 New Brunswick Ombudsman Bernard Richards announced he intends toconduct an investigation into FSL complaints.

Richard said he had received more than 200 complaints on the matter and he considered them worthy of further scrutiny. He also asked the government to suspend elimination of Early French Immersion until the 2009-2010 school year.

Education Minister Kelly Lamrock responded in the legislature saying the government would be moving forward with the reforms.

Premier Shawn Graham reiterated Lamrock's stance, saying "... we respect the ombudsman's decision to undertake a review of this policy decision. However, the fact is that this government was elected to make policy, and this decision will stand for implementation in September."

In the weeks since the announcement many have come forward to speak for and against the move.

Printed on page A3 are thoughts and comments from four stakeholders, including:

• Retired French-second language teacher Esther Mahoney

• District 16 District Education council president and French Second Language Report Commissioner Patricia Lee

• Neguac mayor Richard Breault

• French School District 11 Superintendent Gerald Richard