Vancouver Francophone Elementary School Conditions Violate Minority Rights

[Wetcoaster]

A decision has been rendered by the BC Supreme Court that the BC Ministry of Education has failed to protect French language minority rights.

The rights of students at a francophone elementary school in Vancouver have been violated, a B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled.

Justice Peter Willcock said conditions at Vancouver's École Rose des Vents lag far behind nearby English-speaking schools, and ruled the province needs to ensure standards are equal.

The judge noted the francophone school, which is for students whose first language is French, has 344 students in a space meant for 200, and its daycare program has 90 names on its waiting list, but can only accomodate 12 children.

While the judge ruled the disparity violates charter provisions upholding minority language rights, he didn't say what should be done to correct the problem.

The case began in 2010 when parents argued the school was too small and had inadequate washrooms and library space.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/11/02/bc-francophone-school-ruling.html

Here is the decision in L’Association des parents de l’école Rose-des-vents v. Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique, 2012 BCSC 1614:

http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/SC/12/16/2012BCSC1614.htm

[The Wizard of AZ]

When my sister and I were in French Immersion(90's-mid 00's) we weren't allowed in the Gifted program because being in the French program was considered a privilege. There were no Francophone students in my class though.

[pibroch]

Ya well the francophone school in Victoria is insane new and they get tons of money to go on trips and stuff for the 400 people who go there (it's k to 12). So I guess that makes up for this school being not that great.