Appointment of Members to Interim Conseil Scolaire Francophone Provincial

The Minister of Education, Roger Grimes, announced today the appointment of members to the interim Conseil scolaire francophone provincial, the provincial francophone school board.

The appointments, which were approved by Cabinet, are an important step in preparing for the establishment of the francophone education system.

The members of the interim Conseil scolaire francophone provincial were appointed upon the recommendation of the Federation des parents francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador; these nominations will be effective upon the proclamation of the recent amendments to the Schools Act, 1996.

"With the passage of the amendments to Part V of the Schools Act, 1996 and the appointment of the interim school board, government has fulfilled its commitment to the francophone community," Minister Grimes said.

The members named to the interim Conseil scolaire francophone provincial represent the five areas of the province where francophone children currently enjoy the benefits of education in French.

Members named to the interim Conseil scolaire francophone provincial are as follows:

for Port au Port
M. Ali Chaisson
Mme Jenny Fenwick
M. Clarence Lecoure
Mme Sylvie Oliver

for Labrador West
M. Michel Cayouette
Mme Pearl Lee

for Labrador East
M. Daniel Lecompte
M. Jean-Fran�ois Vivier

for St. John's
M. Richard Charron
M. Michel Savard

"The Department of Education has benefited greatly from the support of the francophone community, and from the close cooperation of the Federation des parents francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador, the provincial organization of francophone parents. Francophone parents are no doubt justly proud of their accomplishments," stated Minister Grimes.

With the appointment of the interim Conseil scolaire francophone provincial, the province is moving to provide francophone parents with management and control of their schools, in conformity with Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The interim conseil scolaire will operate until elections are held, possibly in the fall, for the first elected Conseil scolaire francophone provincial.

Contact:
Carl Cooper 729-0048
Patrick Balsom 729-5133

Danielle Savard 722-7669
Francophone parents

NOTE TO EDITORS: This news release is also available in French, please contact the Communications and Consultation Branch at (709) 729-3610.