Francophone School Boards
The Canadian constitution was brought back to Canada in 1982.
- In it, the parents of French or English-speaking children had the right to their education in the language of their choice.
- School operating costs were not decided. Franco-Albertans were often unable to obtain the financing to open or maintain their own schools.
- Schools such as l'école Georges-et-Julia-Bugnet, which opened in 1983, closed the following year.
Franco-Albertans were given the right to their own school councils through the case of Jean-Claude Mahé, Paul Dubé, and Angeline Martel (cas Mahé).
- The case went to the Supreme Court and was later decided in their favour..
- Three Francophone school governing councils were initially established
- These came to include four others.
- By1999, five regions in Alberta had a Francophone school board.
With these tools, Francophones living in a minority situation can finally offer their children school services that permit them to protect their linguistic heritage.
