A CRTC decision that made some waves a few months ago was the ruling that the French language television station TVA would become a part of basic cable for the whole of Canada in 1999.
This decision angered many. Some expressed feelings that there already is enough French on television. Others said that the proportion of Francophones who live outside of Quebec is so small that it doesn't pay to add another French station. They also argue that no one who is English watches French TV. Wrong. TVA will be coming to Edmonton on May 1 (at least for Videon customers) and frankly, I can't wait. You read that right -- I am a born and bred Anglophone, and I am addicted to French TV, particularly the music and variety shows of which there will be plenty on TVA. I stumbled upon French culture quite by accident one evening when I was channel surfing and saw a music special on TV5, another French variety channel, that caught my eye. I quickly became a French music junkie, and realized that my only sources of this great music were this channel and Radio-Canada, the French CBC. I slowly began picking up the language, and even designed a Web page about my favorite Francophone singer, Paul Piché. For me, music was a gentle introduction to the world of French that I did not even know existed in Edmonton, and a bridge to understanding a different culture and language. I know it's not a popular thing to be into French music because of all the political hoopla surrounding separatism, but examining another culture through its television programs, music, or other forms of entertainment with an open heart and mind can lead to greater understanding. A couple of years ago when I prepared an article about the Franco-Albertan music scene, I was told that there were in excess of 80, 000 Albertans for whom French is their native tongue, and about 20, 000 or more of them live in Edmonton. Of the French population here, although there are few transplanted Quebecois, many of them were born here or in surrounding French communities like Bonnyville and St. Paul. Most of them are fluently bilingual, because of the dominant English surroundings. In my article, I discussed many issues that affect French Albertans including the struggle to keep their language and culture going, and the challenges of performing in French in a place where French is a minority language. Fortunately, to combat cultural assimilation, various organizations and community centres have sprung up over the last few years. Next week I am going to take you on a tour of the French community in Edmonton through the Web sites of these organizations, publications, and community centres. Previous Features
