A mom in Steinbach is disappointed to hear that the Hanover School Board has put a request for French Immersion on the backburner. Jennifer Stepaniuk, who last year urged parents to state their support for French Immersion, says she understands the division's first priority is a new school for Niverville. But she wonders why the division can't put in a simultaneous request to the Public Schools Finance Board for French Immersion.

Jennifer Stepaniuk with her daughter"My concern is timelines. Everybody know that Niverville needs a new high school which is fine, we can all appreciate that. However, are we going to be waiting for another ten years for French Immersion to be implemented? Why can't things be done simultaneously?"

Stepnaniuk says about 30 parents stated their desire to the school division in writing last year for French Immersion, but maintains there are many more who have not come forward. She adds the general feeling is that it's high time it was here. Stepaniuk started to lobby for French Immersion in 2015, noting she wanted her then pre-school-aged daughter to be able to start Kindergarten in both official languages. She says Canada is a bilingual country and children should be able to get the training they need for a career in either language.

Hanover Superintendent Randy Dueck says the school division wants to focus the Public Schools Finance Board entirely on a new school in Niverville and therefore is not putting in a simultaneous request for French Immersion. He has indicated in the past that Hanover does offer the basic French course.