Seeking new members
Alberta Education and Childcare is seeking new members for the next 2-year term of the Official Languages in Education Programs Provincial Advisory Committee (OLEP PAC) to meet quarterly during negotiations of the Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction between Canada and the provinces and territories, and bi-annually thereafter. The committee discusses and strategizes direction and leadership to ensure the vitality of francophone education and French second-language programming in Alberta.
The committee is comprised of proportional representation of members from diverse school authorities and geographical regions across Alberta. Members who complete their 2-year terms are replaced on a staggered basis each year to maintain continuity and preserve experience on the committee.
Alberta Education and Childcare is seeking the following:
- one representative from a metro school authority offering French immersion programming and/or French as a Second Language courses
- one representative from an independent or public charter school offering French immersion programming and/or French as a Second Language courses
Superintendents or designates representing any of the school authorities listed above who wish to serve on the OLEP PAC for a 2 year term (2026-27 and 2027-28) are asked to submit a letter of interest by Friday, August 28, 2026 to [email protected]. Include the following information in your letter of interest:
- name
- title
- school authority
- statement of interest
- signature
- signature of superintendent (if the representative is designated by the superintendent)
The purpose of PAC
The Official Languages in Education Programs Provincial Advisory Committee (OLEP PAC) is a committee comprised of proportional representation of members from diverse geographical regions including:
- francophone regional authorities and school authorities offering French second-language programs
- rural and urban school authorities
- public and separate school authorities
- representatives from Alberta Education and Childcare
The committee discusses and strategizes direction and leadership related to official languages in education programs to ensure the vitality of francophone education and French second-language programming in Alberta through:
- targeted funding
- enriched program delivery
- collaborative action
It is not a decision-making body.
2025-26 OLEP PAC members
Francophone minority-language representatives
- Gisèle Bourque, Executive Director, Fédération des conseils scolaires francophone de l’Alberta
- Robert Lessard, Superintendent of Schools, Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord
Representatives of French second-language programs
- David Keohane, Executive Director, College of Alberta School Superintendents
- Tawnya Schile, Director of Teaching and Learning, Calgary French & International School
- Christine Gourley, French Immersion Consultant, Elk Island Public Schools
- Diana Boisvert, Director French Language Resource Centre, Grande Prairie Roman Catholic Separate School Division
- Marie-Astrid Detharet, French Immersion and Curriculum Coordinator, Chinook’s Edge School Division
- Colin Desnoyers, Associate Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction, Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education
- Emma Piayda, Southern Alberta French Resource Centre Director, Medicine Hat College
- Dr. Sarah Fedoration, Manager of English as an Additional Language and Language Programs, Edmonton Catholic Separate School Division
Representatives from Alberta Education and Childcare
- Zoë Cooper (Chair), Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Services and Governance
- Regena Wiseman (Secretariat), Director, Intergovernmental Relations
- Kimberly Emerson, Executive Director, Stakeholder Relations
- Rachelle Bruneau, Director, French Language Service
- Sherri Johnston, Manager, Official Languages in Education Programs
PAC Terms of Reference
Resources
Contact
Connect with the Alberta Official Languages in Education Programs (OLEP) office:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-2940
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]