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Adam Huras
Telegraph-Journal

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Dozens of francophone schools in New Brunswick have asked for an exemption from a new regulation that mandates the daily singing of O Canada in provincial classrooms.

School administrators are defending the requests, saying that patriotism can be taught in other ways, while the national anthem cuts into class time and is difficult to co-ordinate.

"It is nothing against the anthem or anything like that," said Hermel Mazerolle, director of administration and finance for District 11. "I think it's just not only the anthem that will put Canadian values into our families and kids."

Controversy and a national debate erupted earlier this year when it became public that the principal of Belleisle Elementary School in Springfield had stopped the singing of the anthem in September 2007 following complaints by two families who took issue with the practice.

A public uproar led to former Education Minister Kelly Lamrock amending a regulation to require that the anthem be played or sung in all schools.

But the national anthem regulation gives schools the right to abstain as long as they provide an alternative.

The rule reads that if a principal is unable to comply "because of technical difficulties or reasons related to scheduling," he or she can apply for an exemption to their respective district education council.

The council can grant an exemption only if the principal proposes another activity that promotes the spirit of patriotism.

Mazerolle said he could not provide exact numbers but that some of the public schools in Richibucto District 21 had submitted a request, while more are expected at a meeting next month.

Campbellton area District 5 has had more than half of its 20 schools apply, while four of 22 schools in District 9 Tracadie-Sheila have sought an exemption.

Administrators estimated that roughly 40 francophone schools have asked for an exemption from singing O Canada each day.

"We have been doing it once a week for the past five years and we don't really see what it would do to do it every day," said Josée Ferron, principal of École Apollo-XI in Campbellton, one of the schools to receive an exemption. "We have intensified our efforts for a few special weeks during the year (to reflect on what it means to be Canadian) and we have put a flag in each class.

"We just feel that we can reach the goal aimed for through other ways."

Ferron said this way the school can maximize its time for learning. She said every Monday when the anthem plays is a special moment in the school and that the students are all proud to be Canadian.

"If you give the anthem special attention, it is that much more meaningful," Ferron said.

Mazerolle said some students have individual exemptions to not participate in singing O Canada and that the more time it is played, the more difficult it is to co-ordinate.

He also said it could also be seen as more important to ensure the national anthem is played at all sports games and assemblies, rather than every day in classrooms.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said there is no concern over exemptions as long as they comply with the regulation.

The Telegraph-Journal tried to reach all 14 New Brunswick school districts Friday. None of the anglophone districts reached - five of nine - had received requests for exemptions from its schools.

Ferron said that may be the case because up until now, the francophone communities of New Brunswick have had a great focus on Acadian culture versus Canadian pride.

"Our efforts have been mostly 'be proud to be Acadian, be proud to speak French,'" Ferron said.

"For the last five years you could walk into my school and the first thing you would see is the three colours of l'Acadie. But since September we have been working towards both."

Mazerolle said there can be several ways to create national pride.

"I can't talk for the English districts but I feel we have the same values both anglophones and francophones," he said. "We are all Canadians but we try to put the message through in different ways."

"The anthem is just one way and there certainly are great others."