Probably about as many parents who are fighting to get their kids in French Immersion in the rest of Canada. I can't speak about anywhere other than Toronto but here it's quite sought after, second language for children.
Especially amongst first generation immigrants like myself.
The difference is that in the rest of Canada, your child (and their children) does not lose their right to go to English school if they go to a French school first.
That's not because of French language, they would try even if it had Zulu immersion. It's just that it's cheaper than private schools, but you still get good students and quality environment
Correct. The parents that care put their children into French immersion because other like-minded parents do so and their children are high-achieving.
Any teacher will tell you that parenting is the biggest determining factor in academic achievement, and as a result French immersion is effectively the "academic stream" in the Canadian school system. It also receives additional federal funding which is not available to English programs.
Especially amongst first generation immigrants like myself.