This week on Focus Montreal: June 11

MONTREAL — Focus Montreal introduces Montrealers to people who are shaping our community, bringing their stories into focus.

It airs on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and at midnight.

Take a look at who we’re meeting this week on Focus Montreal:

5:19 Focus Montreal: Quebec expands pre-kindergarten program

Quebec Education: Pre-kindergarten

Quebec is going to offer pre-kindergarten classes to four-year-old children in disadvantaged areas.

The government will add 100 classes at schools across the province in September. There are already almost 90 pre-kindergarten classes at various Quebec schools.

The goal is to reduce inequalities, and eventually lower the drop out rate.

Global Montreal’s Amanda Jelowicki sat down with Dr. Sheryl Smith-Gilman, an expert in education from McGill University, to talk about the program.

9:41 Focus Montreal: Summer of TAG

Summer of TAG: Allergy awareness campaign

It’s Grand Prix weekend in Montreal but racing fans got a jump on the action at La Ronde when they got to meet a veteran driver.

Alex Tagliani hosted a meet-and-greet at the amusement park to sign autographs and raise awareness about allergies.

The Montreal native knows firsthand the challenges of managing life-threatening allergies.

Senior Anchor Jamie Orchard caught up with Tagliani earlier this week to talk about his allergy awareness campaign and his most recent race – The Indianapolis 500.

Montreal Folk Festival on the Canal

The Montreal Folk Festival on the Canal is back for its 9th edition and it’s bringing some amazing talent to this city.

The family-friendly festival was conceived as a showcase for folk, roots and bluegrass music.

From a one-day event that attracted 500 festival goers in 2008, the folk fest has grown into a five-day musical extravaganza attracting thousands to the Lachine Canal.

The festival gets underway June 15 and runs for five days at the Eslplanade du Centenaire, on the corner of Pitt and Saint-Patrick streets.

Festival organizer Carl Comeau dropped by Focus Montreal with more information about the festivities.

For the complete schedule visit the Folk Festival on the Canal website.