Backgrounder: Overview of the 14 organizations receiving additional funding through the Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities (2023–28)

The Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities is ESDC’s flagship program to enhance the vitality of these communities. The program provides funding to a network of 14 organizations across Canada, including one national organization and one organization in each province and territory.

1) Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation (CEDEC)
CEDEC helps the English-speaking community leverage its strengths to stimulate innovation, growth and economic development. It fosters public-private-civil society partnerships that harness combined resources and expertise to promote innovation and creativity. It provides coordinated leadership of initiatives and contributes actively at all stages of their achievement, from idea to action to results. By contributing to job creation and skills development, CEDEC helps communities seize opportunities for growth and investment to achieve lasting economic success. 

2) Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité (RDÉE Canada)
Since 1999, RDÉE Canada has been dedicated to fostering the economic development of Canada’s Francophone and Acadian communities. The organization supports the collective actions of its members and provides national leadership through collaboration among the different organizations. RDÉE Canada actively promotes the vitality and development of these communities in a variety of areas through effective and coordinated efforts to improve their economic prospects.

3) Horizon TNL
Horizon TNL develops and supports initiatives aimed at improving the economic development of Francophones in Newfoundland and Labrador. Using French as a catalyst for economic development, Horizon TNL helps Francophone immigration candidates and newcomers with the immigration process and their integration into the local labour market. To advance economic progress for Francophones, Horizon TNL works with the province’s employers to promote the benefits of hiring skilled and bilingual immigrant workers.

4) Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité Île-du-Prince-Édouard (RDÉE PEI)
RDÉE PEI is the leader in community economic development, entrepreneurship and employment in the Acadian and Francophone community of Prince Edward Island. Its mission is to contribute actively to entrepreneurial and community economic development and job creation within the province’s Acadian and Francophone community, while working toward the economic vitality of the province. Its ultimate goal is to provide the Acadian and Francophone community of Prince Edward Island with a fertile and prosperous environment for economic, community and entrepreneurial development.

5) Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ)
Founded in 1999, CDÉNÉ is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the economic development of the Acadian and Francophone community in Nova Scotia. It is the only provincial Francophone organization in Nova Scotia. With its personalized approach and the expertise of its team members, CDÉNÉ delivers solutions for businesses, not-for-profit organizations, job seekers, economic immigrants and communities. Its goal is to support and ensure the economic success of these groups in the province.

6) New Brunswick Economic Development and Employability Network (RDÉE NB) / Conseil Économique du NB Inc.
RDÉE NB / Conseil économique du NB Inc. initiates, develops and supports development strategies and initiatives that meet the needs of the Francophone and Acadian communities and contribute to the province’s economic vitality. RDÉE NB is the economic development division of the Conseil économique du Nouveau-Brunswick Inc. Its mission is to contribute to economic growth in New Brunswick’s Francophone and Acadian communities.

7) Société économique de l’Ontario (SÉO)
The SÉO contributes to the province’s economic development by promoting the emergence of new businesses, supporting the growth of existing businesses, and helping Francophone and bilingual newcomers find quality jobs. It does so by supporting employers in their recruitment efforts and strengthening community economic growth through a series of initiatives and programs. SÉO assists with the creation, development and expansion of Francophone and bilingual businesses in Ontario.

8) Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM Manitoba)
Since 1996, CDEM Manitoba has been the driving force behind economic development in 15 bilingual communities of Manitoba. CDEM upholds its leadership role by establishing partnerships and supporting community economic and entrepreneurial development. The organization is a key player in the economic development of Manitoba’s Francophone community at the provincial and national levels. It focuses its efforts in the following key sectors: employability and immigration, business services, community economic development, tourism, youth and communications.

9) Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan (CÉCS)
Since 1947, CÉCS has participated in the economic development of the province’s Francophone communities. It acts as a representative of economic development in the region. It helps communities design and manage economic development tools for French organizations in Saskatchewan. CÉCS stimulates the creation, development and expansion of Francophone businesses and encourages individuals, businesses and communities to capitalize on the economic potential of their region.

10) Parallèle Alberta (formerly the Conseil de développement économique de l’Alberta)
Parallèle Alberta focuses on Francophone economic development in Alberta. It offers a range of coaching services, resources and networking opportunities to job seekers, entrepreneurs and the bilingual business community throughout the province. Driven by its three pillars—entrepreneurship, employability and community economic development—the organization strives to support and promote French economic initiatives for Francophones in the area.

11) Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique (SDE)
Since 1998, the SDE has been a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to advancing economic and professional opportunities for Francophones in British Columbia. The organization promotes Francophones by supporting the entrepreneurial efforts of Francophone business people and helping disseminate economic information within the community. The SDE represents the interests of the economic sector of the Francophone and francophile community, fostering business and entrepreneurial development.

12) Carrefour Nunavut
Carrefour Nunavut is focused on economic development in Nunavut, offering services to Francophones and francophiles to help them better participate in the territory’s economy. It is active in various sectors, including employment, tourism, entrepreneurship and the social economy. The organization facilitates partnerships and provides resources to support economic integration and regional development while taking into account the community’s linguistic and cultural needs.

13) Conseil de développement économique des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (CDÉTNO)
CDÉTNO is a not-for-profit organization that provides free bilingual services to help job seekers and immigrants in the Northwest Territories find employment. Created in 2001 by a group of Francophones, CDÉTNO aims to expand French learning opportunities in the territory. By establishing partnerships with governments at all levels, the organization supports the economic development and employability of Francophones in the Northwest Territories. It also facilitates the connection between the territory’s business community and French-language services.

14) Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY)
AFY is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1982 that works to enhance the vitality of the Yukon’s Francophone community. Its objective is to create, develop and maintain the quality of life in French in the Yukon. In collaboration with government, community and private partners, AFY organizes events, offers a variety of services and represents Francophones in the Yukon.