LANG Meeting Summary Reports

Meeting Information

Standing Committee on Official Languages (LANG)

Meeting No. 60 – Increased Francophone Immigration to Canada

May 9, 2023 from 3:32 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Committee Members*

*Members present for this meeting is subject to change

BQ Mario Beaulieu (La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC)

NDP Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB)

CPC Joël Godin (Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC)

Bernard Généreux (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC)

Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton, ON)

LPC René Arseneault (Chair) (Madawaska—Restigouche, NB)

Francis Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON)

Angelo Iacono (Alfred-Pellan, QC)

Arielle Kayabaga (London West, ON)

Patricia Lattanzio (Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC)

Marc G. Serré (Nickel Belt, ON)

Witnesses Present

3:32 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Department of Citizenship and Immigration (IRCC)

Alain Desruisseaux, Director General, Francophone Immigration Policy and Official Languages Division

Olivier Jacques, Area Director (by videoconference)

Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH)

Julie Boyer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Official Languages, Heritage and Regions

Sarah Boily, Director General, Official Languages

Takeaways

• Main topics of discussion were around the Olymel Processing plant closure, its impacts and solutions for the future.
• The tone of the meeting was generally cordial with a heated intervention from Conservative MP Gourde.
• A single undertaking arose from this appearance, for IRCC. Further details below. (No undertakings arose from this appearance.)

Summary

Opening remarks

IRCC opened by highlighting ongoing initiatives to support francophone immigration including additional points for francophone and bilingual candidates under the Express Entry program, introducing time-limited temporary resident to permanent resident pathways in 2021, the new Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration, and improving promotional activities in Canada and abroad including the Destination Canada Mobility Forum. These initiatives have contributed to successfully meeting the target set in 2019 of 4.4% French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec by 2023. IRCC stated that Bill C-13 will set ambitious commitments that the department is committed to meeting, and the department is currently laying the groundwork for a new francophone immigration policy including new admissions targets while continuing to work in close collaboration with partners to provide support to francophone minority communities.

In their opening remarks, AAFC mentioned its commitment to listen to the needs of the industry and works closely within its mandate with the agriculture and agri-food businesses. AAFC highlighted the importance of Olymel in the sector and mentioned its close collaboration with the organization. AAFC stated that Olymel pointed the labor shortage as the reason behind their closure, adding that the lack of manpower is a problem that particularly touches the sector of meat production. AAFC highlighted its collaboration with ESDC and IRCC when it comes to temporary foreign workers (TFWs) to ensure that it responds to the needs of these sectors. AAFC continued by indicating that they are developing a strategy to address chronic labour shortages in agriculture and food processing. AAFC ended by saying that they offer a wide range of support programs to the hog industry.

Questions and interventions by committee members focused on the following topics:

Support for impacted workers

• MP Lehoux asked Olymel VP Paul Beauchamp if there is a possibility to have the workers who have lost their employment to facilitate their employment into other organizations in Beauce. Beauchamp responded that Olymel will collaborate with the authorities with the goal of allowing those who want to remain in Beauce to do so.
• MP Lehoux asked IRCC if there is a way to accelerate the opening of the closed work permits for the TFWs having lost their job and enquired if the work permits for these people could be extended. IRCC replied that it is working with Olymel to identify these workers and extend the work permits until the closure of the processing plant.
• MP Savard-Tremblay mentioned in some instances, because of the way closed permits are designed, some TFWs may resort to working in the black market instead of seeking legitimate work. He asked what resources workers have in these situation. IRCC replied that all foreign nationals in Canada on work permits have the right and the authority to apply for a new work permit. They are eligible through an LMIA from ESDC or if they meet criteria from the international mobility program. IRCC concluded that foreign workers on closed work permits could pursue other job opportunities depending of each unique situation. MP Savard-Tremblay asked what would happen during the processing delays. IRCC replied that, should the employer receive a new employment offer and IRCC would process it within two weeks.
• MP Valdez asked the officials to share details on the support services to impacted workers. ESDC responded that they have been in touch with Olymel to ensure services to the impacted individuals, such as employment insurance.
• MP Valdez asked IRCC if there are plans to expand or modify their TFW programs in light of the plant closure. IRCC advised that there are no plans for now, adding that the TFW programming in Canada is quite broad and offers various pathways. IRCC reiterated that across the suite of all these programs, it covers a lot of different pathways.

Future of the pork industry

• MP Lehoux asked Paul Beauchamp if there are other avenues for Olymel to sell its pork products. Beauchamp replied that Olymel is working on this daily, adding that the international market is volatile.
• MP Lehoux asked AAFC what steps are being taken to identify new markets such as the Indo-Pacific. AAFC advised that there is indeed work that is being done on that end and programs currently in place.
• MP Taylor Roy asked Sollio SVP Stéphane Forget a bigger picture view of the trends around the pork industry. Forget mentioned Olymel faced the perfect storm of international events, of which the closure of the Olymel processing plant was a consequence. Olymel VP Beauchamp indicated that the pork industry is facing challenges such as labor shortages and the recent pandemic as well as the disappearance of the Chinese market.
• MP Savard-Tremblay addressed Olymel’s Paul Beauchamp by mentioning another of their closures in his own constituency six months ago. He asked if Olymel had other processing plants that were in danger that should closely monitored. Beauchamp replied that it is always a possibility that more plants may have to close in the future but that their priority is to take care of their workers. Olymel’s Louis Banville continued by reiterating that they are working with federal and provincial governments to ensure that workers losing their job in Vallée-Jonction are able to access work in other Olymel plants and are waiting for the federal government’s response to open the work permits tied to their processing plant.
• MP Gourde painted a bleak picture of the current state of pork production in Quebec and stated that Olymel wanted 1,200 additional workers. He asked IRCC if they have a clear signal to process these files as soon as possible. IRCC advised that the current processing times for overseas workers is 24 days, down from 67 in July 2022. In a heated statement, MP Gourde interrupted IRCC and demanded that the government expedite the processing of immigration files to enable Olymel to hire their 1,200 workers.

Other

• MP Lehoux mentioned a letter from 40 foreign workers who had work permits and contracts with Olymel and were not arrived in Canada yet. He enquired if IRCC could facilitate their entry into Canada and allow them to find work for another employer. IRCC advised that should these foreign workers come within the next six months, they could apply to modify their work permit once in Canada. However, if they would come afterwards, they would have to submit a new request for another work permit.
• MP Taylor Roy asked officials if they had received any request from Olymel before their announcement of the closure. ESDC replied that Olymel indeed reached out to them a few days before the public announcement. MP Taylor Roy then asked if Olymel had reached out before making the decision to close their plant. AAFC advised that no official request was made to them.
• MP Taylor Roy enquired as to what the government could have made to affect the decision. AAFC advised that the support they provide is oriented towards the hog industry as a whole, such as public sustainability, innovation and making the system more resilient and competitive.
• MP McGregor highlighted contradicting statements given by the Olymel CEO and the union head at the Vallée-Jonction plant regarding the state of the processing plant. He also mentioned $40 million in public funds was not a grant but rather invested in Olymel. Beauchamp replied that the funds went to keep the operations running. He explained that the Vallée-Jonction processing plant was too costly to renovate and that other processing plants in Canada were as profitable.
• MP Gourde asked AAFC if pork exportations have an interesting future in the medium-long term. AAFC replied that despite the rise of vegetal protein, middle class in emerging economies may have a positive impact on consumption of animal protein.
• MP Valdez asked AAFC to share which steps the department took to address the situation. AAFC replied that it is actively working on that front, including improving the competitively of the industry as a whole.
• MP Savard-Tremblay asked Olymel if they believe there should be public investments in modernizing processing plants in the food industry. Beauchamp agreed, saying this would be useful for all sectors in the food industry while also supporting the farm industry.
• MP Steinley asked IRCC to table their data justifying the processing times for overseas workers (19:37:00)

Follow-ups (To be checked against transcript. Official tasking to follow.)

• LANG 60.1 IRCC to provide the data justifying the 24-day processing times for overseas workers (MP Steinley)
• LANG 60.2 IRCC to provide XYX (MP Godin)
• LANG 60.3 PCH to provide YYZ (MP Beaulieu)
• LANG 60.4 PCH to provide YOW (MP Drouin)
• LANG 60.5 IRCC to provide YUL (MP Ashton)

Report by Rebecca Pryce

Summary report

Information

Standing Committee on Official Languages (LANG)

Meeting 61 – Increased Francophone Immigration to Canada

May 12, 2023, 8:55 a.m. to 9:17 a.m.

Committee members*

*Members of the Committee present subject to change

BQ Mario Beaulieu (La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC)

NDP Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB)

CPC Joël Godin (Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC)

Bernard Généreux (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC)

Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton, ON)

LPC René Arseneault (Chair) (Madawaska—Restigouche, NB)

Francis Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON)

Angelo Iacono (Alfred-Pellan, QC)

Arielle Kayabaga (London West, ON)

Patricia Lattanzio (Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC)

Marc G. Serré (Nickel Belt, ON)

Witnesses

8:55 a.m. to 9:17 a.m.

Department of Citizenship and Immigration (IRCC)

Alain Desruisseaux, Director General, Francophone Immigration Policy and Official Languages

Olivier Jacques, Area Director, Southern Europe and Maghreb (by videoconference)

Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH)

Julie Boyer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Official Languages, Heritage and Regions

Sarah Boily, Director General, Official Languages

Highlights

• Three MPs did not pass the sound tests and, consequently, they were not allowed to speak during the meeting: Marc G. Serré, Niki Ashton and Marilyn Gladu.
• As a result, the committee decided to postpone this meeting and adjourned.

Report by Charles-Aimé Côté, IRCC Parliamentary Affairs

Summary report

Meeting briefing

Standing Committee on Official Languages (LANG)

Meeting 63 – Increased Francophone Immigration to Canada

June 9, 2023, 8:50 a.m. to 10:37 a.m.

Committee members*

*Members present subject to change

BQ Mario Beaulieu (La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC)

NDP Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB)

CPC Joël Godin (Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC)

Bernard Généreux (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC)

Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton, ON)

LPC René Arseneault (Chair) (Madawaska—Restigouche, NB)

Francis Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON)

Angelo Iacono (Alfred-Pellan, QC)

Arielle Kayabaga (London West, ON)

Patricia Lattanzio (Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, QC)

Marc G. Serré (Nickel Belt, ON)

Witnesses present

Department of Citizenship and Immigration

• Alain Desruisseaux, Director General, Francophone Immigration Policy and Official Languages
• Olivier Jacques, Area Director, Southern Europe and Maghreb (by videoconference)

Department of Canadian Heritage

• Julie Boyer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Official Languages, Heritage and Regions
• Sarah Boily, Director General, Official Languages

Highlights

• The main topics of discussion were Francophone immigration to Canada, initiatives to increase Francophone immigration and the low acceptance rate of Francophone immigrants from Africa.
• The tone of the meeting was generally cordial.
• Seven commitments arose from this appearance. Full details at the end of the report.
• The meeting adjourned with the adoption of a motion to invite the Minister of Immigration to appear as part of this study.

Summary

Opening remarks

IRCC made two speeches, each on a different topic. First, the Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration in Dieppe, New Brunswick, was discussed. It was explained that the goal of this centre was to capitalize on the expertise of Francophone minority communities (FMCs) and to facilitate their involvement in testing innovative projects with key partners in order to resolve barriers to Francophone immigration. IRCC added that the Centre would strengthen the Francophone lens in immigration programs and make immigration programs more accessible in order to increase the number of Francophone candidates selected.

The second speech focused on the Destination Canada Mobility Forum, an event promoting Francophone immigration. Its objective is to raise awareness of Francophone communities across Canada and of federal and provincial immigration programs for people planning to live and work in Canada. IRCC brought up the recent successes of the program, owing in part to going virtual, and presented the plan for the upcoming editions of the event.

Questions and interventions by committee members focused on the following topics:

Initiatives related to Francophone immigration

• MP Godin asked for clarification on the opening date of the Dieppe centre. IRCC confirmed that the centre has been preparing to launch since 2022, noting that the centre is not an immigration case processing centre.
• MP Samson asked which private company does immigration recruitment. IRCC replied that there is no such company at this time and that the Department manages these types of operations.
• MP Beaulieu asked whether IRCC had a mandate to help Quebec recruit more Francophone immigrants. IRCC replied that the Department works closely with the Government of Quebec, adding that IRCC could help the province recruit abroad, citing Quebec Abroad Day.
• MP Beaulieu mentioned that many temporary students are turned away in Quebec, citing a Radio-Canada article indicating that in 2021, the Department turned down 72% of African applicants who accepted into Quebec universities. IRCC replied that every file is analyzed on a case-by-case basis, depending on its merits, and that the same criteria are applied to every case. IRCC added that the approval rate for study permit applications from clients from African countries who want to come to Quebec is comparable to that of other Canadian provinces.
• MP Gladu mentioned the points system to promote Francophone immigration and asked whether more points should be awarded to Francophone immigrants. IRCC replied that increasing Francophone immigration is at the heart of IRCC’s intention and that the points system is one of a number of measures to promote it, alongside the Express Entry initiative.
• MP Lalonde highlighted IRCC’s constant efforts to reach the target of 4.4% outside Quebec and asked about the measures that have been taken to help restore demographic weight. IRCC mentioned the Action Plan for Official Languages, major investments and several other measures behind this success.
• MP Lalonde mentioned the foreign credential recognition process for health care professionals trained abroad.
• MP Beaulieu asked IRCC to elaborate on the higher refusal rate in Quebec compared to other provinces. IRCC reiterated that its data instead indicates that the refusal rate is equivalent to that of other provinces. IRCC then elaborated on the three main factors behind refusal rates, namely incidences of fraud, study applications made in good faith and access to funds to support settlement.
• MP Godin asked IRCC to specifically describe the immigration process from the perspective of an IRCC client. IRCC succinctly described the process, stating that it is based on clients’ individual qualifications. A written response was subsequently requested for an immigration application deadline table for the six main categories of applicants.
• MP Kayabaga highlighted the Action Plan for Official Languages and asked how the investments in this plan would help organizations on the ground with regard to Francophone immigration. IRCC replied that some of these measures would enable the Department to further integrate its priority into all its programming and elaborated on the main measures.
• MP Ashton mentioned the different refusal rates based on applications from certain countries and asked whether IRCC has a double standard. IRCC stated that all applications, whether Francophone or Anglophone, are evaluated according to the same standardized criteria.
• MP Ashton mentioned the labour shortage, mainly in the education field, and asked what IRCC could do to solve this situation. IRCC discussed the corridor for the selection and retention of teachers in Canada.
• MP Dalton cited a mismatch between the country’s real labour needs and the profiles of selected candidates. IRCC replied that this program works well overall and that round tables are in place to keep an eye on changing needs, adding that when immigration plans are made, a range of partners are consulted.
• MP Dalton cited a previous witness at committee who said that 85% of immigrants do not work in their field of expertise, which is a loss for their country and a waste for Canada. IRCC replied that it is important that the information about opportunities in Canada is clear and that candidates have a duty to inform themselves. MP Dalton added that there are reportedly 20,000 doctors and 30,000 nurses who are not working in Canada.
• MP Iacono asked about the degree of collaboration between the Canadian government and the provinces on Francophone immigration. IRCC explained that this work is already underway and that the Department is very engaged with the governments of Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec.
• MP Arsenault asked IRCC to provide details on the three main reasons for refusing Francophone students and to add other reasons if they were important enough. MP Arsenault asked for more details about the exact reasons for refusal, how IRCC identified these reasons and how bad faith is determined by a processing officer.

Francophone immigration from Africa

• MP Godin stated that the main problem with Francophone immigration is nature of the system, criticizing its administrative burden. MP Godin asked what is currently being done to speed up processing and respond to companies facing labour shortages. IRCC replied that the Department has added resources to respond to this demand, noting that 67 new positions have been created in Africa since 2018 and two new visa offices have been opened.
• MP Gladu asked what resources IRCC would need to increase its operations in Africa, like the Destination Canada Mobility Forum. IRCC did not have time to respond.
• MP Iacono asked where Canada’s largest pool of potential Francophone immigrants is located and what measures are being taken to promote Canada to Francophone populations in these countries? IRCC replied that this country is Cameroon and that its efforts include marketing activities, virtual and in-person sessions promoting Canada and the Destination Canada Mobility Forum. IRCC continued by giving the top five Francophone countries: Cameroon, France, Morocco, Algeria and Congo.
• MP Ashton asked how IRCC could increase its consular services in Cameroon, citing this important pool for Canada. IRCC indicated that it opened a visa office in this country in 2022, recognizing the importance of this pool.
• MP Arsenault asked for details on the areas of French-speaking Africa where IRCC should improve its services related to immigration applications.

Others

• MP Samson asked IRCC how its past Francophone immigration strategy worked. IRCC replied the Francophone immigration strategy was implemented in 2018 and focused on promotion and recruitment. This strategy, however, was based mainly on the settlement of newcomers.
• MP Samson asked IRCC to submit a document indicating what has been accomplished in the last year in terms of Francophone immigration.
• MP Gladu asked whether the federal government is taking steps to improve the recognition of foreign studies. IRCC replied that this was a recurring theme in its public consultations and that it was an issue affecting several departments, as well as the provinces.
• MP Beaulieu cited a Radio-Canada article on the foreign student refusal rate (link in French only) and asked IRCC to provide data on the refusal rates for Francophone immigrant students in Quebec compared with other provinces.
• MP Gladu asked IRCC to submit to the clerk with a list of best practices in other areas of the world that IRCC may want to take on.
• MP Kayabaga asked whether the Chinook tool puts Francophone applicants at a disadvantage and what could be done to change the situation. It was concluded that the Department could submit a written response to this question.
• MP Ashton asked whether high application fees could explain the lower demand from less affluent countries. IRCC replied that raising the initial amount for processing the application, along with the minimum capital to immigrate, can sometimes be more difficult.

The committee continued its discussion on the motion by MP Godin:

That, in relation to the study on increased Francophone immigration to Canada, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship be invited to appear for a full hour.

The Committee voted unanimously on the motion.

Action items (To be verified with the official transcript. Formal assignment of the tasks to follow.)

• LANG 63.1 Submit a document indicating what has been accomplished at IRCC in the last year. (MP Samson) (9:15:42)
• LANG 63.2 Submit a list of best practices in other areas of the world that IRCC may want to take on. (MP Gladu) (9:38:35)
• LANG 63.3 Submit a response regarding the Chinook system and whether it puts Francophone applicants at a disadvantage. If this is the case, submit suggestions for changing the situation. (MP Kayabaga) (9:58:01).
• LANG 63.4 Submit an immigration application deadline table for the six main categories of applicants, from the perspective of an immigrant. (9:59:09) (9:49:50)
• LANG 63.5 Submit data on refusal rates for Francophone students in Quebec compared to other provinces. (MP Beaulieu) (10:21:47)
• LANG 63.6 Submit details on the three main reasons for refusing Francophone students and add other reasons if they are important enough. Detail the exact reasons for refusal, how IRCC identified these reasons and how bad faith is determined by a processing officer. (MP Arsenault) (10:26:00)
• LANG 63.7 Submit a list of areas in Francophone Africa where IRCC should improve its services related to immigration applications. (MP Arsenault) (10:27:00)

Summary report prepared by Charles-Aimé Côté, IRCC Parliamentary Affairs

Summary Report

Meeting Information

Standing Committee on Official Languages (LANG)

Meeting No. 64 – Increased Francophone Immigration to Canada (first hour) and Annual Report 2022-23 of the Commissioner of Official Languages (second hour)

June 16, 2023 from 8:52 a.m. to 10:47 a.m.

Committee Members*

*Members present for this meeting is subject to change

BQ Mario Beaulieu (La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC)

NDP Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB)

CPC Joël Godin (Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC)

Marc Dalton (Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC)

Dominique Vien (Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis)

Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia—Lambton, ON)

Gérard Deltell (Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC)

LPC René Arseneault (Chair) (Madawaska—Restigouche, NB)

Francis Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON)

Angelo Iacono (Alfred-Pellan, QC)

Darrell Samson (Sackville – Preston – Chezzetcook, NS)

Marie-France Lalonde (Orléans, ON)

Witnesses Present

8:52 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.

Centre francophone du grand Toronto

• Florence Ngenzebuhoro, Chief Executive Officer
• Aissa Nauthoo, Vice-President

Division scolaire franco-manitobaine

• Alain Laberge, Executive Director

Québec International

• Marie-Josée Chouinard, Vice-President, International Talents and Foreign Investment

9:53 a.m. to 10:47 a.m.

Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages

• Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages
• Pierre Leduc, Assistant Commissioner, Policy and Communications Branch
• Isabelle Gervais, Assistant Commissioner, Compliance Assurance Branch
• Pascale Giguère, General Counsel, Legal Affairs Branch

Takeaways

• Discussions focused on improving settlement services for French-speaking newcomers, the importance of recruiting French-speaking teachers and early childhood educators, and increasing francophone immigration to address labour shortages.
• The tone of the meeting was cordial.

Summary

Opening remarks by the witnesses focused on challenges faced by newcomers, using immigration to address labour scarcity issues, and the role of francophone immigration in encouraging French education outside of Quebec. Florence Ngenzebuhoro identified challenges faced by newcomers in Toronto and recommended an integrated service approach to facilitate access and navigation for Francophone newcomers throughout the entire immigration process. Marie-Josée Chouinard highlighted challenged faced by employers attempting to recruit international talent including high visa rejection rates from French-speaking African countries and long processing times. Alain Laberge focused on the need to be proactive rather than reactive in addressing labour and immigration needs.

The Commissioner of Official Languages provided opening remarks that focused on the 2022-23 Annual Report of the Commissioner of Official Languages and the need to aim for a more ambitious francophone immigration target outside of Quebec, as well as the need to improve settlement and integration services for French-speaking newcomers.

Questions and interventions by committee members focused on the following topics:

Settlement Services for French-speaking Newcomers

• MP Iacono asked what barriers are faced by newcomers integrating into society in the Greater Toronto Area.
  • Florence Ngenzebuhoro discussed the housing crisis, lack of information on settlement and immigration services, lack of educational options in French, and the language barrier faced by immigrants who are highly qualified but who only speak French and are unable to find work.
• MP Beaulieu questioned if the federal government funds programs for French-speaking immigrants in Quebec.
  • Marie-Josée Chouinard answered that the Ministry of Immigration coordinates settlement support in Quebec with funding transferred from the federal government to the Quebec government.
• MP Beaulieu asked the best way to ensure French-speaking immigrants do not lose their francophone identify when arriving in a city such as Toronto where French is not widely spoken.
  • The Centre francophone du grand Toronto is currently developing a village or neighbourhood that could serve as a common spot for francophones in the Toronto area.
• MP Beaulieu asked if French-speaking newcomers from Africa would have more difficulties settling in areas where French is not spoken as much.
  • The Commissioner of Official Languages responded that the intake and settlement tools made available to newcomers would determine if they survive in a new community.

French-speaking Educators

• MP Ashton asked how important it is to prioritize recruitment of French-speaking teachers. She also asked about the need for early childhood educators and daycare staff.
  • Alain Laberge explained that the school is often the hub of the community for life in French. He said the skills recognition process needs to be improved so newcomers can work without repeating education they have already completed abroad.
• MP Samson talked about the importance of daycares for French children to provide an early start to French learning.
• MP Ashton asked the importance of having a strategy for recruitment of French-speaking education workers.
  • The Commissioner of Official Languages said that we should focus on recruiting teachers and early childhood educators in the same way that we have recruited international nurses.

Increasing Francophone Immigration for Economic Reasons

• MP Godin asked what the negative impact of not having access to francophone immigration is for businesses in Quebec.
  • The witness from Québec International shared the results of a recent survey they conducted which found over 80% of employers were seeing slower growth due to labour shortages, and some businesses had to turn down expansion opportunities because they didn’t have staff.
• MP Iacono asked what the most effective measures in attracting French-speaking immigrants are. He also asked what the biggest challenges are.
  • Marie-Josée Chouinard stated that businesses do better when they have support before, during, and after the international recruitment process. She explained that some barriers are constant regulatory changes and the need for more support throughout the process, which she recommended should be provided by grassroots stakeholders such as Québec International.

Other

• MP Godin requested elaboration on the competition that takes place between Canada’s embassies abroad and the steps Quebec is taking to increase francophone immigration.
  • Marie-Josée Chouinard explained that Canadian embassies do not act in a consistent fashion and it would be in everyone’s interest to promote Canada and Quebec together. She said that although Quebec is mandated to make its own immigration decisions, the federal and provincial governments should coordinate to act strategically to improve immigration outcomes.
• MP Beaulieu voiced concerns about the process of temporary immigration in Quebec and the possibility there is confusion or increased costs when working with both the federal government and the province of Quebec.
  • The witness from Québec International stated this issue would be case-dependant, but that there would be benefits in streamlining the process because it is complicated for employers who have to navigate both the Quebec and Canada systems.
• MP Beaulieu asked what proportion of francophone immigration is directed to small communities in Manitoba with large concentrations of francophones and what proportion goes to Winnipeg where the assimilation rate is higher.
  • Alain Laberge said that 4% of immigrants to Manitoba are French-speaking and 0.6% go to Francophone villages, while the other 3.4% go to Manitoba.
• MP Lalonde mentioned Bill C-13 and the obligations it creates for francophone immigration policy and asked what impacts this will have.
  • The Commissioner of Official Languages explained that this is important to ensure the development of official language communities and that this obligation will help develop policy and francophone strategy when it comes to immigration.
• MP Beaulieu and MP Dalton asked what the Commissioner of Official Languages would suggest as an acceptable target for francophone immigration outside Quebec. MP Gladu asked the barriers to reaching higher targets.
  • He responded that the target should be at least doubled from the current 4.4% and could be as high as 12%.
  • The Commissioner of Official Languages listed some obstacles to reaching targets including where Canada recruits newcomers and the need to focus more on French-speaking African countries, increasing efficiency, having a language component for all immigration programs, and increasing funding for settlement services.

Report By: Rebecca Pryce, IRCC Parliamentary Affairs