OLLO – Summary Report - Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages – February 6, 2023

Date and time: April 25, 2022 / 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Videoconference (hybrid and in-person and zoom)

Report prepared by:
Mélodie Terracol, Cabinet and Parliamentary Affairs
Canadian Heritage
melodie.terracol@pch.gc.ca

Committee Members

René Cormier (ISG) (Chair)
Bernadette Clement (ISG)
Marie-Françoise Mégie (ISG)
Lucie Moncion (ISG)
Percy Mockler (C)
Rose-May Poirier (C)
Jean-Guy Dagenais (CSG)
Pierre J. Dalphond (PSG)
Raymonde Gagné (Non-affiliated)

Subject  :

Study matters relating to Francophone immigration to minority communities

Witnesses

Société de la francophonie manitobaine

• Bintou Sacko, Director, Accueil francophone

Société Nationale de l'Acadie

• Martin Théberge, President
• Véronique Mallet, Executive Director

Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario

• Carol Jolin, President
• Peter Hominuk, Executive Director

Société de l'Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick

• Alexandre Cédric Doucet, Chair
• Ali Chiasson, Executive Director

Summary

Société de la francophonie manitobaine

Bintou Sacko, Director, Accueil francophone

• Target for Francophone immigrants settling outside Quebec
  • Government must have a clear policy
  • Measures to make it easier for international students to obtain visas
  • Increased capacity for processing immigration applications, particularly from Francophone countries in sub-Saharan Africa

• Ways to increase support for the sector and its objectives
  • Francophone reception declines every year
  • Strengthening with specific measures: funding, targeted programs and employee retention in the sector
  • Agreement/strategy for engaging the province (i.e., Manitoba)

Société Nationale de l'Acadie

Martin Théberge, President
Véronique Mallet, Executive Director

• It is essential for the government to develop a diplomacy strategy
• International students represent 1/3 of Francophone immigration in Atlantic Canada, but the majority of applications are rejected. The credential recognition system is a barrier to immigration.
• Our communities are unaware of the impact of Francophone immigration.
• Solutions:
  • The federal government should immediately examine why students are being rejected.

Etc.

Rose-May Poirier (C)

• Mr. Théberge, in your opinion, why has the target not been met? What are the effects on Acadian communities?
  • We are acting in a vacuum, we do not look at cultural and diplomatic factors. We need programs designed for Francophones. Acadia is simply not well known outside Canada. The issue of retention is also important.
• Has the government contacted you to give your opinion on the unmet target and solutions?
  • Since October 3, the answer is no.
• Does the rest of Canada know enough about the Canadian Francophonie outside Quebec?
  • People know very little about Acadia. We need to stop thinking in a vacuum. We must be able to do our own promotion.

Jean-Guy Dagenais (CSG)

• Ms. Sacko, do you think that the legislation to reform the Official Languages Act will really change anything?
  • We need to expand the pool and adopt strategies to recruit as many Francophones as possible. We need resources to put the initiatives in place.
• Mr. Théberge, what are the administrative problems and do you think the targets set by the provinces, including Ottawa, are achievable?
  • The government must work with them to find middle ground.
  • We have a study under way and we could share the results.
  • We need to work with the communities, the established organizations, and the provincial and federal governments.

Marie-Françoise Mégie (ISG)

• Mr. Théberge or Ms. Sacko, at what level do you think you have to act to be able to expand the presence of recruiters in the major pool, preferably Africans?
  • Question of diplomacy
• Was the diplomatic strategy shut down for a lack of funding?
  • The program was shut down by the government 15 years ago.
  • More promotional activities are needed, particularly in Africa.

Raymonde Gagné (Non-affiliated)

• Ms. Sacko, the statistics are impressive. What factors contribute to the settlement of Francophone immigrants in minority communities? What is Manitoba doing to retain them?
  • The way services are structured.
  • Strategic partnerships
  • Looking for accommodation in or near the Francophone community.
• Mr. Théberge, what factors can support or undermine retention?
  • The Atlantic provinces are the worst in terms of retention due to the economic factor (employment problem) and the language factor.

Lucie Moncion (ISG)

• Ms. Sacko, could you tell us about targeting in relation to employment?
  • We have a structure to support immigrants to help them integrate into the community. Most people find a job in their field within three months.
• Mr. Théberge, limited access to recruitment offices in African countries.
  • The embassy that processes African files is overloaded and there is a shortage of staff.
  • Study applications denied for many students, who then have their residence application denied.

Pierre J. Dalphond (PSG)

• Do you have any conclusive evidence to show that the problem of rejected student and permanent residence applications is also a problem for Anglophone universities? A systemic phenomenon or specific to Francophones?
  • I do not have the data right now, but there is a retention problem. The data can be shared after.
  • We do not have any statistics either. But there are stories that demonstrate the problem.

Percy Mockler (C)

• We see that in C-13, there are no official mechanisms with the provinces and territories. Why has no one taken the time to consult you?
  • There are consultations in some departments, but not enough.
  • There are consultations, but there is also the issue of accountability.
• How can Bill C-13 have more influence on Francophone immigration across the country?
  • The duty to consult is a good measure, but there is also a duty to implement by, for and with the community.

Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario

Carol Jolin, President
Peter Hominuk, Executive Director

• Immigration is a priority in Ontario.
• There is a federal-provincial-territorial action plan.
• The government must not only meet the targets, but exceed them. Could improve the permit-granting system for international students, open visa offices in sub-Saharan Africa, increase the number of immigrants that the province may select.

Société de l'Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick

Alexandre Cédric Doucet, President
Ali Chiasson, Executive Director

• We encourage the committee to recommend that the federal government negotiate an agreement with NB that reflects the linguistic and constitutional specificity of the province and representatives of both official language communities.
• Increased number of immigrants = increased funding for settlement and integration services.

Rose-May Poirier (C)

Mr. Doucet, I would like to understand what is happening on the ground. What is the situation in Acadia? What are the obstacles? What is the retention situation right now?

I do not have the retention figures with me, but when the provincial government has acquired gained more powers and funds, it will be able to ensure retention.

Does the requirement of speaking English in Newfoundland also exist in New Brunswick?

Raymonde Gagné (Non-affiliated)

• Are you able to comment on your provinces’ agreements that include language clauses, and what do you suggest to improve cooperation between IRCC and the provincial departments responsible for immigration?
  • A lot of work is needed to improve cooperation.
  • There are no language clauses in the agreement with New Brunswick.

René Cormier (ISG)

• What is the province’s specific responsibility for carrying out the constitutional obligation and how can New Brunswick achieve the targets you want?
  • It is also a federal responsibility.

Jean-Guy Dagenais (CSG)

• Do you think the choice of Ontario is based more on language or greater job opportunities? Do you monitor the level of satisfaction with French-language services that immigrants receive or do they use English-language services because they are faster?
• How will the billions in funding announced by Ford be used for French-language child care services, and do you think it will be in proportion to the demographic weight of Francophones?
  • Our job is to ensure that there is a Francophone focus. The main barrier is the shortage of Francophone staff.

Bernadette Clement (ISG)

• In terms of the Pearson reception project, could it be expanded it to other reception sites? Are universities and colleges truly full partners with governments?
  • Pearson was a pilot project and is a success. I would definitely like to see this type of reception and welcome in Ottawa and other places.
  • To my knowledge, I do not believe that the government is involved with colleges and universities on recruitment strategies.

Lucie Moncion (ISG)

• What types of initiatives are there at colleges and universities in your provinces?

Percy Mockler (C)

• In the spirit of decisions by a judge, if the federal government were to appeal the decision or refer it to the Supreme Court, what impact could that have on the constitutional linguistic uniqueness of New Brunswick, and how could that be related to immigration overall?
• Assuming that Bill C-13 is passed as is, what positive impact could it have on the linguistic minority in New Brunswick, and what would the impact be in the other provinces?

René Cormier (ISG)

• On the issue of language clauses. In your opinion, how important is it to include language clauses in Bill C-13?
  • It is very important, but we cannot overlook the fact that we currently have a minority government. The issue of language clauses could be included in the regulations if they cannot be obtained in the amendments to Bill C-13.