Evidence of meeting #16 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was manitoba.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good morning to you all.
My question is addressed to the people from Nova Scotia.
What is the assimilation rate, the rate of loss of French, in your province?
9:35 a.m.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program Officer, Office of Immigration, Government of Nova Scotia
I apologize, but I don't have that percentage. However, I can say that it is obvious that there is assimilation going on.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
So you acknowledge that there is assimilation.
Can you tell me how the Nominee Program will help to counter that assimilation?
9:35 a.m.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program Officer, Office of Immigration, Government of Nova Scotia
It should be specified that the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse and two other francophone organizations receive funds from the Office of Immigration. I should have specified that to Mr. Bélanger earlier. These organizations offer settlement and reception services to francophone newcomers. I think that it is important to concentrate on promotion and recruitment. However, settlement and integration services for the francophone community are services that allow newcomers to integrate well. Those are concrete services they receive when they arrive.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
As to employability, what can you guarantee to newcomers who want to work in French in Nova Scotia?
9:35 a.m.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program Officer, Office of Immigration, Government of Nova Scotia
In Nova Scotia, there are very few jobs that don't require at the very least a knowledge of English. Newcomers must be aware of that reality. That is part of the information that must be provided to them before they arrive. Francophone organizations such as Direction emploi and the Conseil de développement économique work together with francophone and Acadian employers. The objective is to make the available jobs known but also to encourage Acadian employers to hire immigrants and make them aware of the advantages that immigration can bring to their business or organization.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
In Nova Scotia, can a newcomer register his or her children in an English-language school anywhere in your area?
9:35 a.m.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program Officer, Office of Immigration, Government of Nova Scotia
In an English-language school, yes.
9:35 a.m.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program Officer, Office of Immigration, Government of Nova Scotia
There are criteria.
9:35 a.m.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program Officer, Office of Immigration, Government of Nova Scotia
Yes, the provincial Acadian school board covers all of Nova Scotia and there are French-language schools everywhere.
9:35 a.m.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program Officer, Office of Immigration, Government of Nova Scotia
...Baie Sainte-Marie, for instance, there are schools.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
So they can register their children in these schools anywhere in the province. Transportation will be guaranteed and so forth?
9:35 a.m.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program Officer, Office of Immigration, Government of Nova Scotia
Yes. There are Acadian schools.
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
My comments will now be addressed to the representatives from Manitoba.
Good morning.
What is the rate of assimilation, of loss of French, in Manitoba?
9:35 a.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Immigration Division, Department of Labour and Immigration, Government of Manitoba
I will respond in English and then I'll let Colin elaborate in French.
I don't know that we have a rate of assimilation. In the context section, you can see the difference in percentage. Some of that is related to the increase we've had on the anglophone side of immigration, but our situation in some ways is similar to Nova Scotia's, in that the main language of the workplace in Manitoba is English, so—
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
If I understand correctly what you are saying to me, Mr. Rempel, you don't know if there is assimilation, a decrease in the francophone population in Manitoba.
Does Mr. Lemoine have something to say in this regard?
May 11th, 2010 / 9:35 a.m.
Colin Lemoine Policy and Program Analyst, Immigration Division, Department of Labour and Immigration, Government of Manitoba
The 2006 census showed a decline in the percentage of francophones in Manitoba. There is assimilation in Manitoba. The anglophone population has also increased. So it is a bit of both. There is a decline in the French-speaking population and an increase in the English-speaking population. So the proportion has decreased. That is why we—
9:35 a.m.
Bloc
Richard Nadeau Bloc Gatineau, QC
The official languages commissioner praised the immigration program, the objective of which is to increase the proportion of francophone immigrants to 7% of the number of immigrants that are received on an annual basis by Manitoba, whereas francophones represent about 4% of the province's population. Does the immigration program help to combat assimilation? Can you expand on this a little?
9:35 a.m.
Policy and Program Analyst, Immigration Division, Department of Labour and Immigration, Government of Manitoba
It increases the vitality of the francophone communities. The 7% target is a long-term objective, a broad proportion. We are not there yet but it increases the vitality of our communities.
