Official Languages Committee on Dec. 11th, 2023

[Étienne Alary]

Yes. I would even say that we often have delegations at our annual business meeting, which is our flagship event in francophone entrepreneurship in Alberta. It's often a great opportunity for discovery for our entrepreneurs and for francophone business people in Quebec. For example, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec came last year and wants to come back this year. We want to encourage that exchange.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you very much, Mr. Alary.

Go ahead, Mr. Beaulieu. You have six minutes.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to thank our guests for being here and sharing their knowledge with us.

The mission of the Société de la francophonie manitobaine is to demand from all levels of government the right to communicate and flourish in French, as well as to ensure that a full range of services are offered in French. I'd like to know where things stand.

Do all francophones have access to services in French or is it a minority?

Furthermore, how does the provision of services in French affect the economic development of francophone communities in Alberta and Manitoba?

This question is for both organizations.

[Daniel Boucher]

Basically, the answer is no, but I would add that we are in the process of preparing arguments here and there to ensure an increase in the offer of services in French, since that has quite a significant economic impact. We have to realize that people often want to live in French, especially in rural areas, and it's important that they have access to services in French, to French‑language schools and to things that allow them to live in French in their community.

For us, it's work that bears fruit, but it's also work that must be done over the long term. Given the assimilation rates and injustices of the past, there was work to be done to rebuild this entire relationship. However, I think that the current approach is the right one and that we are making progress with respect to French‑languages services. The City of Winnipeg has just announced that it is conducting a comprehensive review of its services in French, with a view to improving them, not reducing them, of course. So it's very encouraging.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Is there anything to be said about that in terms of the organizations in Alberta?

[Étienne Alary]

There is no doubt that services in French are evolving. A new francophone policy was put in place in 2018 by the provincial government. So this is brand new. We're working very hard with our organization representing the Albertan francophonie, the ACFA, to ensure the full influence of the francophonie in all spheres, not just in urban areas, but in rural areas too.

As I said in my opening remarks, to be even more relevant, we're connecting with another organization to better serve our community, because there are often overlapping services in the community. We believe that coming together like this can only benefit the Franco‑Albertan community.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

Earlier, we heard from representatives of a Quebec organization who gave us a very detailed picture of the situation of anglophones, particularly in economic terms. Are there any such studies in Alberta that can give us an overview of the economic situation of francophones, but also of the province in general? In the past, some studies have shown that there has been growth in the economic development of francophones, but that was because they worked in English.

Are there any studies that give us an overview of the situation?

[Étienne Alary]

As my counterpart from Manitoba mentioned in his presentation, we would probably benefit from more studies in this area. He cited a Conference Board of Canada study. Our national network, RDEE Canada, wants to work with the francophonie network, in this case the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, in order to better equip our community.

Obviously, we have conclusive data, but the fact remains that these are general data from Statistics Canada. According to this data, in 2021, there were 6,800 businesses in Alberta that said they were bilingual, or where at least 50% of the owners were French‑speaking. This is a basic figure, but I think a more in‑depth study would allow us to determine the real economic impact.

I don't know if Mr. Boucher would like to add anything.

[Daniel Boucher]

We can't work towards the future without really knowing what the current situation is and what the trends are. For us, it's crucial to have evidence that reflects the reality and gives us the real picture of the situation, because that is what enables us to develop our strategies for the future. That is very important, and it's entirely consistent with the way things are done.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

I think that's even more important in your situation. Indeed, given that there are relatively few francophones left, a great deal of effort has to be made to maintain that presence.

What do you think of the famous principle that services should be offered where numbers warrant? For example, have you seen cases in your communities where a decline in French has led to cuts in services?

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

I would ask you to answer the question in 30 seconds.

[Daniel Boucher]

That's not necessarily the case, because different governments have different obligations and they have to honour them. The federal government has obligations, the province has obligations and the municipalities also have obligations, including the City of Winnipeg.

In our case, it's not so much an argument that we use. We often talk about staff or personnel, for example. We're in the process of developing strategies to ensure that staff and human resources are in place in key locations to deliver services.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you very much, Mr. Boucher.

I now give the floor to Ms. Ashton from the NDP, who is joining us by videoconference from Manitoba, for six minutes.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Thank you to the witnesses. I am obviously very pleased that the committee is hearing today from people from Manitoba, in this case from representatives of the Société de la francophonie manitobaine.

Welcome, Mr. Boucher and Ms. Cassie. My questions are for you.

As you know, the purpose of the committee is to make recommendations to the federal government so that it can put the necessary measures in place.

Mr. Boucher, in your opening remarks, you talked about all the work done by the Société de la francophonie manitobaine and by communities across the country, through the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, to improve and strengthen the bill to reform the Official Languages Act. I would also like to thank you for the work you have done. However, you also expressed concern about the delay in implementing the bill, and more specifically about the impact of this delay on core funding for francophone minority organizations.

What does that mean to you? What kind of recommendations do you have for us so that we can shorten that time frame?

[Daniel Boucher]

Basically, I think everything has been put in place. The action plan for official languages and the act are there. It's unfortunate that there's a delay because it may interfere with the operations of a number of organizations. In fact, it may even lead to job losses in some cases.

For example, we can talk about direct federal programs, as well as the agreements between the federal government and the provinces and territories that I mentioned. These programs and agreements are known for their constant delays, mainly because we have to negotiate with the provinces. This is a major problem for us, and we've seen organizations that have had to shut down their activities with the communities. That is one of our major, and even very significant, concerns.

People may not realize the impact that our organizations have on the development of our communities culturally or economically, or in all sectors. We are concerned about that.

I'll use health as an example. Health is an important area, and delays cause problems. The health care system in the provinces is very cumbersome, which means that, by adding this complexity, we can have to wait months and months to obtain services. These things are just not acceptable.

My recommendation would be to find a way to speed up the process as soon as possible.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Okay. Thank you.

Our study is on economic development. However, it's always linked to education and access. Here, in Manitoba and in the west, our francophone school boards are facing a major labour shortage in the fields of education, early childhood and French immersion.

Do you have an opinion or a recommendation in that regard? Is it important for the federal government to take action on this labour shortage, obviously in partnership with the provinces and the organizations that deal with it?

[Daniel Boucher]

I'll try to answer your question very quickly. My colleagues from Alberta can add to that.

With regard to education, as well as health, one of the things that would be really important is to speed up the certification process for teachers, who come from all over. We're seeing shortages across Canada. Of course, we can't necessarily take from one to give to the other, but the francophone immigration rate is very high here in Manitoba. It's still not high enough, but it's still high.

We're asking that the federal government play a certain role in this area in co‑operation with the provinces, but also with the professional associations. I know this is a provincial jurisdiction, but I think there needs to be a constant update on the importance of speeding up the accreditation processes so that we can actually get people into the systems, because the current situation doesn't make sense.

I personally know a number of people who are perfectly capable of teaching in our schools but who don't have the necessary certification. I think that's a big part of the problem.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Do you think child care services contribute to the economic development of our communities?

[Daniel Boucher]

I absolutely do.

I think that's where economic development starts. We live in a society that has evolved enormously in terms of family and the way we work outside, among other things.

These French‑language child care services are essential. We think this can never be emphasized enough. These services also an important economic lever because they allow family members to work outside at their own pace. It's really important for us.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you very much.

If I had more time, I would have put that question to the other witnesses.

Mr. Boucher, are you concerned about the budget cuts at Radio‑Canada and their impact on francophone communities here, in Manitoba, and across the country?

[Daniel Boucher]

I'm very concerned.

I think Radio‑Canada is part of our daily lives. The more its budget is cut, the less communication in French will be possible. For us, this is essential.

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you very much, Mr. Boucher.

Since we're disciplined, we have time for a full second round.

Mrs. Goodridge, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you very much.

Thank you to all the witnesses for being here today. It's absolutely extraordinary to welcome to the Standing Committee on Official Languages an entire group of witnesses from western Canada, especially Albertans. It's quite rare. We generally hear from people in Ontario and Quebec, and we don't always hear from Albertans. So I'll take advantage of that.

Mr. Alary or Ms. Brosseau, can you talk a little bit about the tourism projects you're working on in Alberta? What effect does that have on small communities?

[Étienne Alary]

I can start and Ms. Brosseau can add some information.

I spoke earlier about the impact on our entrepreneurs of creating savings or seeing artisans at work. This allows, for example, a francophone cheese maker from Vermilion, a small community, to increase the number of visitors through the economuseum concept.

The economuseum concept, which originated in Quebec, is an international network that has established itself in western Canada. We have five right now. A sixth is being built. What's interesting about this concept is that even an anglophone entrepreneur, who would see the added value of bilingualism, could decide to create an economuseum if the criteria were met. Afterwards, all signage in front of the business or on the building would be bilingual.

I'll give you an example of an economuseum in Calgary. It's the Bridgeland Distillery, which has some products that are recognized around the world. Everything is bilingual in the neighbourhood where the distillery is located. This is an advantage for the francophonie.

The economuseum also represents a great added value to the tourism industry in rural areas. Obviously, I mentioned Calgary, but the other economuseums are in rural areas, and they belong to francophone entrepreneurs who believe in them. It's a beautiful showcase that's part of a bilingual tourism route project, which must allow visitors, when they arrive in Alberta, to find a good tourist route. They can go from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and come back through Cold Lake. They are offered suggestions of things to do for two or three days. A whole host of services are offered.

Ms. Brosseau, do you want to talk about municipalities?

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

I want to add something quickly before I ask Ms. Brosseau some questions.

As the member of Parliament for Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, I often make short stops when I travel between Fort McMurray and Cold Lake.

There are signs in the various francophone and bilingual businesses. People know then that it's possible to obtain services in French. A lot of people stop, especially with these signs. This is the case in the hamlet of Plamondon, in Bonnyville, in Lac la Biche, in St. Paul and in Cold Lake. There are many francophone or bilingual businesses.

Ms. Brosseau, could you tell us about how things are done in rural areas?