Official Languages committee  Correct.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  I can't speak to that issue, because what I know is that MAGMA and CAFi are well funded. Certainly, as a municipality we would welcome any federal support in terms of our efforts. Why did the municipality get involved in immigration? Because we feel that there's a void there. We're not getting the results we need.

Official Languages committee  In part, and that's part of the issue, but really, that CIC office was there to take applications and manage relationships. Now people have to drive to Fredericton, which is an hour and a half away. It's not that helpful. We're trying to fill the void ourselves now.

Official Languages committee  That would be false, just because it's hovering around 10% province-wide. There is a north-south divide. It's more—

Official Languages committee  Yes, 21% in the north. In Moncton, you're looking at 7%, in that area.

Official Languages committee  Thanks very much for the question. Firstly, on the immigration question, one of the realities of Canada is that regions such as Moncton or other regions outside of the major centres in Canada do not benefit from immigration the way we'd like to. I would argue that Montreal has a refugee problem, not an immigration problem.

Official Languages committee  Yes, absolutely. At the City of Moncton, we provide free French classes for our employees. Many employers, from both private and public sectors, encourage their employees to become bilingual. We are doing more in our offer of service. Everyone must be served in the language of their choice.

Official Languages committee  It is because we are very diversified. We can offer services in both languages. We are going beyond that, in that we are trying to promote multiculturalism as well. Moncton's multicultural aspect is very important. For example, the Université de Moncton welcomes people from Africa who speak French.

Official Languages committee  I am sorry to interrupt you, but we are having trouble hearing you on this end of the table.

Official Languages committee  If I understand correctly, you want me to give you more details on why Moncton has succeeded as a municipality. As I said in my presentation, Moncton had to face some challenges, among them the closing of Eaton's and of the CN shops. In the end, entrepreneurs in the region had to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and establish a plan.

Official Languages committee  Things are going well in Moncton still. That mentality is now long gone. The Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce is a bilingual organization. It includes both anglophone and francophone entrepreneurs, who work together very well. The current city council comprises 11 members, 6 of whom are francophones.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  No, I would say that the ratio is more like 70-30.

Official Languages committee  That's right.