Official Languages Committee on May 13th, 2010

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

I'm talking about concrete matters.

[Guy Jourdain]

I can't give you any specific details, but I'm sure Citizenship and Immigration Canada could.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Ms. Drapeau-Miles, did you attend that meeting?

[Monique Drapeau-Miles]

No, but three individuals represented us there.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Have you heard anything about what emerged from that meeting that should be included in our report?

[Monique Drapeau-Miles]

They talked about three essential priorities for this year. They're closely related to the activities I talked about earlier: reinforcing immigration networks in the provinces and territories, the economic integration of francophone immigrants and promotion and recruitment.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Mr. Nadeau.

We'll continue with Mr. Généreux.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I want to thank the witnesses for being here today. I'll be speaking to Mr. Jourdain in particular.

In your opinion, would it be appropriate for the minister of the Canadian francophonie to develop a national model respectful of the provincial jurisdictions, on the basis of which the provinces could build their francophone immigration programs? Could we consider that?

From that model, for example, employment adaptability programs could be developed. That's like selecting the best aspects of everything that's being done in Canada. I imagine you do that within the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie. Could we see that in a more standardized way nationally, so that even more decisive results could be achieved?

[Guy Jourdain]

As I said earlier, one of the three legs on the stool is intergovernmental cooperation. It's one of the main objectives of the ministerial conference on the Canadian francophonie in this matter. The model you refer to is a tool that could tend in that direction. Obviously, the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie has not taken a position on this particular approach, but it would be consistent with the objectives we're pursuing.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Has the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie already considered these things?

[Guy Jourdain]

We haven't considered them, no.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

That's fine.

Are the plans, priorities and measures taken by the CMFC regarding francophone immigration in harmony with the strategic plan of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada—Francophone Minority Communities Steering Committee launched in 2006?

[Guy Jourdain]

Yes. As I indicated in my remarks a little earlier, we support the general orientations of the strategic plan that was announced by the federal government in 2006. We consider it an invaluable tool. We are ready to work in that direction.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

That's fine.

Ms. Drapeau-Miles, New Brunswick has an extremely rich francophone history, since the province is already officially bilingual. As a result of the history of Acadian society, you are ahead of all the other Canadian provinces with regard to the francophonie.

When you travel outside the country to promote New Brunswick, is that history an advantage for New Brunswick? We heard that, when the representatives of the provinces promote their provinces outside the country, there is some friendly competition. Representatives are all seated at the same table to recruit potential francophone immigrants. I imagine New Brunswick has an advantage, to a certain degree. Does having such a rich francophone history give you a significant advantage?

[Monique Drapeau-Miles]

I'm going to answer you, but then I'll hand over to Mario.

Naturally, the Congrès mondial acadien is the ideal platform for showcasing the wealth of New Brunswick's culture. Even anglophones can't believe it. Quite often, people from the province would like to have an exchange in the province in order to share that cultural wealth. It's so easy to talk about Acadian culture and to sell it by travelling in Canada.

I'm going to give you an example. I attended the Olympic Games and it was very easy to talk about my culture. What I say is very personal.

With regard to promotion and recruitment, I'll let Mario talk about Acadia's image in other countries.

[Mario Boisvert]

Acadia is quite well known in France and Belgium. However, it is less well known outside those countries. People realize the advantage New Brunswick has in being bilingual. In virtually all francophone countries, people have basic English courses at school, but they never had the opportunity to speak the language in everyday life. When they come to New Brunswick, they are convinced they will learn both languages while living and working in French.

In France, I would say that we draw the interest of those who aren't familiar with Acadia, and they do a little research. They often come and see.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Mr. Généreux.

Mr. Godin, it was your birthday yesterday. Go ahead, please.

[Some voices]

Oh, oh!

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

It happens.

[A voice]

That's why he was late.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

No, I was at the French embassy, and I'm wasting speaking time.

Earlier a question was asked about the targets in New Brunswick. What are the targets? The $10 million isn't intended for anglophone immigration. It's included in the Roadmap for French. The idea is to attract French immigrants to New Brunswick. What are the targets?

[Monique Drapeau-Miles]

I talked about that in my address.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Let's talk about it again.

[Monique Drapeau-Miles]

I'm going to repeat it. The objective is to maintain the province's linguistic balance. That the province's statement.