Good afternoon, everyone.
Before I start I actually did write a paper in the French language. It was not translated, but I can answer any questions in both official languages. I know I was told we had to have it in both official languages to be distributed, so I would like to apologize for that. I will read my paper in the French language and then I can answer questions in any language.
My name is Gilles LeVasseur. I'm honoured to testify before the committee on francophone immigration and Canada's linguistic duality. I'm pleased to speak to you about this because I have been very much involved for over 30 years in everything relating to Canada's linguistic duality and official-language minority rights in Canada.
I have prepared a presentation that will last 10 minutes. However, if the committee would like, I would be pleased to present a supplementary text to provide more details on the points I will have presented. I have condensed all the ideas in this text by presenting principles, findings and recommendations. I went straight for the conclusions by considering stated principles and findings.
Linguistic duality is a fundamental feature of the Canadian identity. We need to do what it takes to ensure that this feature continues to define and enrich us as a society. Canada's linguistic duality is a dominant trait of our international image, and it is our duty to do what it takes so that this Canadian value can prosper across Canada.
I would now like to talk about the principles connected to linguistic duality.
Canada's linguistic duality is a fundamental characteristic of our society and is dependent on the following principles.
First, there needs to be demographic growth that allows for a balance between Canada's two main linguistic communities. This includes an immigration policy that recognizes the importance of linguistic duality as a fundamental standard in Canada and that is supported by administrative and financial measures so that government entities, including the Government of Canada, can act effectively to maintain this typically Canadian social value.
Second, we need to promote the economic aspect of official languages to allow Canadians and newcomers to fully identify with linguistic duality and to develop positive identity reactions toward both official-language communities. Newcomers must also be made aware of official-language minority communities so that they can make language and identity choices that are in the interest of Canada's public immigration policies.
Third, there needs to be a recognition and willingness by various levels of government, starting with the Government of Canada, to promote linguistic duality. This includes protecting and promoting official-language minorities with an immigration policy built on respect for the demographic weight of official-language communities to ensure the growth and development of these communities.
The fourth and last principle is that there needs to be cooperation between the different levels of government so that newcomers can be integrated in a way that respects linguistic duality in Canada and avoids linguistic polarization in regions across Canada.
Those were the four basic principles.
Let's move on now to the findings relating to immigration and linguistic duality.
We are certainly disappointed to see that immigration in Canada has not helped to maintain, or even increase, the demographic weight of official-language minority communities. This situation stems from the following findings.
There aren't enough resources to properly select newcomers with an adequate knowledge of both official languages, particularly those speaking French. This lack also means that the federal government is slow to act on respecting the demographic weight of official-language minority communities.
The second finding concerned the lack of integration of newcomers into official-language minority communities, including a lack of infrastructures and mechanisms that would allow them to participate fully in the minority group.
The third finding is that there is a lack of promotion of these official-language minority communities among newcomers, which develops their desire to join the majority group, mainly for economic reasons. Initially, newcomers are looking for a better quality of life in Canada, which includes better economic conditions. However, if we don't promote knowledge of both official languages, newcomers will tend to join the majority group, thus limiting their capacity to become interested in the minority group.
The fourth finding is that there is a lack of support from the official-language minority communities for government approaches to properly support and integrate newcomers.
The last finding is that a stronger government approach would require selecting newcomers for official-language minority communities so that the outcome of immigrant selection would maintain the demographic weight of these communities.
Now, what solutions and recommendations can we present based on these principles and findings?
I will present four main recommendations that fall under the Government of Canada's jurisdiction.
First, the different levels of government need to integrate immigration policies and methods to better support and integrate newcomers in official-language minority communities. Once newcomers have been selected, the Government of Canada must work with the provinces so that newcomers can be integrated into official-language communities as soon as they arrive in Canada. Too often, newcomers are left on their own and have to make choices without understanding the Canadian issues and the importance of Canada's duality. The Government of Canada must help newcomers in their steps toward integrating into Canadian society.
Second, we need to look favourably on the ability of newcomers, as they work toward obtaining permanent resident status and Canadian citizenship, to enrol in an educational institution in an official-language community and to learn an official language in a minority environment. The education system is an excellent way to get newcomers to appreciate the official-language minority communities and to learn both official languages quickly. Willingness to enrol in an educational institution in a minority community would be worth additional points for newcomers in the newcomer selection process.
Here's an example. A newcomer arriving in Ottawa will receive a more favourable assessment if officials consider his registration at Cité collégiale because he wants to be able to operate in a francophone setting and obtain his resident status or citizenship. In addition, if immigrants send their children to French school or French immersion, that must also be considered. The goal is explain linguistic duality properly and to maintain knowledge among immigrants of Canada's commitment to both official language communities. Immigrants need to be able to understand what makes up Canadian society. If a foreigner who comes to Canada for economic reasons and wants a better life is not aware of the issues, that individual cannot develop this relationship.
Third, we need to establish selection objectives for newcomers where 10% of them would have an immediate capacity to communicate effectively and efficiently, considering the requirement that they settle in official-language minority communities. We need to increase the percentage of newcomers who can speak French so that the demographic weight of francophones outside Quebec is maintained and so that linguistic duality continues to be a vibrant value for all Canadians.
Fourth, we need to create intervention areas in large urban cities to support newcomers and direct them to services for official-language minorities. Often, urban centres do not have a concentration of individuals who speak the minority language, so that the newcomer is automatically immersed in the majority group and loses contact with the linguistic minority group. The intervention must include information about learning official languages in the intervention area, including cultural and economic services.
Take the most classic example of the number of francophones who settle in Toronto.
I was born in Toronto. I'm from North York. We are spread out in my neighbourhood. Since the city has over five million residents, francophones are spread out and choose places where there are economic advantages. Out of necessity, they develop the reflex to operate in the majority group's language, which is totally legitimate. However, people aren't exposed to francophone groups.
Francophones send their children to English school because it's what they know. It isn't because they don't want to speak French, but rather because we don't guide, integrate and support them in that. It's in this context that we are giving priority to certain intervention areas. We cannot possibly cover all of Canada, but we can decide to cover certain regions and, gradually, ensure that the percentage of the demographic weight is based on what we are seeking as francophones outside Quebec.
To conclude, I will say that we have a duty to act. Immigration is an essential tool for developing Canada's special identity, which includes the vibrant presence of official-language minority communities.
Thank you.