As I said in my presentation, we need to adopt a certain approach with employers. Employers are looking for workers. We can't go and say that we want to talk to them about francophone immigration. They don't have time for that. Of course, large Canadian companies have a human resources department that can communicate with immigrants who have already taken action. But 98% of our businesses are small businesses. If we tell that we want to talk to them about francophone immigration, they'll say that they don't have time for that. However, if we help them prepare a human resources plan and present francophone immigration to them as a solution to their labour problem, then they'll be willing to listen.
The second point is that we have to have the resources to help the businesses. It can be on a case-by-case basis. As Ms. Kenny just said, some of these companies have been going to other countries for a long time. There's a company in Manitoba called HyLife Ltd. that recruits 400 immigrants a year. It recruits people from the Philippines. Our RDEE representative in Manitoba went to see this company to ask whether it was interested in recruiting francophones. It said that it was used to going to the Philippines.
Businesses are reluctant. I think there's a way to help businesses recruit francophones. Businesses need employees, but we need to take specific approach so that the francophonie can make the difference for these employers.
