Official Languages Committee on May 7th, 2018

[Joël Denis]

At every ministers' meeting, francophone immigration is a priority that is reported through—

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Denis, but time is short.

Community organizations are not aware of these deadlines. Could you pass them on to the committee?

[Joël Denis]

We can confirm our expectations, as we did at the symposium.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Denis.

You mentioned a target of 4.4% for 2018. The year isn't over yet. Are the latest figures we have from 2017?

[Joël Denis]

Yes.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

What is the national percentage of francophone immigration outside of Quebec that has been achieved?

[David Manicom]

I have the figures in front of me. It's about 2%.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

So we're a long way from 4.4%. We're not going to make it. We are not going to reach the 4.4% target in 2018.

[David Manicom]

No, not in 2018.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

All right.

Which provinces need the most support? There are probably some provinces that are having more “success” than others. Are there any provinces that need more support? Do you do an evaluation of the support you give the provinces?

[David Manicom]

We support community organizations through federal settlement funding. The Canadian immigrant integration program is really community-based. There are about 500 settlement service providers, about 50 of which are francophone.

We work more closely with the provinces that have set specific targets. Unfortunately, not all provinces have set a provincial target for francophone immigration yet. The federal government can't make them set one, but it encourages them to do so. We're currently working more closely with New Brunswick and Ontario because they have concrete targets to meet.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Ontario and New Brunswick, the provinces that have signed annexes, are to be commended.

Are you hoping to sign annexes with other provinces? Are there any problems with the provincial governments? Why haven't the other provinces signed annexes yet?

[Joël Denis]

I can confirm that promoting francophone immigration is a priority for all territories and provinces. It's included in the agreements signed by the ministers.

However, as Mr. Manicom mentioned, each province and territory has its own priorities and capabilities. The federal government is ready to support them through our programs so they can make their own decisions on how to promote their economic agendas.

We offer all provinces the option of signing agreements on francophone immigration, but that's not the only partnership mechanism. That is why we have the action plan.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

The minister told us earlier that he's been meeting with francophone minority communities across the country.

Just as a good faith gesture, without having to resort to access to information, could we get a list of the people and communities he has met with over the past year?

[David Manicom]

I think we could get you that information.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

Great, thank you.

Do I have any time left, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

No, your time is up.

[François Choquette, NDP, Drummond, QC]

All right.

Thank you for your answers.

[The Chair, Liberal, Denis Paradis]

Thank you very much, Mr. Choquette.

Now we will move on to Mr. Arseneault.

[René Arseneault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you for being here. I commend your department for turning the corner on francophone immigration, but we just need to ask you some questions to address certain shortcomings.

Not to sound defeatist, but it would be an understatement to say that francophone immigration outside of Quebec is “failing”, if I can use Darrell Samson's phrase from earlier. It is a total failure across the board, under both this government and the previous government, but we are setting things straight. I am telling you this, Mr. Manicom, because we need to not only meet the objective, but exceed it too. Wishful thinking, I know, but we need to exceed this objective in order to eliminate the gap that has persisted for generations.

Do you agree with what I just said?

[David Manicom]

Yes.

[René Arseneault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Is the department aware of it?

[David Manicom]

But—

[René Arseneault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

I'm looking for a simple yes or no answer, because I only have six minutes.

Is this department aware of the francophone immigration gap that has persisted for years?

[David Manicom]

The department is aware. In fact, I think the minister himself has often said he wants to exceed expectations.