Evidence of meeting #34 for Official Languages in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was province.
A recording is available from Parliament.
President, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
It's important to point out that the oil industry has, in part, collapsed in our province.
Conservative
President, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
However, if I stick to the numbers about school enrolment, for example, especially in St. John's, the number hasn't decreased, quite the opposite. It has continued to increase, which means that there is still some stability in the francophone community in the province, especially in St. John's.
Director General, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
We don't have official numbers. We have just submitted funding applications after the IRCC's last call for research proposals. So we hope to get it soon.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mrs. Boucher.
Mr. Samson, you have the floor.
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
Mr. Chair, I think it's Mr. Arseneault's turn.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Thank you.
Good morning, Mrs. Poirier and Mr. Corbineau. Your remarks are very interesting.
You have seen an increase in francophone immigration in minority communities, but there have been cuts to immigration. What are your needs in this area and what should the funds be used for? How much money would you need?
Director General, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
That's a very broad question.
Director General, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
We need direct services, in particular, which is a challenge in the regions. In some places, like Labrador City, we recruit a lot of immigrants, but we don't have the resources in place to provide direct services to newcomers. We are joining our efforts with those of the local francophone association, but it is still difficult to find these people.
Of course, money is a major concern, but some simple measures wouldn't be expensive. For example, we would like to be able to help temporary residents. It's when these people arrive at the airport that we need to go to them, and not two years later when they want to become permanent residents and don't need us anymore. At that stage, they are settled, integrated into a social network and their children are attending the English-language school. We have lost them. We need to seek them out at the airport. Unfortunately, we don't have the means for that.
We have been prohibited from helping temporary residents. Most francophone immigrants have a job when they arrive in our region. They are temporary residents because the process is quicker for the employer, who doesn't want to wait six months. He needs someone in two weeks. The vast majority of these people arrive as temporary residents, but we aren't allowed to provide services to them. Most of them stay here. I myself am an example of this. I don't have the numbers on hand, but of everyone I've met, very few leave.
It's unfortunate that we can't offer them any services. It would be a beneficial investment for our communities. This doesn't necessarily mean more money. We would simply like to be able to provide services to these newcomers. After two years, once they are permanent residents, they don't need us anymore.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
What would you need to be able to find these people when they arrive?
Should a federal office be set up solely for this purpose or should a francophone non-profit organization in Newfoundland and Labrador take on this responsibility?
Director General, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
We want to encourage these people to integrate into our community, so also in our organizations and our schools. An organization from the community sector would be more appropriate. I have a hard time seeing a federal agency telling a newcomer which school he should enrol his children in.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I'm sorry for interrupting you, but I don't have much time left.
In a few words, what is the answer to this problem? What could the federal government do?
Director General, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
It could provide us with ways of supporting these people from the start, in the form of direct services. That's very important.
Liberal
Director General, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
Newcomers when they arrive here and have temporary resident status. It would involve supporting them in the early days, as soon as they arrive.
Liberal
Director General, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
The community sector. It would most certainly be more effective.
Liberal
Director General, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
Where we are, the francophone immigration network is part of the federation.
Liberal
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to make a slight detour before getting to today's topic, immigration.
You may know that Senator Chaput introduced a bill that had already been tabled four times. It was Bill S-209. One of the issues in this bill is to ensure that, under Part IV of the Official Languages Act, the services provided by the federal offices are consistent with the vitality of the communities.
Unfortunately, the percentage of francophones in absolute numbers is decreasing over time. For example, in 2006, 4.2% of the population outside Quebec was francophone, while it was 4% in 2011. I don't know what the percentage is now, but it is constantly decreasing. The percentage needs to reach 5% for these services to be offered.
To preserve the vitality of these communities, people need to be able to continue using their language every day. So it would be appropriate for the legislation to evolve. However, the percentage continues to decline. In other words, we need that immigration. The senator explained that, without immigration, we won't succeed.
You talked a bit about that, but could you describe the immigration status in Newfoundland and Labrador again? Is the percentage of francophones stagnant or declining?
President, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
I'll let Mr. Corbineau answer that question.
Director General, Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
As I mentioned earlier, officially, between 2006 and 2011, the francophone community increased by 36% in almost all regions, which is very strong growth. Immigration certainly contributed to that growth, but it wasn't the only factor. I won't come back to that.
To answer your question, I don't know the percentage of newcomers compared with the community as a whole. We have extremely different communities. For example, in St. John's, which is the provincial capital, the origin of francophones is really quite mixed. We have people from every region of Canada and from Europe, Africa and Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Many people in St. John's come from away.
NDP
François Choquette NDP Drummond, QC
As I understand it, when it comes to services in Newfoundland and Labrador, you have no difficulty with the “by” and “for” principle, meaning that the services are offered by and for the official language minority communities. We have seen problems with that in other provinces.
At the moment, with respect to your relationship with the federal institutions and federal departments, there are no problems with service delivery by and for the official language minority communities. Is that correct?
