Thank you very much for your question, and congratulations on your election.
I don't recommend that the government add anything to the bill. I want it to be passed as soon as possible because the longer we wait, the faster the communities decline. In other words, the longer you delay its adoption, the more the francophone communities decline. We have to act every day if we want to avoid declining. That's my general message.
However, a distinct francophone integration program has to be established. I mentioned a francophone economic immigration program in my brief, but that's a mistake. The immigration policy provides for an economic immigration program and programs for specific immigrant classes. So I don't see whwe couldn't do the same thing for the Canadian francophonie: establish a francophone integration program distinct from all other programs. The spaces allocated to that program would be included in the plan for immigration levels, and the program should be part of the forthcoming policy. That's essential.
We could introduce pilot projects, decide to set targets that are less ambitious at t federal level but very ambitious locally in places such as Moncton, Ottawa, Toronto and Saint-Boniface. We could also establish pilot projects with teams that would oversee the ongoing development of those programs in targeted regions.
There is one thing we mustn't overlook, and we've discussed it with you on numerous occasions: first, we have to consider how to align this policy with others. I'm thinking in particular of the general immigration policy and foreign affairs policy. We lack chancelleries, embassies and staff on the ground in Africa. We only have one office for all Africans wishing to come to Canada to study, among other things. We have to expand our services. I'm not the only person requesting this. People are asking for the same thing in other sectors where people work in international relations. We have to increase the number of opportunities offered to people who want to apply to come to Canada, particularly as international students. There is one single office, and it's located in Dakar. It may not be enough, particularly when we know that people come from across Africa. And Paris isn't the place where African students can file their applications either.
So this is quite an important aspect. We must establish ambitious targets. We need to reach for the sky on this and ensure that the francophone immigration policy is harmonized with all other issues. Canada will thus be able to meet its francophone immigration objectives, particularly with regard to students.
We have a basic contradiction right now. We ultimately want African francophones who come to study in Canada to help offset our labour shortage, but, at the same time, we tell them they have to return to their country immediately after completing their education. We impose all kinds of restrictions and then tell them they can come and study here if ever Canada might be part of their career plans. So there are some major policy contradictions here.