Official Languages Committee on June 2nd, 2023

[Anne-Michèle Meggs]

There are the Francophonie countries, of course, as well as countries whose nationals can learn French more quickly upon arrival in Canada, such as Spain. However, the majority of applications come from North African countries that are former French colonies. These are the largest pools of French-speaking immigrants. Currently, under the Quebec program, which is the equivalent of Express Entry, 30% of applications come from three African countries: Morocco, Algeria and Senegal. Requests from Senegal have increased a lot recently. That's where people are expressing their interest.

However, I'd like to come back to the question of temporary immigration, because it's people in this category who form the recruitment pool for permanent immigration. Temporary immigration doesn't have the same French-language requirements: The employer can find the workers he wants, and simply specify the language required for the job.

[Angelo Iacono, Liberal, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you.

Mrs. Sacko, when French-speaking immigrants arrive in official language minority communities, what are the biggest challenges they face in living and participating in society?

[Bintou Sacko]

If we look at the current situation as a whole, the biggest barriers for people arriving in official language minority communities have to do with the recognition of their prior learning. When we select candidates for immigration, whether under provincial or federal Express Entry programs, we recruit candidates who are highly qualified and who arrive here with many skills and years of experience. Based on their track record, these people are the cream of the crop, but they can't work in their field of expertise. The non-recognition of their prior learning poses a big problem, because it forces these people to rethink their integration goals and settle for jobs that aren't necessarily in their field to build up the necessary experience, which can take a long time.

I also mentioned language not long ago. Language programs need to be very well structured. I'm thinking of learning English, for example. We know how important this is for francophones in minority communities. But programs have been eliminated and waiting lists are long. These people don't have immediate access to these programs to prepare them...

[The Chair, Liberal, René Arseneault]

Thank you, Mrs. Sacko

Witnesses, please forgive me for having to interrupt you during the meeting, but we did manage to ask you a lot of questions. I invite you not to hesitate to send us in writing any additional information you feel is relevant to the committee, through our clerk, Ms. Dallaire.

That said, next week we'll hear from other witnesses on the subject of increasing francophone immigration to Canada.

Once again, thank you for your patience, witnesses. I also thank the members of the committee.

The meeting is adjourned.