Yes.
We are mainly francophones in our sector. That's good to say. As Ms. Michon mentioned, even if we are completely francophone in our sector, or 95% of us, the language of business is also English.
New Brunswick and the northwest of the province are production and export regions. Naturally, English is therefore important.
Even though the French language is the language most used by all our fellow citizens and workers, businesses want to protect the French fact while ensuring a certain level of bilingualism so that they can continue to do business.
In terms of tricks, the programs we've developed at the Haut-Madawaska Chamber of Commerce are mainly focused on recruiting and retaining our fellow citizens and people from the outside, speaking French as much as possible, so that they can settle in our territory. Hence the community incentive plan, known as PIC, as I mentioned earlier, which is an investment program designed to encourage people from outside to come and settle in our territory.
In terms of foreign recruitment, the process for obtaining permanent residence is quite long and arduous. So it is a challenge for us to get these people to participate in the PIC program. However, that program is now available. It has been in place for five years and about 20 families have come to settle in our territory so far. If memory serves, a family is in the process of obtaining citizenship or permanent residence and intends to take part in this program.
So it bodes well and it gives our businesses some breathing room. Naturally, we also have to think about housing these people. This is extremely important.
The federal programs that appear to be unveiled in this area will certainly help us a great deal.
However, in terms of French, it must also be said that organizations in our region provide training in French. However, the main disadvantage our members mention is that people who want to take courses and learn French have to do so within a fairly limited time frame. Since the courses are normally given during the day, the people who work don't have access to them. Therefore, we are asking for some flexibility so that the training can be offered in the evenings or on the weekends so that as many people as possible can take French courses intended mainly for adults.
The children of young families are already in francophone classes in our schools, which helps a great deal with integration. Having had an experience this week, I can say that the integration of these young people who come from outside the country is fantastic. It's a different generation. This is a generation of young people who are much more open to difference. We certainly notice that. In one of the schools in our territory, the student population from outside has represented nearly 40% in the past two years. That's huge.