Official Languages committee  Here in New Brunswick, we have an organization called La Ruche, which is part of our association. Experts there offer mentorship programs to newcomers who want to start a business. We provide the tools and services they need to understand the Canadian system and get off the ground faster.

Official Languages committee  I wanted to add to Ms. Veronis's information. I received an email regarding pre-departure services. It clearly explained that, while the visa office was preparing to issue my visa to arrive in Canada, I could start taking advantage of pre-departure services. Even from abroad, I was able to attend virtual job fairs.

Official Languages committee  Thank you very much. In two points, we need a targeted immigration policy to encourage francophone immigration, and settlement support for all immigration programs, not just for permanent residents.

Official Languages committee  Personally, I would separate immigration in Quebec from that in the rest of the provinces. It also has to be said that far more files regarding immigration to Quebec are being processed than those concerning francophone immigration to the other provinces. I wouldn't create two departments, but I would separate the files of people wishing to immigrate to Quebec from those of francophones wanting to immigrate to other provinces.

Official Languages committee  As a foreigner and an immigrant, I lived in Luxembourg, where they speak three languages. I also lived in Switzerland, where they also speak three languages. What shocks me the most in Canada today is that you have to choose between anglophone and francophone schools, whereas citizens of other countries speak two or three languages, study English and mathematics in English, history in French, geography in Italian and so on.

Official Languages committee  That could be a very good solution. As I said earlier, people are being blocked even if they have the credentials. So I definitely think that a standard like the “blue seal” would be useful in the case of individuals trained in the medical field outside Canada. Yes, I believe that would increase francophone immigration to Canada.

Official Languages committee  Personally, I'm very much in favour of promoting francophone immigration. Consequently, I believe that awareness and information campaigns should be introduced to attract qualified francophone immigrants to minority communities. I'm opposed to the idea of concentrating all francophones in one place and all anglophones in another.

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Mr. Dalton. I would say that, for those people, we should expedite recognition of the credentials they've earned in their countries. French-language teachers are still French-language teachers, both here and in France. I can understand why it's a little more complicated for doctors.

Official Languages committee  Canada is already doing a good job. As an association dedicated to integrating immigrants, we try to establish support groups. The people we help come from different ethnicities and cultures. Since we also work with a refugee clientele, we take in women who have been battered or raped and who are accompanied by their children.

Official Languages committee  Thank you very much. I just wanted to add that there's considerable ignorance outside Canada. I'm an immigrant, and, before arriving in Canada, I thought that people spoke French only in Quebec. Today we do a lot of prep work for arrivals because, as an association, we really want newcomers to integrate in the best conditions.

Official Languages committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair and members of the committee, thank you for inviting the Multicultural Association Chaleur Region to take part in this discussion, which I hope will assist you in forming a clear understanding of the dynamics contributing to rising francophone immigration.