Official Languages committee  Yes. It's important to emphasize francophone economic immigration in those areas where there is a labour shortage. Not only that, but francophone density in these areas should be increased.

Official Languages committee  Yes, in a way. In some communities, there is already a francophone community. Certain specific needs are dealt with. In other communities, there was an exodus of young people. What's required is to retain these young people in the community, in addition to the capacity to welcome new families and members.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  In Manitoba, there are certainly regions where it's possible to do that. Our goal is to make it possible to live in French in these communities. Mr. Gauthier mentioned the English language. When there is francophone economic immigration recruitment, we make sure that people have a basic knowledge of English.

Official Languages committee  Nevertheless, our focus is on French.

Official Languages committee  You're right, Ms. Ashton. It became clear that for francophone mobility, it was essential to place a priority on francophone workers. And francophone students are the first to enter the recruitment pool. We are therefore concerned about this decision and its implications for both the Université de Saint-Boniface and for the recruitment of francophone students.

Official Languages committee  Yes, definitely. The labour shortage is a key factor, together with affordable housing and other factors which we feel are barriers, along with others that need improvement if we are to retain and attract new residents. We need them in these communities. We are currently conducting a survey with the municipalities to measure the severity of the labour shortage in child care centres.

Official Languages committee  When Premier Kinew participated in the debate organized by CDEM before the election, he insisted on debating in French, in recognition of the francophone community. He also met with the president of the Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities, or AMBM. For our part, we already met with ministers from ministries that fund CDEM and AMBM.

Official Languages committee  Yes, that’s right.

Official Languages committee  That is an excellent question. Manitoba’s French–Language Services Policy is based on active offer. Selected ministerial services are those that serve the public, the greatest possible number of francophones, if you will. It is also based on the number of people demanding services in French.

Official Languages committee  Yes.

Official Languages committee  No, francophones in these municipalities are all in a minority situation. Even in Winnipeg, which is included in the bilingual municipalities, they are a minority. Indeed, it is a first. I will give you an example. In one of the municipalities that invited us, the people were all anglophones.

Official Languages committee  I think our situation is a little different in Manitoba. When it comes to francophone or French-speaking communities in Manitoba, a large number of communities are scattered all over the province. Indeed, bilingual municipalities are the home of many minority language communities living within an anglophone market.

Official Languages committee  Good morning, Mr. Chair, vice-chairs, members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Official Languages, and partners in the economic development of official language minority communities. Thank you for having me. My name is Madeleine Arbez. A proud Franco-Manitoban, I hail from the land of Louis Riel.