• Improve access to and provide more affordable French testing;
• Increase the availability of services in French for new immigrants arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport;
• Increase funding for Francophone Integration Pathway, which provides settlement services; and
• Launch an expression of interest process in search of an organization to provide language training to individuals who have listed French as their preferred official language.

These initiatives form part of the government’s Action Plan for Increasing Francophone Immigration, introduced in March 2018. One of the goals of the plan is for 4.4 percent of new immigrants outside of Quebec to be francophone by 2023.[2]

Given the importance of linguistic diversity to Canadian society, the federal government’s moves towards improved services for francophones are encouraging. It appears, however, that a different approach is being taken at the provincial level. In Ontario, where 4.1 percent of the population reported French as their first official language in 2016, members of the French-speaking community received some disappointing news last week: The provincial government intends to eliminate the position of French language services commissioner and will not be building a French-language university in Toronto.[3]

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(sources)

The post Recent Announcements Affecting Canada’s Francophones first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.

As a result of the forum, the “FPT Action Plan for Increasing Francophone Immigration Outside of Quebec” was introduced. The Action Plan focuses on three strategies of collaboration between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to achieve its goal, split into ten specific actions:

1. Championing Francophone immigration;
2. Collaborating on three targeted areas:
   1. Employment,
   2. Accessible services,
   3. Inclusive communities; and
3. Reporting on progress

In order to champion Francophone immigration, parties should strive to enhance international marketing activities to raise awareness of Canada (outside of Quebec), as an attractive place for French-speaking individuals to settle. For those applicants already in Canada on a temporary basis, information on immigration pathways involving settlement in French Minority Communities (FMCs) should be highlighted.  Employment is one of the most important factors for attracting any immigrant, not only those that speak French. To this effect, the Action Plan encourages working with employers to identify and market those areas where businesses can take advantage of the language abilities of Francophones; in turn, Francophones benefit from rewarding employment opportunities. The provision of services in French is also key to integrate Francophones into FMCs. Finally, the plan stresses the importance of reporting the progress made by various levels of governments to all other parties involved in this undertaking. The sharing of information allows for the avoidance of mistakes already made and opportunities to capitalize on effective plans implemented by other parties, which increases the efficiency of the overall plan.

These immigration goals represent an opportunity for Francophones wishing to immigrate to Canada. For more information on the Action Plan, please click here.

The post Maintaining Canada’s French Roots first appeared on Bellissimo Law Group.