November 4, 2014 — Ottawa — For the second year in a row, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander, and the President of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada Marie-France Kenny, jointly marked National Francophone Immigration Week at collège La Cité in Ottawa.
National Francophone Immigration Week is a time to celebrate the contribution of newcomers to the vitality of Francophone and Acadian communities that are open, inclusive and diverse, and to showcase all that these communities have to offer immigrants and their families. Between November 2 and November 8, close to one hundred activities are being held in French-language communities across the country.
At this morning’s reception, Minister Alexander and Ms. Kenny had the opportunity to talk to numerous Francophone community representatives from Eastern Ontario. Participants also watched video testimonials from immigrants compiled by the Coopérative d’intégration francophone de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, a TFO 24.7 broadcast and the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta.
The Government of Canada and the FCFA chose to celebrate National Francophone Immigration Week at La Cité as a way to recognize the college’s work in the area of Francophone immigration. La Cité actively promotes diversity and contributes to welcoming and integrating newcomers by cooperating with numerous partners in the Réseau de soutien à l’immigration francophone de l’Est de l’Ontario and taking advantage of French-language services available in the community.
Quick facts
- For nearly 15 years, immigration has been a priority in the development of Francophone minority communities. Numerous French-language welcoming and integration services have been implemented in the communities, and 13 Francophone Immigration Networks have been set up in nine provinces and two territories.
- National Francophone Immigration Week is coordinated by the FCFA and the 13 Francophone Immigration Networks. It was inspired by Francophone Immigration Week in Atlantic Canada, an initiative launched by the CAIF in 2012 and 2013, and carried out through financial support from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
- During National Francophone Immigration Week, CIC released five videos on Francophone immigration.
Quotes
“For our communities, immigration is not just a development tool. It is also a societal project. We want our children and grandchildren to grow up in a Francophonie that is open to the world, diverse and enriched by its differences. All stakeholders, whether in communities or governments, must work together toward this goal.”
Marie-France Kenny, President of the FCFA
“I invite you to take part in the various activities taking place this week to underscore and celebrate the great contributions Francophone immigrants make to our communities, our country, our economy and our culture. Immigration plays a key role in strengthening the vitality of Francophone minority communities across Canada. We are very proud that Francophone immigrants choose to settle in our country, and we are committed to welcoming more and more.”
Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister
Follow us on Twitter: @fcfaimmigration and twitter.com/CitImmCanada
Photos of Minister Alexander available at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/francais/ministere/media/photos/index.asp
Contacts
Serge Quinty
Communications Director
FCFA du Canada
613-241-7600 ext. 1
s.quinty@fcfa.ca
Kevin Menard
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064
Media relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada’s economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.
