21st Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie – Federal- Provincial – Territorial

June 23, 2016 – St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador – 21st Ministerial  Conference on the Canadian Francophonie

The federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for the  Canadian Francophonie today wrapped up a two-day meeting at which they  discussed important issues, including French-language  services, Francophone immigration, tourism and early childhood development.

The conference began with a presentation by Mr. Michael Clair offering  a portrait of the Francophonie in Newfoundland and Labrador, which informed the  ministers' discussions on progress achieved in the Canadian Francophonie and  its future. Their discussions revealed that the significant progress made throughout  the country is primarily the result of the actions, successes and collaboration  among governments and community stakeholders at the local level.

"It is under the slogan The Wind in Our  Sails that I welcomed to St. John's my colleagues responsible for the  Canadian Francophonie," said the Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister  Responsible for Francophone Affairs in Newfoundland and Labrador. "This  exemplifies the energy that drives the Francophone and Acadian community in  Newfoundland and Labrador. It is also symbolic of the support of our government  to contribute to the vitality and growth of the province's Francophone and  Acadian community, in particular through the implementation of its French  Language Services Policy."

"Our country is defined by its linguistic duality and the  strength of its diversity. As Minister responsible for Official Languages, I am  committed to developing a new action plan to support and promote the vitality  of linguistic communities and knowledge of our two official languages," said  the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. "The consultations  have begun, and the Conference gives me a unique opportunity to take the pulse  of the governments on the challenges facing the Canadian Francophonie. The  collaboration and the interest of the provinces and territories in participating  in the consultations are valuable assets for Francophones across the country."

On Francophone immigration, ministers discussed the goals and parameters for the Forum on Francophone Immigration, which will bring together the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of the Canadian Francophonie and immigration ministers. Members of the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie will be invited to attend a preparatory meeting to be held in the fall of 2016. The meeting will be coordinated by New Brunswick Minister Francine Landry. The forum scheduled to take place in the spring of 2017 will be an opportunity for all governments to identify and propose strategies that could increase Francophone immigration across the country and could support governments in their efforts to meet their respective goals for Francophone immigration.

 With regard to Francophone tourism,  governments reaffirmed their desire to work together to put forward a tourism  circuit project, taking into account the specific tourism characteristics of  each jurisdiction. In Toronto in 2015, governments pledged to explore  opportunities for collaboration on such projects.

The delivery of French-language services is what brings together the  federal, provincial and territorial governments under the aegis of the  Conference. The ministers discussed ways to enhance the quality of  French-language services so that they have a significant, direct impact on  citizens' quality of life. They also discussed best practices that support the  implementation of active offer and increased services to French-speaking  citizens.

Early childhood development in the Canadian Francophonie is important to  the vitality of the culture, language and identity of the Francophone and  Acadian communities of the country. A French-language environment, the  commitment of governments, and the implementation of programs and policies are  all factors that contribute to this development and foster the transmission of  the French language. The ministers discussed the possible creation of a forum  for federal-provincial-territorial dialogue on early childhood development, and  they will continue discussions on this topic over the coming year.

The federal government will host the next Ministerial Conference on the  Canadian Francophonie on June 22 and 23, 2017 in the National Capital Region on  the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Confederation.  This meeting will be co-chaired by the Yukon  government.

The Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie, created in  1994, is the only intergovernmental forum that brings together all the  ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie. The Conference works to  make the Canadian Francophonie an open, vibrant, diverse community that  contributes fully to the development of Canadian society. Visit the website of the Ministerial Conference on  the Canadian Francophonie at http://www.cmfc-mccf.ca.

Information :

Chantal Alarie
National Coordinator
Ministerial Conference on the
Canadian Francophonie
506-292-3415
chantal.alarie@gnb.ca

Emily    Timmins
Director    of Communications
Department    of Environment and Conservation Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-2575, 693-1292
emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca

Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian    Heritage
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca