18th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie (Provincial-Territorial Meeting)

Winnipeg,  September 4, 2013 – The provincial and territorial ministers responsible for the Canadian  Francophonie met in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for the 18th Ministerial  Conference on the Canadian Francophonie.

The ministers’ discussions  focused on the importance of early childhood development as a crucial stage of human  development more specifically within the context of the Canadian Francophonie. Speakers Michel Boivin, full professor and researcher at  Université Laval, and Mariette Chartier, professor and researcher at the  Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, delivered the opening address which focused  on the theme “Early Childhood Development: Essential to the Vitality of the  French Language and French-Speaking Cultures”. Following this presentation, the  ministers shared the best practices developed by their respective governments regarding  early childhood programs and services in French. In particular, they will discuss actions that  could foster the exchange, among governments and key stakeholders, of best  practices in the French-language early childhood sector.

The ministers also noted the progress  made with respect to the delivery of services in French. They praised Prince Edward Island for renewing the French Language Services Act and New  Brunswick for adopting An Act Respecting Official Languages. In addition, they recognized  initiatives by all governments, which have implemented measures in terms of  their priorities to meet the needs of their Francophone population (see  attached Information Sheet).

As part of this work, the ministers took the opportunity to discuss the progress  made in many areas they have addressed in recent years. Therefore, they wish to  encourage ongoing dialogue and exchange of expertise among the key government,  community and private-sector stakeholders on French-language economic  development within their respective provinces and territories. They also expressed  their willingness to continue their discussions on Francophone immigration.

Lastly, the ministers discussed the Conference’s future priorities and  mandated their officials to propose possible action areas for its next  Strategic Plan. These will be presented to the minsters at the next  Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie, to be held on June 26 and  27, 2014, in Prince Edward Island.

The Ministerial Conference on the  Canadian Francophonie, created in 1994, is the only intergovernmental forum  that brings together the ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie. The  Conference works for an open, dynamic, and diverse Francophonie that  contributes to, and participates fully in, the growth of Canadian society. For more information, consult  the website of the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie at www.cmfc-mccf.ca

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

Sally  Housser
Press  Secretariat to Cabinet
Government  of Manitoba  
204-297-5693
sally.housser@leg.gov.mb.ca