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

June 22, 2016 – St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador – 21st Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie

The provincial and  territorial ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie met today in  St. John's to discuss key issues, including the delivery of government  services in French and francophone immigration. The slogan, The Wind in Our Sails, is inspired by  the vibrant Newfoundland and Labrador francophone community as the Government has  recently adopted the French Language  Services Policy.

"The French Language Services  Policy introduces a consistent, coordinated approach to service delivery in  French across the Provincial Government," said the Honourable Perry Trimper,  Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, Government of Newfoundland and  Labrador. "It illustrates the Government of Newfoundland and  Labrador's commitment to providing improved service for Francophone and Acadian  citizens, and the recognition of their important contribution to the province's  social, cultural and economic development."  

As the federal government prepares to develop a new  multi-year official languages plan, the provincial and territorial governments reiterate  their willingness to improve the delivery of French-language services and  ensure that the quality of these services is achieved through close  federal-provincial-territorial cooperation. Therefore, the provinces  and territories ask the federal government:

   
• To clarify its  commitment to provinces and territories with regards to increasing the scope  and quality of French-language services to reflect the changing  needs and the diversity of the Francophone and Acadian communities;
   
• To update the  bilateral cooperation agreements to match the realities of Francophone and  Acadian communities and the priorities of provincial and territorial  governments and in particular, to increase the financial envelopes allocated.

The ministers also provided updates on francophone immigration issues. They agreed on the need to work closely with the federal government in developing action strategies to be presented at the Forum on Francophone Immigration. A first in Canada, this Forum will be organized in conjunction with the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration with a view to ensuring that each government meets its respective goals for Francophone immigration.

The next Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie will be  held on June 22 and 23, 2017 in the National Capital Region on the occasion of  the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

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 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