National Initiatives

Immigration to Francophone Minority Communities

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is determined to see Francophone minority communities share in the economic and social benefits of immigration. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which came into force in 2002, now contains language provisions in support of an initiative such as this one.

In March 2002, the CIC – Francophone Minority Communities Steering Committee was established and given the mandate of developing strategies to increase the number of French-speaking immigrants in Francophone minority communities and to facilitate their reception and integration. Therefore, the Committee developed the Strategic Framework to Foster Immigration to Francophone Minority Communities, which was released on November 3, 2003. The Framework outlines the issues related to Francophone immigration, as well as the long-term objectives, medium-term results and short-term measures.

In March 2005, the Steering Committee completed the document entitled Towards Building a Canadian Francophonie of Tomorrow, Summary of Initiatives 2002-2006 to Foster Immigration to Francophone Minority Communities. This document outlines initiatives from various federal, provincial/territorial and community stakeholders, implemented or to be implemented between 2002 and 2006.

Published in September 2006, the Strategic Plan to Foster Immigration to Francophone Minority Communities more clearly identifies the challenges and issues to be addressed, proposes focused actions for the next five years and sets a course for the long term.

Steering Committee meeting minutes:

• January 24, 2003
• March 23, 2003
• Novermber 3 & 4, 2003
• February 9, 2004
• March 26, 2004
• June 29, 2004
• March 29 & 30, 2005
• June 20 & 21, 2005

For more information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/francophone/index.asp