The Office of the Commissioner will now be able to offer complainants and federal institutions the opportunity to participate in a voluntary and confidential process during which a mediator will help them find a mutually acceptable solution to the issues raised in the complaint.
If mediation does not result in an agreement between the parties, the complaint will continue through the Office of the Commissioner’s investigation process.
For the time being, this new service will be offered in selected cases according to established criteria. However, in the coming months, the Office of the Commissioner will be able to offer mediation to more complainants and federal institutions.
“I’m very happy to now be able to offer this new service, which will help complainants and federal institutions reach a mutually satisfactory resolution and resolve complaints more quickly.“
Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada
For more information on the mediation service
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that the new Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) program will be launched on August 26, 2024, in partnership with designated French-language and bilingual post-secondary learning institutions (DLIs). Minister Miller also announced the addition of 10 communities to the Welcoming Francophone Communities (WFC) initiative. The Minister made these announcements on the occasion of the Acadian World Congress, in Nova Scotia.
Students in the Francophone Minority Communities Pilot program
Canada recognizes that large pools of French-speaking international students exist in Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, and that the study permit approval rate in these regions has been low in the past. Thanks to the new pilot program, we will make access to Canada’s International Student Program fairer for a wide range of international students.
The pilot program is a flagship measure of the Policy on Francophone Immigration announced earlier this year and will benefit FMCs by helping them attract and retain international students. To improve the approval rate, students and their families will be exempted from having to demonstrate that they will leave Canada at the end of their temporary stay. In addition, the required financial threshold will be adjusted to reflect 75% of the low-income cut-off associated with the municipality where the institution’s main campus is located.
Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie
Federal-provincial-territorial meeting
Grand retour en Acadie: 30 years of leadership in the Francophonie
On August 8 and 9, the Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie (MCCF) held its annual meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia, marking its 30th anniversary. As was the case in their first meeting in 1994, the ministers met just before the Congrès mondial acadien, which is taking place this year in southwest Nova Scotia.
The ministers remain committed to the development of government services in French and wish to intensify their work to promote the Canadian Francophonie. They agreed to examine ways to increase the visibility of French-language content on digital platforms and in the online environment.
Matters relating to the vitality of Francophone and Acadian minority communities, such as bilingual labour shortages, Francophone immigration, and the use of French in emergency situations, were also discussed.
“Sharing best practices and inspiring initiatives for French-language services enables members to continue a collaborative momentum to deliver government programs and services in French. Together, we continue to work to address the priorities of the Acadian and Francophone communities.”
—The Honourable Colton LeBlanc, Nova Scotia Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie and Co-Chair of the MCCF.
“I am convinced that the modernized Official Languages Act, which includes the Policy on Francophone Immigration, and the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028 are opportunities to strengthen our ties and work together for the benefit of all French-speaking, Francophile and Franco-curious Canadians, particularly when it comes to accessing minority-language services across the country.”
—The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and MCCF Co-Chair
An update of the national portrait of unmet needs for a bilingual workforce was presented to the ministers, as part of a project initiated by the MCCF three years ago, in collaboration with Employment and Social Development Canada.
The ministers welcomed the President of the Treasury Board of Canada, the Honourable Anita Anand, to their meeting to discuss how her role has been strengthened as a result of the modernization of the Official Languages Act, and the opportunities for collaboration between governments, respecting their jurisdiction and recognizing the diversity of language regimes.
With respect to Francophone immigration, discussions with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Honourable Marc Miller, explored links between the MCCF’s objectives and those of the new federal policy on Francophone immigration. The ministers agreed that the MCCF’s collaboration on Francophone immigration will focus on ways to facilitate the retention of newcomers within the Canadian Francophonie.
The ministers also reiterated the importance of French-language communication in times of crisis and will continue to work with their colleagues responsible for emergency services.
A new video from the series entitled How Far Can French Take You? – Le français peut vous mener loin, was premiered at the meeting. This initiative is designed to celebrate learning and using French in Canada.
At the close of the meeting, the co-chairs invited ministers to the opening of the MCCF’s Agora on the Francophone Economy. The event brings together partners from private, academic, associative and government sectors, and aims to identify avenues to explore to better support the Francophonie’s contribution to Canada’s prosperity.
The government of the Northwest Territories will co-chair the next annual MCCF meeting, to be held in Yellowknife in 2025.
The Ministers’ Council on Canadian Francophonie (MCCF), created in 1994, is an intergovernmental forum that is made up of the ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie. The MCCF works for an inclusive dynamic Francophonie that contributes to and fully participates in the development of Canadian society. Visit the Ministers’ Council on Canadian Francophonie website: https://cmfc-mccf.ca/en/
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Information:
Ama Lorenz
Communications Director
Government of Nova Scotia
Ama.Lorenz@novascotia.ca
902-943-4978
Mathis Denis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages
Mathis.denis@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
media@pch.gc.ca
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
Virginie Dallaire
Coordinator, Communications and Events
Ministers’ Council on Canadian Francophonie
Communication@cmfc-mccf.ca
587-713-4744
2024 Report – Exploring Canadas’ Unmet Labour Demand for Bilingual Workers in OLCMs
This updated report uses online job postings data, a proxy for unmet labour demand, to estimate job vacancies in Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs).
The Government of Canada announces renewed funding for La Picasse Cultural Community Centre in Nova Scotia.
Communities across Canada work tirelessly to ensure that Canada’s official languages remain strong and dynamic. The Government of Canada continues to support its network of partners to enhance the vitality of official language minority communities and strengthen services offered in these communities.
Today, Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and Member of Parliament (Cape Breton–Canso), announced that the Government of Canada’s continued support for La Picasse Cultural Community Centre, by investing $354,375 over three years in its programming, from 2024 to 2027. It will receive $118,125 per year. Kelloway made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages.
La Picasse Cultural Community Centre is important to the Isle Madame community. Investing in its annual programming will help enhance the vitality of the community. In addition to helping fund the operations of the centre, these investments will help give Acadians and Francophones in the region the opportunity to take part in more social, educational and cultural activities in their language and in their own community.
The Government of Saskatchewan announced on July 5th a funding to enhance professional development opportunities for Francophone artists in the province.
The Conseil culturel fransaskois (CCF) will receive $55,000 to deliver workshops between July 2024 to January 2025 for singers, musicians, writers and visual artists.
“These workshops offer Francophone artists further opportunity to develop their craft and connect with other artists,” Parks, Culture, and Sport Minister Laura Ross said. “The work of the Conseil culturel fransaskois benefits the artists as well as our province by preserving and promoting culture and heritage that contribute to our high quality of life in Saskatchewan communities.”
The funding is through the five-year Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement for French-language Services.
Read the complete press release
To learn more about the CCF, including programs and events, visit: www.culturel.ca/
“Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is a special occasion to come together every year on June 24 to celebrate the rich Francophone culture in the Yukon and across Canada.
“The diverse Yukon Francophone community is vibrant and steadily growing. Whether you have a strong connection to Francophone heritage or are just beginning to explore its richness, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in long-standing French-Canadian traditions and present-day culture.
“Our government is proud to support the vitality of the Francophone community in the Yukon. Thanks to all the organizations, people and groups and especially the Association franco-yukonnaise (l’AFY), who hosts Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations every year. Come join in the festivities on June 23 in Whitehorse at Shipyards Park and June 24 in Dawson City to enjoy live music at Bombay Peggy’s under the midnight sun.
“Bonne Saint-Jean-Baptiste!”
The Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) have signed a new Canada-Northwest Territories (NWT) Agreement on French Language Services from 2023-2024 to 2027-2028.
Under the new agreement, $5.9 million will be invested per fiscal year, for a total of $29.5 million over five years. The funding is provided to support the continued delivery of French language communications and services by GNWT departments, boards, and agencies.
Read the complete press release
The Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board, made the following statement Monday :
“On June 20, 2023, Bill C-13, an Act to amend the Official Languages Act (OLA) received royal assent. The modernization of the OLA is a historic milestone and a major step in strengthening the bilingual identity of our country.
The modernized Act expands the role of the Treasury Board and its President. As such, it is my responsibility to provide leadership across the Government of Canada to coordinate the implementation of the new legislation. The Act also strengthens and broadens the role of my department, giving it greater authority to support, monitor, and evaluate compliance of federal institutions. To this end, below is an overview of progress made thus far in accordance with the Act.
To support federal institutions, I have established a new Official Languages Accountability and Reporting Framework. The Framework clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of federal institutions in implementing the modernized act. It also clarifies expectations in reporting on results to ensure accountability to Canadians.
Read the 2024 report that highlights our efforts to support the social, cultural and economic development and influence of Ontario’s Francophone community.
Read the Ministry of Francophone Affairs Report 2024
Minister Stoodley Issues Statement Recognizing 25th Anniversary of Francophonie Day
“Twenty-five years ago, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognized May 30 as Provincial Francophonie Day.
Of course, the French influence here goes back much further than that and is an important part of our rich and vibrant history.
This morning, I joined members of the Francophone and Acadian community, including many young Francophones, to celebrate the many ways that they, and their ancestors, have contributed to the linguistic, cultural, and historical diversity of Newfoundland and Labrador.
It is an exciting time for the Francophonie in our province. We recently renewed the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agreement on French Language Services, and we look forward to exploring innovative opportunities to serve this community through this new, expanded agreement with the Government of Canada.
Read the full statement here
The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Communications, Minister responsible for Youth and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region, as well as Martine Biron, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, are proud to launch the activities for the first meeting of the UNESCO Group of Experts on the diversity of cultural expression in the digital environment.
This meeting of experts from around the world will be held in Québec City from May 28 to 30, 2024. It will be preceded on May 27 by a day of conferences for Canadian, Quebec and international cultural workers. These conferences will be organized by the Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE), with the collaboration of the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD).
Over the past few months, Canada and the government of Quebec have supported the creation of this international group of 18 independent experts within UNESCO. Until the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee in February 2025, this group will conduct a reflection and make recommendations to the Parties to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (“2005 Convention”) on four themes: the linguistic diversity of cultural content online, the discoverability of local and national cultural content online, the greater transparency of digital platforms, and the impact of artificial intelligence on cultural and creative industries.
Read the full press release
Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada Raymond Théberge tabled his 2023–2024 annual report in Parliament Tuesday.
The modernization of the Official Languages Act in June 2023 marked the beginning of a new chapter not only in the history of official languages, but also in the history of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages.
Over the past year, the Office of the Commissioner has been laying the foundations for the use of the Commissioner’s new powers under the modernized Act, as well as updating its activities and operating methods, including the content of the Commissioner’s annual report.
Full implementation of the Act is necessary to ensure that the intended changes can be realized within the new federal language policy framework.
“We need to keep up the momentum and build on the progress we’ve made to effect concrete, lasting changes in order to secure the future of both of our official languages across the country. I’m counting on all federal institutions to step up their efforts to meet their language obligations, including the new ones in the modernized Official Languages Act.” – Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada.
On May 7, 2024, Alberta launched its new Francophone Policy Action Plan, which sets the direction for improving services and resources for French-speaking Albertans, helping to sustain and celebrate Alberta’s Francophonie.
French is an important part of Alberta’s culture, which has helped shape the Albertan identity. The French-speaking community has grown to more than 261,000 people, making it the largest language community in the province after English.
Over the past year, Alberta’s government has collaborated with more than 30 francophone community leaders to develop the 2024-28 French Policy Action Plan. This is a new, comprehensive strategy to better support French-speaking Albertans by enhancing and expanding French-language services.
Full press release
Alberta’s French Policy 2024-2028 Action Plan
On April 28, the Groupe d’action pour l’avenir de la langue française (Action Group for the Future of the French Language) unveiled its Plan pour la langue française (French Language Plan), containing nine government priorities, with the aim of halting, arresting and reversing the decline of French in Quebec.
The group is demonstrating the government’s firm resolve to turn the situation around, particularly in the wake of recent studies by the Office québécois de la langue française showing a decline in the use of French in various spheres of Quebec society.
Read the full press release ( In French)
Consult the French language plan (In French)
As part of Budget 2024, the Manitoba government is increasing the funding to the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain (CCFM), Premier Wab Kinew and Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Glen Simard, minister responsible for francophone affairs, announced Friday, April 19.
Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain a Vital Part of Manitoba’s Heritage according to the Premier.
“After more than a decade of funding freezes, our government is committed to supporting Manitoba’s arts and cultural organizations with new and ongoing funding that creates good jobs and a vibrant Manitoba,” said Kinew. “French language is at the heart of Manitoba’s future. CCFM is a central hub for showcasing and preserving francophone culture, and this funding will allow the CCFM to expand its French programing for all Manitobans to enjoy.”
Today, on International Francophonie Day, the Government of Yukon is unveiling its 2022–23 report on French-language services. This report highlights efforts focused on strengthening the Government of Yukon’s French language capacities in order to increase the public’s access to timely services and information in French as well as the government’s commitment to supporting a thriving Yukon Francophone community.
Main accomplishments include:
- The opening of the Centre de santé Constellation Health Centre, the first primary health care clinic of its kind in the Yukon, which serves as a model of care to build upon in the future.
- A comprehensive public engagement to inform the new strategic framework for French-language services.
- A significant reorganization of the French Language Services Directorate as a client-focused structure to better fulfill its mandate as a central agency.
- A partnership with the Government of Canada to support Les Essentielles in buying the building that houses their organization.
To read the full press release and to consult the 2022-2023 annual report.
On March 12, 2024 Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, Laura Ross, proclaimed March as “Rendez-vous de la Francophonie 2024” in Saskatchewan during a special ceremony at the Saskatchewan legislature. This annual event, celebrated nationwide, continues to promote Francophone culture and the French language, coinciding with the International Day of La Francophonie on March 20.
“This March, we urge Saskatchewan residents to learn more about the unique and profound cultural legacy crafted by our Fransaskois community,” Ross said. “Rendez-vous calls us to not just acknowledge, but to celebrate their invaluable contributions, underscoring the vibrant mosaic that defines our province’s identity.”
To read the complete press release
Rural and Francophone minority communities are critical to Canada’s long-term growth, and regional immigration plays a key role in strengthening their economies. In particular, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) has been successful in connecting businesses and employers in remote communities with the skilled newcomers they need to thrive.
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced on March 6, 2024, new pilots for rural and Francophone minority communities, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues work toward creating a permanent rural immigration program. These are the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot.
To read the complete press release