Expert Group to Help Grow Francophone Immigration

Ontario has assembled a group of eleven experts to help attract Francophone immigrants to Ontario and ensure the sustainability of Franco-Ontarian communities.

The Group of Experts on Francophone Immigration will examine how to promote, recruit, welcome, integrate and retain Francophone immigrants in Ontario. Their advice, which is expected to be delivered in Spring 2016, will be used to help Ontario achieve its target of five per cent Francophone immigration as part of the province’s Immigration Strategy.

The members of the group represent different sectors, regions and areas of expertise including employers, municipalities, academia and students.

Building stronger Francophone communities is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

QUOTES

“For 400 years, Francophones have been building and shaping Ontario. We have the tools and resources here to help Francophone newcomers succeed and thrive. We protect and celebrate Francophone culture in this province, and we are committed to achieving our goal of five per cent Francophone immigration.”

— Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade

“The creation of this expert committee will help bolster Francophone immigration to our province. Ontario will continue to work with our federal counterparts to achieve our Francophone immigration target of five per cent and work towards better cultural and economic integration of Francophone immigrants in our communities.”

— Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs

“Ontario’s Francophone community is strong, vibrant and proud. The work our Group does will help ensure we attract new Francophones to our communities – helping to carry on the French-language tradition we have embraced for over 400 years.”

— Alain Dobi, Co-Chair, Group of Experts on Francophone Immigration, Network Director, Réseau de soutien à l’immigration francophone du Centre-Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario

“Francophones have been calling Ontario home for centuries. Our goal is to help ensure our traditions continue to thrive for centuries to come.”

— Peter Hominuk, Co-Chair, Group of Experts on Francophone Immigration, Executive Director, Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario

QUICK FACTS

• The French presence in Ontario dates back 400 years. Today, Francophones make up 4.8 per cent of the province’s total population, or 611,500 people.
• Like the general population of Ontario, the Franco-Ontarian community is diverse. It includes Francophones from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Europe.
• Government of Ontario services are provided in French in 25 designated areas of the province, and there are French-language schools that let communities build and maintain Francophone linguistic and cultural heritage.