Expanding the Francophone presence in Manitoba

by Michel Boucher - Saint-Boniface, Manitoba

In October 2002, Manitoba’s Francophone community met to find ways to attract more French-speaking people to the province. At the same time, the government was exploring the measures it could take to increase the Francophone population. Welcoming more newcomers of diverse backgrounds would meet two objectives: expand the Francophone presence in Manitoba and enrich the province’s cultural diversity. In 2005, the province welcomed 10,000 immigrants, a remarkable increase compared to the annual average of 3,500 that had prevailed up to 2003.

According to Statistics Canada, French is the mother tongue of 4.0% of Manitobans, and 9.1% of the population speaks English and French. The Chief Executive Officer of the Société franco-manitobaine (SFM), Daniel Boucher, said that the SFM and its partners quickly grasped the government’s message: “We told ourselves that if we didn’t go after our share of newcomers, the demographic weight of Francophones would decline even more. We also realized that French-speaking newcomers were often not directed toward our institutions. Furthermore, we knew that the government was hoping to welcome about 700 Francophone immigrants a year.”

Mr. Boucher went on to say, “We came to the conclusion that we had to set up a service for Francophones similar to Welcome Place, which serves all immigrants who arrive in Manitoba.” A French-speaking welcome service, Accueil francophone (In French Only) was established in 2003 following negotiations between the SFM and the federal and provincial governments.

Gérald Clément was Assistant Deputy Minister for Citizenship and Immigration in Manitoba during the talks that led to the creation of Accueil francophone: “This is a positive development in that [the new service] allows newcomers to get a different perspective by speaking with someone who is not a public servant.” Today, under the leadership of Bintou Sacko, originally from Mali, Accueil francophone offers a wide range of services. Since its creation, the organization has helped more than 500 people.

I just arrived in Manitoba; can you help me?

Julien Loubelo, a Congolese who lived in France for 20 years, immigrated to Manitoba with his wife and two children last October. “The staff at Accueil francophone were very efficient. They came to pick us up at the airport and found us a bed and breakfast to stay in the first few nights. They were also extremely helpful when we were looking for our current home. Accueil francophone even helped me prepare my résumé in French and English.”

Nathalie Roy, an officer with Accueil francophone, explains the organization’s goals: “Our priorities are housing and health. Finding a home is a real challenge due to the lack of affordable housing in Winnipeg.” She adds that newcomers are referred to health professionals when the need arises. Accueil francophone also provides information on schools, administrative formalities, transportation, family services and businesses. Newcomers are informed of the job market situation and of services provided by the Franco-Manitoban community as well.

Extending a welcome is everyone’s business

Accueil francophone works in cooperation with community partners. Bilingual Service Centres act as the point of contact with government agencies. The SFM’s 233-ALLÔ service refers newcomers to services and jobs, and the Plurielles organization offers literacy courses and employment integration workshops.

For its part, the Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface (In French Only), which operates an international bureau for its foreign students, offers free English courses to those who need them under an agreement with the SFM and the governments. The Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (In French Only) has a liaison officer on staff to work with the families of children newly registered in its schools.

Newcomers themselves participate in welcoming efforts: they created the Amicale de la Francophonie multiculturelle du Manitoba. This organization, which brings together Francophones from various countries, has become an important tool in raising awareness among Manitobans about immigrants’ rights.