On April 17, Canada marked 40 years of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Across the country, Francophone and Acadian communities as well as Francophone organizations such as the Economic Development and Employability Network (RDEE) Canada celebrated, in particular, section 23 of this charter, which guarantees the right to education in both languages.
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Do not believe that this article solves all evils: the fear of assimilation remains intact in many communities. Day after day, 10 million Francophones across Canada are fighting for the survival of their language, their culture, their institutions and their services.
The problem is widespread, from infancy to adulthood. Francophone schools are underfunded across Canada, and access to Francophone businesses and services in French remains unequal from one region to another. The Prairies are a good example. Services are difficult to access in French, whereas the Maritime provinces are relatively well served.
Lack of immigration and infrastructure
It’s not just a service issue. For several years, Canada has not met its Francophone immigration targets. However, this immigration would ensure the vitality of the Francophone and Acadian communities, and would alleviate the current labor problem. We must be able to offer jobs in French to immigrants as soon as they arrive in Canada. Currently, a francophone immigrant in Alberta, for example, can hardly find a job in his language.
Similarly, while agreements have been concluded between the federal government and the provinces for the funding of early childhood services, will we be able to ensure a sufficient number of places in French-language daycares? The lack of infrastructure is glaring, the recruitment and retention of personnel difficult.
However, the accessibility and quality of services play a key role in community vitality and language transmission.
This vitality is also ensured by the presence of Francophone businesses: according to a survey conducted by RDEE Canada and the Léger opinion panel in 2020, 9 out of 10 respondents believe that the presence of Francophone businesses is important for the survival of the French language. in their community.
This same survey reported that 77% of respondents wanted the federal government to do more for the economic development of the country’s Francophone and Acadian communities. As the Charter celebrates its 40th anniversary, it is time to take stock. To hope for a greater contribution from Francophones to the advancement of our country, we must do more in the cornerstone of any progress: economic development.
This is why RDÉE Canada will hold a National Summit on Economic Francophonie in Minority Situations in September 2022. This summit will be an opportunity to bring together leaders, entrepreneurs, economic agencies and anyone interested in Francophone economic development.
It is up to all levels of government to give Francophones a special place in their economic strategies as the post-COVID recovery begins, whether in tourism, immigration or small and medium-sized businesses. RDEE Canada will be present to work in partnership with the government to do more for our Francophone communities and thus ensure their survival and growth, in line with what section 23 provided.