Professional Development

2005 National Host Conference

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[ Section 3 ] Conference Workshops
Session 1

Workshop 1E - Panel: Providing effective services to French-speaking newcomers in our community: The challenges, best practices and future trends

(Simultaneous interpretation was provided)

Presenters:

Luketa M’pindou, Alberta
Lumembo Tshiswaka, Ontario
Lily Mumbana, Ontario
Nancy Léger-Murphy, New Brunswick
Christy Dean, New Brunswick

Moderator:

Maryse Bermingham

Workshop Summary:

This panel provided an overview of the challenges, best practices and future trends in the services offered to French-speaking newcomers in a minority context. A panel of speakers from Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick presented the issues confronting French-speaking newcomers and the services offered in their respective regions.

The panellists addressed the following questions: Who are the French-speaking newcomers and what challenges do they face? Does the fact that there are two official languages affect service delivery? What are the best practices that are effectively meeting the needs of these clients?

They also looked to the future. What are the upcoming trends? What do we need to know about trends that will help up meet the challenges to come?

A facilitated and interactive discussion followed the presentations. Panellists and participants had the opportunity to share constructive strategies and build networks across Canada.

Discussion:

Luketa M’pindou shared the results of a study completed in 2003 on the demographics of Francophone immigrants who were either bound for Alberta or who migrated from another province. The main concerns of immigrants are employment, housing, language and schooling. They also face cultural differences and racism. Two services were put in place to meet the needs of Francophone communities in Alberta, one in Edmonton (ISAP) and one in Calgary (ISAP & Host). Most initiatives in Alberta are done in conjunction with the Strategic Framework to Foster Immigration to Francophone Minority Communities. A strategy to attract and retain new Francophones arriving in Alberta was developed by the Steering Sub-Committee for Francophone Immigration in Alberta.

Nancy Léger-Murphy shared information on the services currently offered in Moncton, NB. She mentioned the involvement of the Université de Moncton as a Francophone university. The services include Citizenship and Immigration Canada programs. Nancy also provided demographic data on immigrants who have access to services (refugees vs. independent immigrants). Moncton is 1/3 Francophone and 2/3 Anglophone. Nancy indicated that Moncton has good retention of its immigrant population. The Multicultural Association of Greater Moncton Area has difficulty finding French-speaking volunteers for the Host Program.

Christy Dean presented information on the services offered by her organization. She mentioned that Francophone immigrants need to learn English in order to function in the community. The main obstacles encountered by immigrants are related to jobs and the difficulty of having education received abroad recognized in Canada. There is also a Francophone association, a Francophone church and a bilingual community centre that help Francophone immigrants in the community. Christy mentioned that Francophone immigrants are reluctant to send their children to French schools because they want them to learn English.

Lily Mumbana and Lumembo Tshiswaka presented a study by OCASI in December 2004, in which 160 people were surveyed. The main conclusions of the study are a lack of comprehensive services in French, the importance of community leadership and increasing capacity to welcome the immigrant population, the need for a Host Program for youth and further research to match immigrants with suitable jobs. Future trends include the challenge of keeping Francophone immigrants immersed in Francophone culture and making sure they don’t become“Anglophone Francophones” by increasing the number of French language schools, promoting Francophone pride and becoming more politically involved. This is necessary to increase the number of Francophones in cities outside of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

Recommendations and Responses:

Similar points were made during the presentations. Everyone reported common barriers, including finding suitable employment, the absence of recognition of foreign education, housing, language and racism. The challenges include the lack of community support and the need to have more services in French. All presenters reported that before coming to Canada, immigrants receive a lot of erroneous information concerning the use of French in Canada. According to the information they receive, they believe that French is used everywhere in Canada and that a Francophone family will help them when they arrive. They report that English is essential to function outside Quebec and that long-established Francophone communities should do more to welcome Francophones arriving from other countries. The migration of Francophone immigrants to centres other than their target destination is usually linked to job search or the desire to learn English. New Brunswick seems to retain more families. Single people are more likely to leave the province. Community support also seems to be a factor that encourages Francophone immigrants to settle in some communities over others.

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