Secretariat, Official Language Minority Communities: Francophone Committee

The National Committee for Canadian Francophonie Human Resources Development  (NCCFHRD) was formed in late 1996 at the recommendation of the Comité d’adaptation des ressources humaines de la francophonie canadienne (CARHFC). It gives concrete form to the Government of Canada’s commitment, set out in section 41 of the Official Languages Act, to enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada and supporting and assisting their development; and fostering the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society.

Originally, this project was piloted by Human Resources Development Canada. It involved bringing together government and community representatives to address the economic and human resources development of Canada’s Francophone communities. A number of departments participated in the initiative without being formally committed by the Memorandum of Understanding between Human Resources Development Canada and the community representatives. On March 20, 1998, a new Memorandum of Understanding was signed, this time among all partners represented on the Committee.

In March 2001, the National Committee tabled its third Annual Report in which it enumerated the many accomplishments of the Committee and its affiliates in the provinces and territories, mainly the co-ordinating groups on economic development and employability  (RDÉEs). The success stories emanating from the National Committee's four priority sectors are fast becoming more numerous, shaping a new development structure and sustaining growth and prosperity for Canadian Francophonie.