Canada and La Francophonie
Canadian management
In the federal government, management of International Francophonie matters is the responsibility of Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC). Increasingly specialized and multidisciplinary cooperation within La Francophonie has led FAC to work in close cooperation with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Canadian Heritage. Other departments, such as Industry Canada (information technology), Justice Canada (democracy, legal cooperation), and Environment Canada.
Canada's influence (abroad)
Recognizing the importance of the French fact at home, as well as its international dimension, the Canadian government joined La Francophonie very early on and was involved in establishing and developing its many institutions.
The Canadian government quickly made La Francophonie an integral part of its foreign policy; in fact, it is a natural extension of Canada's linguistic configuration within the international sphere.
The International Francophonie can play an important role as a political stabilizer, especially in Africa, in preventing conflict, consolidating efforts to democratize and instill good governance, as well as in encouraging respect for human rights. In other words, Canada's participation in the multilateral Francophonie demonstrates the country's willingness to openly show the world its exemplary democratic behaviour. This involvement also enables Canada to strengthen its bilateral and multilateral relations and to consolidate its broad objectives in the areas of peace-building, development, and cooperation.
Canada's presence and influence within the institutions of La Francophonie enables it to promote Canadian values and culture and to help promote cultural diversity on the international scene.
Canada hosted the Francophonie Summit in Quebec City in 1987 and the Moncton Francophonie Summit in 1999 (Declaration) - only available in French. The subsequent holding of the Francophonie Summit in New Brunswick in 1999 and the Games of La Francophonie in the Ottawa/Hull region in 2001 helped to create momentum and confirm the importance Canada attaches to the International Francophonie.
The Games of La Francophonie are unique for the "development" aspect
they promote. By responding to the youth-oriented objectives of La Francophonie,
the Games enable young participants from many developing countries to benefit
from a window on the world.
Forum for dialogue (on the national level)
The Government of Canada's participation in the International Francophonie responds to its foreign and domestic policy objectives. Through its active involvement in La Francophonie, Canada makes it possible to affirm and enhance the importance of the French fact, either on the multilateral level or through its federal-provincial-territorial relations. The federal government has consistently shown a will to involve the provinces, either with a Francophone majority or minority, in its actions on behalf of all Canadians. Moreover, the Government of Quebec and the Government of New Brunswick are participatory governments in La Francophonie.
In addition to being a forum for consultation and dialogue on problems we all face, and a window for enhancing Canada's visibility, La Francophonie enables this country to share its values and objectives, particularly in the fields of culture and sports. La Francophonie also invite Canadians to broaden their horizons and export their expertise to the international environment.
The hosting of the Francophonie Summit in Moncton in 1999,(Declaration), - only available in French and the Games of La Francophonie in Canada in 2001 represented an opportunity to link the Canadian Francophone community to the cultural wealth of the Francophone world; it was an opportunity to show the world the value and strength of Canada's partnership in La Francophonie.
National Pride (expressing our pride and showcasing our linguistic duality)
Canada's participation in La Francophonie is a unique opportunity to demonstrate the French fact in America, as well as the benefits Canadians derive from their linguistic duality, pluralism and membership in the international Francophone community.
Nationally, Canada's participation in the major events of the International Francophonie makes it possible not only to demonstrate our pride to be Canadian, but also to increase opportunities to raise consciousness about the importance of our national linguistic duality as a national reality.
In addition to being an invaluable way to bring together Canadians from every province and territory, the 2001 Games of La Francophonie symbolically united, behind a common objective, Francophone communities in Quebec and the rest of Canada.
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