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Francophone Diversity

Canada, a Proud Participant in the Francophonie

In a strong alliance with 56 countries and governments that share a dedication to promoting the French language, Canada shares a tangible commitment to the French fact on the international stage. This country’s pluralism and openness to the world make a major contribution to the Francophonie and therefore, Canada’s participation is viewed as a unique opportunity to recognize the presence of French in North America.

In this same vein, Canada also defends globalization that is respectful of culture beyond its borders. Canada’s position, stated at the Conférence ministérielle sur la culture in Cotonou in June 2001 and at the Sommet de la Francophonie in Beirut in 2002, reflects significant support in the current international debate over our collective ability to encourage dialogue between cultures and still protect the specific cultural characteristics unique to each civilization.

These efforts within the Francophonie are primarily the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade as well as the Minister responsible for the Francophonie in Canada. However, many federal departments and agencies have relations with French-speaking countries, especially the Canadian International Development Agency, the Department of Canadian Heritage, Industry Canada, Justice Canada, and Environment Canada.

In conjunction with these Government of Canada initiatives, many Francophone communities in Canada also have direct relations with Francophones in other countries of the Francophonie through the twinning of municipalities, educational cooperation, or cultural exchanges. The Acadian community also maintains ongoing international contacts through the Société nationale de l'Acadie and the Congrès mondial acadien.

Many domestic activities, such as the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie or the Dictée Paul Gérin-Lajoie, reaffirm the importance placed on the Francophonie. These annual activities are augmented by larger celebrations of Canada’s membership in the Francophonie. In particular, Canada has hosted the Sommet de la Francophonie in Quebec City in 1987 and again in Moncton in 1999. Canada has also staged the Jeux de la Francophonie in the Ottawa-Hull area in 2001.

Canada’s presence within the Francophonie—featuring events on both sides of the Atlantic—will continue to grow with the celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the French presence in North America.

Canada is an important source of vitality within the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), which now includes separate representatives from Quebec and New Brunswick. On this point, OIF Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali commented at the Jeux de la francophonie in 2001: “Canada has already done a great deal for the Francophonie. But your country has the means and awareness necessary to make a special effort to encourage the international community to show a greater interest in the problems of the South.” Much remains to be done, since Canada has the requisite potential to assist certain countries. This is a challenge that Canada’s Francophone and Acadian communities are determined to meet.

A More Diverse Francophonie

More than 120,000 newcomers chose to live in Francophone and Acadian communities outside Quebec. Their ever-important presence in numbers, adds to the culture and the vitality of the Canadian Francophonie and constitutes an important link with the international Francophonie.

Ontario, especially the Toronto area, attracts a large number of immigrants. This destination is the choice of 71% of the new arrivals declaring French as their first official language and the Caribbean and Africa are well-represented. British Columbia, on the other hand, attracts large numbers of people from Asia and Europe.

Newcomers from Europe come from Western and Eastern Europe in similar proportions.

Among all newcomers that come from elsewhere on the American continent, half come from the United States, where there are also French-speaking populations, notably in Louisiana and New England.

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