Part 2: Identification of Community Needs

5. Means used to identify needs of official language minority communities at national and regional levels

In order to continue to be responsive to and meet the needs of the Francophone minority communities of western Canada and to develop a coordinated and integrated approach for the delivery of government programs targeted at these communities, WD personnel participate in regular consultations with Francophone organizations and work with Francophone Economic Development Organizations in each of the four western provinces. In addition, the national and regional coordinators participate in a number of interdepartmental committees at the federal and provincial levels.

The departmental national coordinator is a member of the National Committee for Canadian Francophonie Human Resources Development that is composed of representatives from federal government departments and Francophone communities. The Committee is an important consultative mechanism for both groups to identify and develop a strategic approach to meeting their needs. In the 2002-03 year, a new strategic plan directing the Memorandum of Understanding between federal and community stakeholders was developed. These new strategic directions rejuvenate prior commitments and bring new challenges to advance the Francophone community to a new sophisticated level of economic development. WD continues to cooperate with the Francophone communities of Canada and with other federal departments with socio-economic mandates to implement the strategies.

At the regional level, WD has had a productive year with the four provincial Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs). The FEDOs are la Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique, la Chambre économique de l’Alberta, le Conseil de la coopération de la Saskatchewan, and le Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba. WD and the FEDOs provide a wide range of services to Francophone entrepreneurs and SMEs. As members of the Western Canada Business Service Network, the FEDOs’ contributions to western Canadian economic development have demonstrated a vibrant official language minority community that is engaged and committed to growing a stronger western economy.

Through frequent communications, the regional OLA coordinators and Francophone community form a collaborative team ready to address specific needs and identify new priorities to enhance the economic viability of the French-speaking community. This team consults with each other to share concerns, needs, and expectations with regard to a western approach to advance the interests of the official languages minority communities.

6. Needs identified at national and regional levels

Need to strengthen the existing partnerships with Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDOs) such as la Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique, la Chambre économique de l’Alberta, le Conseil de la coopération de la Saskatchewan, and le Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba;

Need to access funding for Francophone-owned SMEs and Francophone organizations involved in economic development, in sectors such as tourism, rural development, the knowledge-based economy and the integration of youth in economic development;

Need to support Francophone entrepreneurs, Francophone communities’ economic development and to develop Francophone SMEs in the four western regions;

Need for a self-directed approach to economic development on the part of the official language minority communities (OLMCs), whereby the communities identify their needs and priorities, with the role of the federal departments being that of facilitator to help them achieve their goals wherever and whenever possible;

Need for cooperation between federal departments and coordination of federal programs and initiatives targeted at OLMCs. This will ensure the greatest visibility of federal programs within the communities and provide the best return on the funds invested.

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