As Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages, Minister of International Cooperation Josée Verner represents the Government of Canada in the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie [International Organization of La Francophonie] (OIF) (in French only). However, Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC) is responsible for managing Francophone issues, as it manages all other Canadian foreign policy initiatives.

FAC representatives in Francophonie Affairs Division therefore manage Canada’s statutory contributions to the operation of the institutions of La Francophonie, such as the OIF, the Conference of Youth and Sport Ministers from Countries Sharing the Use of French (CONFEJES), and the Conference of Education Ministers of Countries Using French as a Common Language (CONFEMEN). They are also responsible for managing funds that Canada allocates each year to OIF programs, the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), and TV5 Monde—Africa.

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) also manages a large share of Canada’s contribution to La Francophonie, and provides technical assistance in many of its areas of intervention. Along with FAC, managers of CIDA’s Francophonie Program, in Multilateral Programs Branch, share the responsibility to support the efforts and programs of the OIF and other operators of La Francophonie, including the Association internationale des maires francophones [International Association of Mayors and Officials] (AIMF) (in French only) and Senghor University in Alexandria (in French only). The ten-year strategic framework adopted at the Ouagadougou Summit (2004) defines La Francophonie’s current strategic directions regarding development assistance.

Three quarters of the member countries and associated members of La Francophonie qualify for Canadian development assistance. Canada’s contributions are channelled through various mechanisms: Aside from contributions by multilateral organizations that receive financial support from Canada, the assistance administered by CIDA can be bilateral or made available through Canadian Partnership Branch, which funds initiatives by civil-society partners, both non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private corporations.

Other departments and agencies of the Government of Canada also contribute their expertise to initiatives by La Francophonie and initiatives that benefit member developing countries. The International Development Research Centre supports the work of researchers in developing countries, especially in information and communications technology, which is on the agenda at the Bucharest Summit (in French only). Along with FAC and CIDA, Canadian Heritage plays an essential role in La Francophonie, especially in culture and heritage, sports, and radio broadcasting. Other departments also provide support, such as Industry Canada in information and communications technology, Justice Canada on issues relating to democracy and legal cooperation, and Environment Canada, which manages issues concerning the Institut de l’énergie et de l’environnement de la Francophonie (IEPF), a subsidiary body of the OIF.