20th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie: Provincial and Territorial Governments Raise High and Bright the Flame of the Canadian Francophonie

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 17, 2015) - As part of the commemorations of the 400^th anniversary of the French presence in Ontario, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie met today for the 20^th time since the creation of the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie in 1994. The meeting was held in Toronto under the theme Raise high and bright the flame of the Canadian Francophonie.

"I am delighted to welcome my colleagues in Ontario on the occasion of this historic moment," said the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs of Ontario. "The Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie has led to significant advances in intergovernmental collaboration on the Canadian Francophonie since 1994. By sharing their best practices and discussing issues of importance to Francophones from one end of the country to the other, the provinces and territories can identify areas for action that will ensure the continued existence and vitality of the Canadian Francophonie."

Following their discussions on the Canadian immigration system, the ministers agreed that it is important to provinces and territories that the federal strategy on Francophone immigration be a success. Consequently, they will encourage the federal government to continue implementing specific measures aimed at recruiting French-speaking immigrants and wish to collaborate with ministers responsible for immigration. Francophone immigration contributes to the labour market and economic prosperity of the provinces and territories, and is an important tool for promoting the development of Francophone communities and maintaining their demographic weight in Canada.

As part of the Conference proceedings, Madeleine Meilleur, Ontario's Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, and Jean-Marc Fournier, Quebec's Minister responsible for Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs and the Canadian Francophonie, presented a retrospective view of their efforts and the results that were attained to ensure that the Société Radio-Canada's funding enables it to fulfill its mandate as national public broadcaster under the Broadcasting Act. The provincial and territorial ministers took the opportunity to reiterate the essential role played by Radio-Canada in the development and vitality of French-language communities across Canada.

The next Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie will be held on June 22 and 23, 2016, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie, created in 1994, is the only intergovernmental forum that brings together the ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie. The Conference strives to encourage an open, dynamic and diversified Francophonie that contributes to and participates fully in the growth of Canadian society. Visit the website of the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie at www.cmfc-mccf.ca.