October 13, 2016
Province Appoints Members to Francophone Affairs Advisory Council
– – –Council to Help Government Make Best Investments in Development of Francophone Community: Squires
The Manitoba government today appointed the members of the Francophone Affairs Advisory Council and formally gave them the mandate to advise the government on measures to enhance the vitality of the francophone community in Manitoba, Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for francophone affairs, announced today.
“I look forward to working with the members of the advisory council to keep me apprised of the needs and challenges of the francophone community in the province,” said Squires. “With more than 100,000 Manitobans who speak French, the establishment of the advisory council will allow our government not only to make the best investments in the development of the francophone community here at home, but also to promote this strategic asset in our interprovincial relations and with other countries.”
The Francophone Affairs Advisory Council has the mandate to provide the minister responsible for francophone affairs advice and recommendations on measures to enhance the vitality of the francophone community in Manitoba and to support its development. The members of the council are each appointed for a renewable term of up to three years and must meet at least two times per year on convening of the co-chairs.
At the request of the minister, the advisory council may:
- review and make recommendations about the French Language Services (FLS) policy;
- review and make recommendations about FLS plans;
- make recommendations about measures to encourage representation of Manitoba’s francophone community on the boards of government agencies and on administrative tribunals;
- make recommendations about any acts and regulations that relate to Manitoba’s francophone community; and
- advise and make recommendations to the minister about any other matter.
The advisory council will be co-chaired by Donna Miller, clerk of the executive council, and Jacqueline Blay, board chair, Société franco-manitobaine. The members are:
- Michèle Lagimodière-Gagnon, Lorette (two-year term);
- Alexandre Brassard, Winnipeg (two-year term);
- G. Aileen Clark, Winnipeg (three-year term);
- Louis Tétrault, La Broquerie (three-year term); and
- Jacob Atangana-Abé, Winnipeg (three-year term).
Deputy ministers have also been appointed to the Francophone Affairs Advisory Council. They are:
- Karen Herd, deputy minister, health, seniors and active living;
- Julie Frederickson, deputy minister, justice;
- Bramwell Strain, deputy minister, education and training;
- Frederick D. (Rick) Mantey, deputy minister, sport, culture and heritage; and
- Jay Rodgers, deputy minister, families.
Squires noted that members were chosen for their commitment toward enhancing the vitality of the Francophonie, their willingness to represent its best interests, their ability to work in English and French, and their understanding of the realities and priority issues within the francophone community in Manitoba. Other factors considered for the selection of members were rural and urban representation, gender, youth, new immigrants, and other sectors considered a priority by the community.
The Francophone Affairs Advisory Council is created under the Francophone Community Enhancement and Support Act. The act, adopted last June by the Manitoba government, establishes a framework to promote the vitality of the francophone community in Manitoba and to support its development, through the activities of the Francophone Affairs Secretariat.
For more details about the Francophone Community Enhancement and Support Act, visit https://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/41-1/b005e.php.
- 30 -