November 24, 2015
Manitoba Government Introduces Proposed Legislation that would Support Francophone Community
– – –Francophone Community Essential to Manitoba's Growth, Development: Premier Selinger
The Manitoba government is introducing a proposed new bill, the francophone community enhancement and support act, that would provide a framework to enhance the vitality of Manitoba’s francophone community, and to support and assist its development, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“We are lucky with a dynamic francophone community that is an essential part of the province’s history and a critical part of our future,” said Premier Selinger. “This new legislation is a logical step in the practical and incremental approach we have taken to providing French-language services to Manitobans, whether or not French is their first language.”
The proposed bill would:
- establish a Francophone Affairs Advisory Council comprised of senior officials and community members that could advise and make recommendations to the minister responsible for francophone affairs;
- modernize the mandate of the Francophone Affairs Secretariat;
- require departments and certain public bodies to prepare a multi-year strategic plan relating to the provision of French-language services; and
- require the tabling of an annual report on the work of the secretariat, the advisory council and the province’s bilingual service centres, as well as the progress made by public bodies to implement French-language services plans.
“Francophones in Manitoba are pleased with this new legislation, which protects existing services acquired over 30 years of progress in many important, if not essential, areas of their daily lives,” said Jacqueline Blay, chair, board of directors, Société franco-manitobaine. “This legislation corresponds to our wishes to see government services in both official languages improve the vitality of their communities, while noting the possibility of a progressive enhancement stemming from these services in areas where there is still progress to be made. This legislation will allow francophones and francophiles alike not only to use these services, but also to offer them, thanks to their education in French schools and immersion programs.”
The French presence in Manitoba goes back to the founding of the province. Louis Riel ensured the Manitoba Act 1870 guaranteed French to be an official language of the courts and the legislature. For more than 25 years, the Manitoba government has provided services in French to Manitobans and is committed to continuing doing so, Premier Selinger said.
According to the 2011 census, 103,145 Manitobans had knowledge of French and English, and 41,370 Manitobans declared French as their first language. In 2014-15, 5,240 students were registered in French schools and 22,725 were registered in French-immersion programs.
This proposed legislation would contribute to improving outcomes for francophones and ensure that Manitoba continues to benefit from a strong and diverse francophone community, Premier Selinger said.
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