RDÉE Canada and its members mobilize to increase Francophone economic immigration

Ottawa, March 14, 2013 – The members of the working group on economic immigration of RDÉE Canada (Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité), Canada’s national Francophone economic development and employability network, in Ottawa since Monday to attend a national forum, have developed their 2013-2014 Strategic Action Plan aimed at bolstering Francophone economic immigration in Canada.

Julie Oliver, the Executive Director of CDÉNÉ (Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse) heads up the economic immigration working group, created last fall by RDÉE Canada. “Nearly 2 million more workers will be required between 2010 and 2020 to fill job openings across Canada,”[1] said Ms. Oliver. “RDÉE Canada and its 12 provincial and territorial members, serving all of Canada except for Quebec, strive to foster the growth of Canada’s Francophone and Acadian communities, which we believe should receive their fair share of economic immigrants.”

“The economic immigration working group explored establishing innovative programs allowing RDÉE Canada and its members to step up their economic immigration endeavours. New tools for action will also be developed to improve newcomers’ knowledge of the Canadian labour market and facilitate their economic integration.”

For the past several years, RDÉE Canada and its members have developed considerable expertise in economic immigration. The network’s qualified professionals speak several languages and dialects and are excellent ambassadors with immigrants and employers, with whom they have a long-standing special relationship. “There is no doubt that our excellent knowledge of the job market in each province and territory makes RDÉE Canada and its members valued players in the area of Francophone economic immigration in Canada,” said Jean Léger, Executive Director of RDÉE Canada.

Representatives of RDÉE Canada and its members will be attending the 15th National Metropolis Conference being held at the Ottawa Convention Centre until Saturday, as roundtable participants or speakers. “Our Francophone economic immigration results speak volumes and our actions have been highly effective,” said Mr. Léger. “We have taken part in the Destination Canada job fair for many years and are extremely successful at connecting immigrants and employers.”

RDÉE Canada, building on the contribution of its provincial and territorial members, is the leader of economic development in Francophone and Acadian communities across Canada. Recognized both for its expertise and development of sustainable partnerships, RDÉE Canada fosters the mobilization, collaboration and coherence of efforts in order to encourage Francophone and Acadian communities to contribute fully to Canada’s prosperity.

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For interviews and information:
Julie Gagné, Manager, Communications, RDÉE Canada
julie.gagne@rdee.ca
www.rdee.ca
Tel.: 613 244-7308
Cell: 819 592-2613