Ottawa, March 15, 2013 – Increasing Francophone economic immigration in Canada’s Francophone and Acadian communities presents huge challenges. According to Jean Léger, Executive Director of RDÉE (Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité) Canada, the only national Francophone economic development and employability network, the challenge of regionalizing Francophone economic immigration is a daunting one that involves stepping up efforts to recruit economic immigrants in Francophone countries and the support services for their economic integration.

Speaking at the 15^th National Metropolis Conference being held at the Ottawa Convention Centre until Saturday, Jean Léger said that in 2011, only 3.5% of Canada’s new permanent residents reported French as their mother tongue. Furthermore, some 2% of immigrants of all languages are Francophones who settle in regions outside Quebec.

“In the last few years, RDÉE Canada and its members have proven themselves to be key players in recruiting economic immigrants for the Francophone and Acadian communities, and we have developed considerable expertise in the regional and economic integration of French-speaking immigrants. In addition to supporting employers and immigrants to ensure that each new job experience is a success, we also help newcomers with the start-up and development of their businesses. Our network, which serves all of the provinces and territories except for Quebec, is poised and ready to take on the challenge of increasing Francophone economic immigration,” said Mr. Léger.

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