News Release

PARIS (GNB) – Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Francine Landry, who is also the minister responsible for La Francophonie, embarked on a four-day mission to Paris on June 21 to promote New Brunswick during the activities of Canadian Week, organized by the Canadian Embassy in France.

“New Brunswick is delighted to take part in the various activities concerning economic development, immigration, post-secondary education, student mobility, and culture during Canadian Week in Paris,” Landry said.

She gave a speech during the Doing Business in Canada economic conference, held on June 22 at the Canadian Cultural Centre.

“New Brunswick is truly open to the world and to business,” Landry said. “We are working on strengthening our economic and trade links with France and with all the European Union countries, particularly with the implementation of the Canada-European Union free trade agreement, which will offer our province many opportunities.”

In addition, Landry visited the booths of the universities that participated in the Open Doors Study in Canada event, including the one for the Université de Moncton.

She also took part in Mobility Day activities.

“The provincial government is determined to attract and retain immigrants as part of our efforts to increase the New Brunswick population,” she said.

As this was her first official visit to France since being appointed minister responsible for La Francophonie, Landry took the opportunity to meet with the Secretary-General of La Francophonie Michaëlle Jean, as well as with France’s Minister of State for Development and La Francophonie Annick Girardin.

“We have shared priorities, including implementation of the new economic strategy for La Francophonie adopted at the Dakar Summit, and we value the relations between New Brunswick and France, as well as with the 80 member states and governments of the International Organization of La Francophonie,” Landry said.

Landry was welcomed by the Canadian Ambassador to France, Lawrence Cannon. She spoke with the Quebec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, Christine St-Pierre, and with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel. Today she participated in celebrations marking the national holidays of Quebec and of Luxembourg.