News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The following statement was issued today by Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault, whose responsibilities include immigration, in recognition of National Francophone Immigration Week, Oct. 30 to Nov. 5:

During National Francophone Immigration Week, it is important to consider the contributions of our francophone population.

Maintaining New Brunswick’s unique linguistic profile is one of our government’s priorities. Our government aims to grow the province’s population and economy, in part, by attracting skilled workers in order to meet current and future labour needs.

Being the only officially bilingual province in Canada, with francophones composing one-third of our population, we are especially attractive to French-speaking immigrants who can access services in their language while learning English.

As French-speaking immigrants call New Brunswick home, they bring with them a dynamic and vibrant energy to francophone and Acadian communities. This occasion provides us with the opportunity to strengthen the sense of belonging in our francophone communities and reflect upon the value francophone immigrants bring to our province.

The week is an initiative of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada (website in French only) and the Réseaux en immigration francophone. The annual event first began in New Brunswick and was later adopted nationally.