16th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie-Dieppe-Moncton, New Brunswick, June 15 and 16, 2011/The Face of the New Canadian Francophonie: A Force for Canada

DIEPPE-MONCTON, NEW-BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - June 16, 2011) - The ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie, meeting in Moncton, have agreed to continue their joint efforts to foster the development of Francophone communities and persons living in French in Canada.

The 16^th Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie, which ended today, allowed the ministers to take a fresh look at a vibrant, diverse and inclusive Canadian Francophonie.

"The Canadian Francophonie is increasingly diverse and is a force that strengthens Canada as a whole," declared the Honourable Paul Robichaud, New Brunswick Deputy Premier, Minister of Economic Development and Minister responsible for La Francophonie. "It is important that the Francophonie develop in step with a changing Canadian society. We must respond to the challenges and know how to adapt to new needs."

"Our Government is committed to Francophones throughout the country," reaffirmed the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and for La Francophonie, in the name of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. "This Conference is an excellent forum for promoting greater cooperation between governments. It creates stronger partnerships and enables dialogue on the future of the Canadian Francophonie."

Inspired by the Conference's theme, The Face of the New Canadian Francophonie, and the comments from their guest speaker, Michel Cormier, journalist and Director of Radio-Canada Acadie, the ministers discussed ways to improve and adapt their services to better meet the needs of a broader Canadian Francophonie.

The ministers looked at the Conference's achievements with respect to Francophone immigration and agreed to continue their collaborative efforts in this area.

The ministers also discussed the issue of economic development with respect to the Canadian Francophonie, a priority area for the Conference, and will continue to encourage pan-Canadian dialogue, specifically exchanges among the main stakeholders in the public, private and voluntary sectors. As a result, the Conference is pleased to announce that an independent steering committee is organizing a pan-Canadian forum on economic development with respect to the Canadian Francophonie, which will be held in the fall of 2012.

The next conference will take place on June 26 and 27, 2012, in Edmonton, Alberta.

Created in 1994, the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie is the only intergovernmental forum bringing together the ministers responsible for the Canadian Francophonie. The Conference works toward an open, dynamic and diverse Francophonie which contributes to, and fully participates in, the growth of Canadian society.

Consult the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie website: www.cmfc-mccf.ca.