Is there a place for Francophones in tomorrow’s Canadian economy? The Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada is questioning this in response to the “generational” federal budget presented by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. François-Philippe Champagne. The budget is virtually silent on the issue of Francophonie, except for the announcement of Francophone immigration targets that will, in practical terms, represent a decline for our communities.

« In September, we asked the government for clarity on its vision of the role and value of the Francophonie in terms of Canadian identity and the country’s economy. Far from responding to this request, the budget provides no information on how cuts in various key departments will affect our communities.

Even in areas where there are major reinvestments, such as early childhood education and health care, we have more questions than answers, » said FCFA President Liane Roy.

The budget includes significant cuts to departments that are important to entire sectors of Francophone and Acadian community development, such as Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The FCFA is also disappointed by the low immigration levels announced in the budget. Even though the government is forecasting percentage growth in Francophone immigration targets, the low levels considerably reduce this increase.

“From our point of view, it is not a generational budget if it results in the continued demogr

aphic erosion of our communities. It is not a generational budget when the Francophonie is not positioned in any way as a lever for building the Canadian economy of tomorrow,” adds Ms. Roy.

The FCFA nevertheless welcomes the announcement regarding increased funding for CBC/Radio-Canada and the stabilization of funding for the Fête nationale de l’Acadie.