ARCHIVED – An annotated bibliography of francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada

Academic Works

BALDACCHINO, Godfrey, “Coming to, and Settling on, Prince Edward Island: Stories and Voices.” A Report on a Study of Recent Immigrants to PEI, University of Prince Edward Island, 2006, 84 p.

Purpose of the publication: This is a report on a questionnaire-based (electronic, paper or oral) empirical study of 320 migrants who settled in Prince Edward Island between 1998 and 2003. The study covers 88 persons born outside Canada (international immigrants).

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: There is no separate treatment of Francophones in this report. The author indicates that 10 of the 320 participants responded in French and that 82 indicated that they understood French. It is difficult to determine how many of the 88 international immigrants in the study are French-speaking (although a table shows the country of origin: 2 come from France, 1 from Cameroon, and a few come from other countries, such as Switzerland or Romania, where French is sufficiently widespread), but the overall sample also included 22 respondents who came from Quebec and 19 others who came from New Brunswick, who could also be among the respondents who chose French.

Study objectives and overall results: The study sought to gather information from migrants on the reasons that prompted them to settle in Prince Edward Island and to remain there (the pull factors), by emphasizing economic, educational, socio-cultural, environmental and health-related factors. The quality of life and its various facets accounted for the most common response. On the other hand, it was also pointed out that the local social networks, which are very tightly woven, are often difficult to penetrate, especially for persons who come from outside Canada.

Results relevant to the topic of Francophone immigration: Three elements mentioned in the results relate more specifically to the Francophone dimension of migration. First, some Francophone respondents indicated that they consider themselves part of a visible minority on account of their language. Second, a number of respondents decried the lack of services in the Francophone community. Third, among the respondents who pointed out that Island residents are closed to the idea of diversity, a number of them indicated that this closed-mindedness also applies to linguistic diversity; as a result, two respondents who came originally from Quebec explained that they had encountered a great deal of hostility and problems integrating as a result of their language (French).

Methodology: A questionnaire-based survey, using primarily closed-ended questions, as well as a number that were open-ended, where respondents were asked to provide as much information as they wished; because of this, the author is able to refer to this as a qualitative study.

Key words : Settlement and integration; factors that motivated settling in Atlantic Canada.

BELKHODJA, Chedly, “Le défi de la régionalisation en matière d’immigration: l’immigration francophone au Nouveau-Brunswick”, Canadian Issues/Thèmes canadiens, Spring 2005, pp. 124–127.

Purpose of the article: The author describes recent developments in the regionalization of Francophone immigration in New Brunswick.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: This article is directly relevant because it deals with Francophone immigration in the Atlantic provinces.

Summary: After reviewing the theoretical context that leads Canadian provinces to take control of immigration (reconfiguration of the role of the nation-state in light of globalization and the decentralization of federalism), Belkhodja points out the key challenges faced by the Atlantic region (low numbers of immigrants, demographic issues, and the reputation the region has for being homogeneous and conservative), and also two new dynamics that are more favourable to immigration (discourse on a new pan-Canadian identity and sustained growth rate).

The author then describes initiatives aimed at fostering Francophone immigration to the region. In the wake of the work by the CIC committee on Francophone immigration and the reflections of the FCFA (which has launched a dialogue on a plural Francophonie in which the communities in the West appear to recognize themselves more easily than do the Acadian communities), the SAANB has recognized the importance of the challenge associated with integration and has established a provincial round table on Francophone immigration. It has also commissioned a number of studies, which show that the dialogue on immigration is too severely limited to the contributions of demographics and economics.

Belkhodja concludes on three elements: First, the work that needs to be done on identity diversification, which is difficult in a context that has resorted so much to a discourse on duality to be able to successfully carve out a lieu de vie francophone; second, the importance of raising awareness in the host societies with a view to fostering a sense of openness; and, finally, the need to get beyond the utilitarian concept of immigration.

Methodology: Documentary analysis and observation.

Key words: Public policies and strategies; institutions.

BELKHODJA, Chedly, “A More Inclusive City? The Case of Moncton, New Brunswick”, Our Diverse Cities, No. 2, Summer 2006, pp. 118–121.

Purpose of the article: The author illustrates an ongoing research project on managing diversity in mid-size cities by providing preliminary impressions, using Moncton as an example.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: Because Moncton is a bilingual city, all the measures presented in this article are relevant. A number of initiatives that relate more specifically to Francophone immigration are also described.

Summary : Greater Moncton is often touted as a success story by the media (including the previous edition of Our Diverse Cities) because of its economic resurgence, its bilingual dimension, and its demographic growth. Here, Belkhodja provides an analysis grid for a draft comparative analysis covering various cities and towns; the project was conducted with the help of several researchers. The study looks at immigration structures and players, programs and services, representations of local development and integration, immigrants’ perceptions of these services and measures, and the links between the various stakeholders and sectors.

In the second part, the author describes initiatives undertaken in Moncton. While the region has seen migratory flows, there are very few international immigrants and these come from traditional sources. However, the numbers could increase, first because of a new secondary migration trend which sees movement to smaller towns, and in particular a trend for French-speaking immigrants to settle outside Quebec and, second, on account of an increase in the number of international studies in the province’s colleges and universities. Enterprise Greater Moncton, an economic development agency, is one of the stakeholders that has taken on the immigration file; one of their initiatives described by Belkhodja relates to the plan to develop a Chinese village in Moncton in order to attract immigrants from China. The author then points out the Francophone element to certain initiatives: the SAANB has looked at the file; in more concrete terms the CAIIMM would like to develop “a physical location for intercultural activities downtown that would assist in the reception and integration of Francophone immigrants, who sometimes feel disoriented in a city with an English-speaking majority”; finally, a community television station presents French-speaking immigrants as part of its program entitled Couleurs de l’Acadie.

The author points out that cities will have to take up the challenge of making the immigrant visible (socially, politically and culturally). There also needs to be a dialogue with the immigrant communities and they need to be included in decision-making bodies, instead of simply targeting immigrants who meld into the broader community. There also need to be awareness tools (such as those from UNESCO or the public forums in Ottawa) that help combat racial discrimination and racism, which are still very much present in cities and towns that are primarily homogeneous. The author concludes by pointing out some of the encouraging signs of diversity that are more visible on a daily basis, citing the example of non-competitive soccer games that have become the scene of intercultural exchanges.

Methodology: Not specified.

Key words : Public policies and strategies (municipal level).

BELKHODJA, Chedly, “Managing a New Diversity: The Immigration Question in the Greater Moncton Area”, INSCAN: International Settlement Canada, Research Resource Division for Refugees, Vol. 21, No. 3, Winter 2008, pp. 1–4.

Purpose of the article: Belkhodja presents a picture of the state of immigration in the Greater Moncton Area, using various figures and illustrating the recent immigration-focused initiatives. (This is an update of the previous article, which uses primarily the same presentation, but with additional details regarding certain aspects).

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: Since Moncton is a bilingual city, all the initiatives described in this article are relevant. A number of initiatives that relate more specifically to Francophone immigration are also described (see abstract).

Abstract : Greater Moncton is often touted as a success story in the media because of its economic resurgence, its bilingual dimension, and its demographic growth. The latter is primarily the result of intraprovincial migration (specifically Francophones from the North who come to settle in Dieppe). In fact, international immigrants are few in number and come from traditional sources. However, the local stakeholders are aware of the imminent need, and there has already been a recent increase that can be attributed to the Nominee Program, targeted recruitment in a number of countries, and recruitment of foreign students, especially by the Université de Moncton (a French-speaking university).

Belkhodja then describes a number of initiatives specific to Moncton that have been taken by three agencies. First, MAGMA, established in 1980, is the primary agency devoted to welcoming and integrating new immigrants and refugees. It presents itself as a bilingual agency. Second, CAIIMM, established in 2006, is the result of two sources—a local awareness-raising agency, and a new dynamic surrounding Francophone immigration, integrating Francophone immigration into the planned Acadian community society, led by SAANB and the New Brunswick Round Table on Francophone Immigration. CAIIMM focuses on both newly arrived immigrants and immigrants who have already settled, and also attempts to be a forum for dialogue with the host society through activities, but also thanks to a physical location serving as a common cultural stage. Finally, the economic stakeholders, working together as Enterprise Greater Moncton in partnership with the province’s other two main cities, are betting on foreign recruitment and promotion as part of a regional strategy to attract immigrants.

Finally, the author highlights two major issues linked to the dynamic of immigration to relatively homogeneous cities. On the one hand, there is the desire to make the immigrant visible (socially, politically and culturally), instead of simply targeting immigrants who meld into the general society. Second, consciousness-raising tools (such as those used by UNESCO or the public forums in Ottawa) need to be developed for use in combating racial discrimination and racism, which are still very much present in primarily homogeneous cities and towns. The author concludes by pointing out a number of encouraging signs and gives examples of small interactions from daily life.

Methodology: Not specified.

Key words : Public policies and strategies (local initiatives); immigrant services.

BOUDREAU, Annette, “Why Have a Language Management Council in New Brunswick?”, Hélène DESTREMPES and Joe RUGGERI (eds. ), Rendez-vous immigration 2004, Atlantic Metropolis Centre and University of New Brunswick, 2005, pp. 325–342.

Purpose of the article: The author highlights the interest in the issue of language management in attracting and retaining immigrants (especially French-speaking immigrants) in New Brunswick.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: The article relates directly to the topic.

Abstract : Boudreau begins by relating the origin of the Language Management Council of New Brunswick, which was established in 2004 to “enhance the vitality of both language groups” and to respond to the shortcomings in language legislation which, in New Brunswick, focuses primarily on the formal status of languages (equality of rights and privileges of both linguistic communities), which is just one of the three major components generally included in language management, which also includes the corpus and the circulation of languages (the linguistic landscape, in the broader sense of the term). This last component primarily involves the way in which the perception of language status influences language practices.

The author then looks at the interest the province has in fostering language management, specifically with respect to increasing immigration to New Brunswick. Boudreau shows that immigrants, who are generally poorly informed on the issue by the “advertising the province does of its bilingual character”, believe that bilingualism in New Brunswick is such that “they can switch from one language to another without any problem”. However, once they arrive, normally in the larger cities in the southern part of the province, they discover a linguistic landscape that is largely dominated by English, with few services in French and few opportunities for finding a French-language or even a bilingual work environment—in short, a public space where the “minority language does not occupy its rightful place”. Further, immigrants are rarely informed of the regional differences that would have allowed them to select a region where “people can thrive as Francophones”. Boudreau then goes on to describe the benefits that would accrue to the province from developing its bilingualism to attract and retain more immigrants. In effect, many of the immigrants interviewed by Boudreau indicated that the bilingualism that they expected to find in the province had been a factor in attracting them to New Brunswick. Measures need to be developed, therefore, to enable Francophones to live in New Brunswick without having to sacrifice “being French” and to raise awareness among Anglophones of the added value brought by “an environment where the two cultures benefit from one another”. This type of genuine bilingualism could then be presented to potential immigrants, both Anglophone and Francophone, as one of New Brunswick’s advantages.

Methodology: Qualitative analysis of interviews.

Key words : Language management.

BOUDREAU, Annette, Sonya MALABORZA and Isabelle VIOLETTE, Les immigrants et leur(s) langue(s) dans les Provinces maritimes, Working Paper Series from the Atlantic Metropolis Centre, WP-02, 2005–2006, 26 p.

Purpose of document: This publication from the Working Paper Series of the Atlantic Metropolis Centre describes an ongoing research project and the results of a preliminary survey consisting of a series of experiences that provide a description of the socio-linguistic biographies of six Francophone immigrants, most of whom are from the Moncton area.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: Obviously, this research project is directly relevant to Francophone immigration in Atlantic Canada.

Abstract: The overall project seems all-encompassing (study of New Brunswick advertising aimed at immigrants, qualitative interviews of immigrants throughout Atlantic Canada, and study of linguistic representations from host areas in Acadia); it will address four major topics—the relationships between language, identity, and transnationalism; relations between Anglophones and Francophones; the dynamics of language assimilation and differentiation in urban settings; and the adaptation of policies to the province’s socio-linguistic reality.

To a more limited extent, the results of the preliminary study show that immigrants feel that foreign advertising about Canada and about New Brunswick does not paint a clear enough picture of the socio-linguistic dynamic that exists here; either people do not know that it is possible to live in French in New Brunswick, or they think that it is a place where you can speak French or English anywhere and be understood or use the language of your choice. Some of the respondents ended up in Moncton as the result of secondary migration; others ended up there because that was where they chose to go to university. Those who attended schools there experienced difficulty finding work suited to their qualifications (even though these qualifications were obtained in Canada), in large measure because of their inadequate grasp of English.

Methodology: Qualitative survey.

Key words : Language representations.

CONRAD, Margaret and Heather STEEL, “They Come and They Go: Four Centuries of Immigration to New Brunswick”. Edited by Hélène DESTREMPES and Joe RUGGERI, Rendez-vous immigration 2004, Atlantic Metropolis Centre and University of New Brunswick, 2005, pp. 79–113.

Purpose of the article: Conrad and Steel describe the major period in the history of immigration to New Brunswick and highlight a number of recurrent patterns in policy direction and in the low rate of retention.

Overall results: The authors describe five distinct periods of immigration to New Brunswick, each characterized by different orientations: colonization (1604–1815); settlement, especially by the Irish (1815–1867); agricultural immigration (1867–1945); disinterest in the issue of immigration (1946–1973); and policy orientation toward the issue of labour, including the issue of foreign students (1973–2004). Regardless of the intensity of the efforts, each of these periods is characterized by a low retention rate. The authors also mention intolerance to cold in New Brunswick several times in relation to diversity.

Results relevant to the topic of Francophone immigration in Atlantic Canada: A number of passages deal specifically with Francophone immigration. Following the period of French colonization (discussed at the beginning of the article), Francophones no longer had any direct interest in immigration. In 1881, Francophone leaders were mistrustful of immigration policies, which were designed to integrate immigrants into the Anglophone communities; instead, they created the Société de colonisation acadienne, seeking ways to keep their young people in the region, but, in the absence of any support from Anglophones or Catholic institutions (which were primarily Irish), these measures were unsuccessful (p. 56). With respect to the Post-War period (some thirty years), the authors state that Francophones did not attempt to follow the lead of Quebec and take control of the immigration process with a view to ensuring their demographic balance (p. 66). In the most recent period, the authors note that New Brunswick is attracting a greater percentage of French-speaking immigrants than the other regions of Canada outside Quebec, but that these immigrants tend to integrate into the English-speaking communities.

Conclusions: New Brunswick immigration policies have never had any lasting success, primarily because they were generally based on local needs. The authors recommend that a longer-term vision be developed and that consideration be given to the needs of newcomers, and, finally, that recognition and acceptance be given to the fact that the arrival of immigrants will change the social fabric of the province.

Methodology: Study of historical documentation and documentary analysis.

Key words : Public policy; attitudes toward immigration; retention.

DESTREMPES, Hélène, “Moncton, A Linguistic and Cultural Crossroads”, Our Diverse Cities, No. 1, Spring 2004, pp. 96–98.

Objective of the article: Destrempes describes a field of research at the Atlantic Metropolis Centre (newly established at the time), showing how it fits in to the province’s linguistic configuration.

Abstract: Bringing together linguistic and cultural diversity, Destrempes begins by describing the existing linguistic and cultural situation in Moncton, a city that had just declared itself bilingual, following adoption of New Brunswick’s Official Languages Act. The article then goes on to describe a number of community or citizen group activities that promote either linguistic diversity (the Language Management Council of New Brunswick) or the issue of welcoming and integrating immigrants (MAGMA), or both (SAANB).

The author then describes the work of various researchers from the Université de Moncton on either bilingualism or immigration-related issues, specifically in the Acadian context. Finally, she discusses the Atlantic Metropolis Centre, and in particular the area of culture, language and identity, the very existence of which is in part the result of the cultural makeup of the Maritimes. This topic encompasses three key themes: (1) the particular characteristics surrounding the reception and integration of immigrants into a minority context, that is one involving institutional shortcomings and the lack of a citizen identity; (2) the representation multiple forms of otherness (in artistic productions and also school programs); and (3) the study of cultural and linguistic contacts and transfers.

Methodology: Not specified.

Key words : Diversity

FONTAINE, Louise, “Processus d’établissement, nouvel arrivant et structure d’accueil à Halifax (Nouvelle-Écosse) : une exploration de quelques actions concrètes”, Canadian Ethnic Studies/Études ethniques canadiennes, Vol. XXXVII, No. 3, 2005, pp. 136–149.

Objective of the article: Fontaine very concretely documents the form taken by the process of immigrant reception and integration, as it takes place at the Halifax MISA.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: No separate treatment of French-speaking immigrants is proposed. The language issue is not mentioned (except for a reference to courses in English as a second language).

Abstract: Following a theoretical introduction on the Crozier and Friedberg approach and a presentation of the methodology, Fontaine provides a detailed description of the various phases of the services offered by MISA, in particular to refugees who are sponsored by the federal government. This makes it possible to solidify concepts such as settlement, and adaptation and integration, which are often used without being explained (p. 137).

Methodology: Exploratory and rather descriptive case study based on observation (direct and participatory), interviews and discussions, as well as documentary analysis.

Key words : Immigrant services.

GALLANT, Nicole, “Diversity and New Brunswick’s Francophone Schools”, Hélène DESTREMPES and Joe RUGGERI (eds.), Rendez-vous immigration 2004, Atlantic Metropolis Centre and University of New Brunswick, 2005, pp. 343–373.[note 4]

Objective of the article: Gallant examines the specific ways in which the Francophone educational system of New Brunswick (and in particular the Francophone section of the Department of Education) perceives and addresses immigration.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada : Since this is a case study looking at New Brunswick, this article is directly relevant.

Abstract: After providing background on the linguistic duality of New Brunswick’s education system and the low number of immigrants in the province’s French-language schools, the article divides into two major sections. The first deals with how the individual immigrant is perceived and treated by the province’s French-language educational institutions. Gallant shows that the Anglophone sector has developed a major series of reflections on the adaptation and inclusion of the immigrant student into its classes, whereas the Francophone sector has adopted a universalist approach, advocating a type of equality that is evidenced by a treatment that is uniform and identical (with the exception of French-as-a-second-language courses, but these are given outside the school setting). Gallant points out that some of the different treatments are nevertheless necessary during a period of adaptation, precisely because they allow the immigrant student to achieve a level of equality with the others (a transition with respect to the pedagogical content, the level of knowledge of French or its local variants, as well as the social codes specific to the host society). However, the author warns of abuse when it comes to the desire to validate the immigrant student’s difference, something that can lead to marginalization if too much effort is put into it.

The second part of the article deals with the way in which diversity is presented to students in general (including both immigrants and non-immigrants). Here, the Francophone sector shows a desire to inculcate its students with a degree of openness to the world, but the educational institutions evoke this diversity as though it were somewhere outside the field of education and the official-language community, and not right inside it. The author indicates that, in order to foster openness toward immigration on the part of New Brunswick’s Francophone communities, on the contrary there needs to be developed in the minds of the students an inclusive concept of belonging to these communities.

The article concludes with three recommendations for a possible immigration policy in New Brunswick: the need to deal with education within a coherent policy on immigration; the need to separate the immigration policy from its administration in order to reflect the province’s linguistic duality (such as the Department of Education); and the introduction of a serious program to encourage openness and awareness on the part of students and teachers in all French-language schools.

Methodology: Documentary analysis, informal discussions and analysis of discourse. Political and sociological outlook on education.

Key words: Education; attitudes to immigration; public discourse on immigration.

GALLANT, Nicole, “When Immigrants are the Minority within the Minority: Openness and Identity Inclusion in Francophone Minority Communities”, Our Diverse Cities, No. 3, 2007, pp.  85–87.

Objective of the article: Gallant presents the results of a qualitative survey on openness to immigration and identity inclusion among Francophones living in minority communities.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: The study compares two areas, one of which is the Acadian portion of the Maritimes. The compared results are therefore directly relevant to the issue of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada.

Abstract: This article focuses on the symbolic aspects of the reception and integration of immigrants into a Francophone minority environment, using Acadia and the French-speaking portions of Saskatchewan as case studies. With respect to attitudes to immigration, most of the respondents are favourable to Francophone immigration in their regions, either because of its demographic contribution (French-speaking Saskatchewan) or for the cultural diversity that it brings (Acadia), but approximately one-third of the respondents expressed a number of reservations (primarily the fear that the local identity would be diluted). In representing the local Francophonie, the respondents from French-speaking Saskatchewan have very diverse definitions of what makes a Franco-Saskatchewanian, but respondents were able to identify three major types of Acadians: someone who is of Acadian descent, or someone who feels that they are Acadian and lives the Acadian culture, or a combination of both. Finally, with respect to identity inclusion (that is, the possibility for immigrants to “become” Acadian or Francophone-Saskatchewanian, and therefore be considered full-fledged members of the group), the respondents are less inclusive in Acadia than in the French-speaking areas of Saskatchewan; this is due in part to the salience of the genealogical-type definitions. Gallant notes therefore that openness to immigration is no guarantee of identity inclusion—far from it—but that, conversely, the desire for identity inclusion is not required in order for there to be openness. She therefore questions the need to foster inclusive identity, which, she feels, needs to be a societal choice that Francophone minority communities need to make.

Methodology: Semi-directed interviews with 43 young people (ages 18 to 25) living in various parts of the two areas studied.

Key words: Attitudes to immigration; identity.

GALLANT, Nicole and Chedly BELKHODJA, “Production d’un discours sur l’immigration et la diversité par les organismes francophones et acadiens au Canada”, Canadian Ethnic Studies/Études ethniques canadiennes, Vol. XXXVII, No. 3, 2005, pp. 35–58.

Objective of the article: Gallant and Belkhodja present an analysis of the discourse on immigration found on the Web sites of Francophone minority organizations in Canada.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: The authors discuss Canadian Francophone minority organizations as a whole, and include a specific sample of New Brunswick organizations. The analysis does not identify any particular regional trends; based on the illustrations, we can deduce that most of the findings presented in this article relate as much to Atlantic-region Francophone organizations as to any others.

Abstract: After presenting the organizational structure of Canada’s minority Francophonie, as well as demographic data on Francophone immigration to parts of Canada outside Quebec, the authors show the genesis of the discourse on immigration and diversity within these organizations.

The central portion of the article is devoted to an analysis of the discourse carried on by these organizations. The authors begin by showing how immigrants are designated and characterized: the term “newcomers” seems to be more prevalent than “immigrants”; other expressions are used to mark ethnic and cultural differences, but some terms are more inclusive; a number of organizations present immigrants as a monolith and others simply see immigrants as one of the facets in the diversification of their client base. The authors then go on to discuss two key trends in the ways in which groups define the local Francophonie: either they include immigrants in a description of the internal diversity of the communities (a diversity that is sometimes highlighted as being a strength, and not simply a statement of facts), or their discourse sets immigrants apart from the local Francophonie, and therefore also outside it. This tendency to show immigrants as an otherness, in comparison with the minority francophonies represented by these organizations, can even be seen in groups that maintain a discourse on the need for openness to immigration.

In conclusion, the authors suggest first that the organizations reflect on the sincerity of their intentions toward openness and, where necessary, purge their discourse so that it reflects that intention to a greater degree. Second, the authors point out that the discourse on immigration is focused on the needs of the host society, whereas a fully inclusive discourse should also take into account the needs of the immigrants themselves.

Methodology: Analysis of discourse (recital and analysis of thematic content) found on the sections of Web sites dealing with immigration and diversity.

Key words : Public discourse on immigration; attitudes to immigration.

GALLANT, Nicole, Jean-Olivier ROY and Chedly BELKHODJA, “L’immigration francophone en milieu minoritaire : portrait de quatre municipalités rurales”, Journal of Eastern Townships Studies, No. 29–30, Fall 2006/Spring 2007, pp. 79–98.[note 5]

Objective of the article: Gallant, Roy and Belkhodja summarize the results of four case studies on rural municipalities that have attracted French-speaking immigrants, looking at how they orchestrated the three key phases of immigration—attraction, reception, and retention/ integration.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: In general, the research is relevant to Francophone minority immigration. One of the four cases studied is in Nova Scotia (Clare); where the results for this case deviate from the general trends observed, they will be presented in the abstract that follows.

Abstract : After presenting the statistical aspects and the key pan-Canadian objectives of Francophone minority immigration, the authors present the results of their study. Attraction is an activity generally carried out by economic stakeholders, and therefore responds to economic needs, which sometimes differ from the often more demographic objectives of other community stakeholders. For their part, immigrants decry the lack of information given to them when they are being recruited. With respect to reception, many local players, demonstrating [translation] “a very high level of confidence in the spontaneous, friendly nature of the community”, do not see the relevance of formal reception structures, but this lack of formal structures is decried by immigrants who have already arrived. Finally, when it comes to integration, the results of the four cases are much more diverse, but the authors note that in all cases, immigrants want English courses in order to be able to benefit from services available in the region (which are mostly provided in English) and also want to see an expansion of their social network (which raises issues regarding the limits of the inclusion community). In the case of Clare, immigrants appear to be the most satisfied and the most integrated; this could be attributable to the fact that immigrants have been there longer, meaning that the community has become more accustomed to diversity, and also to the community’s generally open and welcoming nature.

Two major issues emerge from this study: first, the crying need for greater cooperation among community stakeholders (Clare has gone a long way toward this) and, second, the need to provide potential French-speaking immigrants with accurate information regarding the problems of living in French in a minority environment.

Methodology: Semi-directed interviews with local stakeholders and immigrants.

Key words : Immigrant services.

LAFONTANT, Jean et al., “La reconnaissance des diplômés internationaux francophones en santé : un potentiel pour les communautés francophones en situation minoritaire au Canada”, Université de Moncton, Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities, January 2006, 92 p.

Objective of the report: This report describes the results of a questionnaire-based survey regarding French-speaking immigrants who hold international degrees in the field of health. The survey, carried out in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick, included 38 degree-holding immigrants (physicians, nurses and support-care workers), 11 placement agencies and 13 employers.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: New Brunswick was one of the cases studied (but none of the 11 agencies are from that province, because the researchers did not identify any Francophone placement agencies there). Also, the data are often broken down by province, which occasionally makes it possible to identify special situations and, more often, the convergence of New Brunswick results with those of the other provinces in the study.

Abstract : The study corroborates what the literature review suggests: it seems that there are few specificities relating to the Francophone component, except for a few minor difficulties that are added, but these are not considered the most important by the stakeholders interviewed.

Following an overview of the national demographic data on immigrants in health-related professions and the specificities of the Francophone context (French-speaking immigrants have a linguistic advantage, but it is little recognized; communities have fewer resources available to implement solutions), the authors present the results of their survey.

Generally speaking, the immigrants interviewed who hold degrees in a health-related profession do not expect to have to leave their province; when this is the case, their reasons are primarily employment related. Regarding their difficulties in integrating professionally, these resemble those given in other studies, and are not exclusive to Francophones: recognition of their professional qualifications, the complex architecture of organizations involved in the recognition process; the cost (financial and social) of upgrading courses; and labour-market and employer requirements. This process is more complicated in the three provinces outside New Brunswick because everything is done in English.

Regarding efforts made by these immigrants to find employment, the first observation concerns the need to learn English. Also, one-third of the respondents have taken health-related courses and one-third also consider that they have found employment appropriate to their training; when they work in other fields, it is most often because they need the income. A number of respondents pointed out that the use of French in the workplace is an important, but secondary, criterion when choosing employment.

Finally, with respect to solutions proposed by the respondents, they generally do not involve the language issue, except that a number of respondents reportedly suggested to potential immigrants that they learn English. On a more general basis, they rely primarily on their own talents and their personal efforts when seeking employment, but they would also like to see increased support from Canadian authorities (in particular in the fair and consistent evaluation of their foreign credentials and in targeted and effective upgrading courses).

Among the recommendations made by the authors, recommendations relating to language concern, first, the competitiveness of offers from Francophone institutions (regarding support, the accreditation process, employment conditions, and so on) compared with those from Anglophone institutions and, second, a level of vigilance to ensure that Francophones are taken into account when plans are made, because the fact that the accreditation process operates primarily in English places French-speaking immigrants in the health-care profession at a disadvantage.

Methodology: Questionnaire-based survey (telephone or mail).

Key words : Employment.

LAGHZAOUI, Ghizlane, “Diversité et francophonie. Création d’un espace francophone citoyen : identité linguistique francophone, équité, représentation et participation citoyenne”, paper presented at the National Metropolis Conference, March 2006.

Objective of the paper: The author argues in favour of the establishment of a “space for Francophone citizens”.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: The paper relates to the entire Francophonie minority, and therefore relates to Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada, but the point of view is primarily a Western Canadian one (because Laghzaoui states that these communities primarily share a link to the culture and language of Quebec, which is less the case in the Acadian communities).

Abstract: Laghzaoui observes that there are two competing types of definitions of a minority Francophonie: one is supposedly used by Francophones who trace their origins back to Quebec communities, and the other is used by the Francophone immigrant community. Recalling that, up until now, the diversity that these communities recognized in their midst is more the diversity among the provinces and territories, the author calls for a broadening of that diversity to include immigrants, or “newcomers”. This implies, first, a redefinition of linguistic identity: [translation] “French belongs to those who speak it”. Further, such a broadening can be achieved by building a space for French-speaking citizens, in a context of fairness, with citizen participation, seen as a means to educate people on differences and to bring cultures and their life experiences together, in something other than a confrontational manner.

Methodology: Opinion paper.

Key words : Attitudes on immigration; identity.

METROPOLIS, Accueil et présence des immigrants francophones en situation linguistique minoritaire, 2006.

Objective of the paper: This is a summary of the issues that emerged from a number of conferences held in Vancouver (Canadian Heritage Conference on Diversity and the Francophonie, November 2005, and Metropolis National Conference, March 2006).

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: Given its nature, the paper presents an eclectic mix of topics. Some deal with immigrants in general, while others deal with French-speaking immigrants in minority communities in particular. There is nothing that specifically addresses immigration to Atlantic Canada.

Abstract: A number of elements are more particularly relevant to this bibliography. First, on the question of the recognition of qualifications, the author notes that the bar is set higher for immigrants settling in Francophone minority communities, for various reasons: they are not recognized as Francophones; they are often visible minorities; in some communities, they reportedly face “systemic resistance” and [translation] “the refusal of professional bodies to allow qualified immigrants to work”. From a demographic standpoint, the data are unknown by the key stakeholders, and they complain of a lack of clarity, primarily because of statistical approaches based on first language (which results in many immigrants being classed as allophones). The community profiles produced by Canadian Heritage are based instead on the first official language spoken. This criterion is used in a demographic chart cross-tabulating French-speaking immigrants (according to region of origin) with the province in 2001: 215 for Newfoundland, 105 for Prince Edward Island, 1,585 for Nova Scotia and 2,820 for New Brunswick. The paper then focuses on Ontario (showing that, surprisingly, this calculation method in fact reduces the number of immigrants counted).

Methodology: Summary of conference proceedings.

Key words : Employment; demographics.

Canadian Issues/Thèmes canadiens, themed issue “Immigration and Diversity In Francophone Minority Communities”, Spring 2008.

Objective of publication: This special issue of Canadian Issues attempts to provide an outline of the issue of Francophone immigration in Canada through a series of brief articles that provide an overview of various themes and various regions of Canada.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: The entire issue deals with the theme of Francophone immigration, and a number of individual articles deal with this theme in the Atlantic Canada context.

Abstract: After background descriptions by Chedly Belkhodja, the issue looks at a whole range of topics, from the validity of Francophone communities (Ferron; Johnson; CIC) to their recruitment capacities (Magassa), including the ties between immigrant families and schools (Farmer), employment (Dalley) and rural life (Fontaine; Bourque), and the intraprovincial migration New Brunswick Acadians (Gignard). A number of articles deal with a specific province, territory or city. Some pan-Canadian articles supply significant information, specifically Jantzen, who shows that the proportion of immigrants in Francophone communities outside Quebec is around 11% to 15% (depending on the indicator used). But we are particularly interested here in those articles that deal with Atlantic Canada.

  • The first two articles that deal with this region raise the question of symbolic inclusion (identity and citizen) of immigrants in Acadia, compared with other Francophone minorities.

    First, Taisnel compares the case of Acadia to the Walloon region of Belgium and Quebec to show how these sectional nationalisms (of minorities) come to include the concept of diversity; this is due primarily to their approach to the local character of citizenship.

    On the same theme, Gallant shows that, despite a clearly expressed desire for openness to immigration, the dominant or traditional organizations in Acadia still do not have an inclusive conception of belonging to the community, unlike the French-speaking areas of Saskatchewan. Together these two articles show that when it comes to the question of immigration and diversity, there are several discourses at work in Acadia, some of them more inclusive than others.
  • In addition, there are two articles on the specificities of Francophone immigration in Nova Scotia.

    First, Fontaine points out that Francophone immigration to Nova Scotia presents the two-pronged challenge of Francophonie and rurality. She then goes on to list a number of particularities which characterize the rural lifestyle (grouped under 6 headings: geographic remoteness, employment, housing, family, neighbourhood, and lifestyle), particularities that are all issues for potential immigrants and for researchers.

    Also on the topic of immigration in Nova Scotia, Paquet, in a very descriptive article, describes a whole host of initiatives implemented by FANE, grouped into three categories: recruitment (for example, the creation of a Web site, participation in Destination Canada missions, and educating employers on immigration programs); sensitization and preparation of communities (for example, pictures of immigrants in community media, conferences with community groups or schools, regional immigration committees and public meetings, international dinners); and welcoming French-speaking newcomers (for example, visits to Francophone institutions, assistance registering children in Francophone day-care centres and schools, and activities to facilitate social and employment-related networking). He points out that FANE now has a full-time provincial coordinator and three part-time regional coordinators, as well as a steering committee (which includes a number of community stakeholders, CIC, and the provincial government). After highlighting the key successes (increased interest in immigration among most of the Francophone organizations, improved relations with Anglophone service providers, government partnerships, plans for a Francophone reception infrastructure in Halifax and welcome kits for the regions, and promotion of Acadian Nova Scotia), Paquet describes three challenges that will need to be met: (a) advancing the file in the outlying areas, which will be difficult, given the low number of immigrants and the fact that the expected benefits are longer-term; (b) consolidating the Francophone reception infrastructure in Halifax and having it recognized by the CIC regional office (which for some strange reason is afraid of the possibility of overlap with services offered in English); and (c) reviewing the immigration strategy of FANE by examining the possibility of including it in a broader repopulation plan. He concludes on the importance of recognizing the multi-dimensional facet of immigration and making it a collective project.
  • Next, there are two articles that directly address the question of the provision of immigrant reception and integration services in French, based on a case study of CAIIMM.
  • Violette points out the impact resulting from the language inequality on the retention and integration of francophone immigrants, primarily caused by the discrepancy between the expectations of Francophone immigrants with respect to bilingualism and the disappointing reality of the predominance of English. She shows the need to have uniquely Francophone reception and integration infrastructures in order for there to be a truly egalitarian form of bilingualism (especially because bilingual organizations tend to direct immigrants, even those who are French-speaking, toward English). She then documents the case of CAIIMM as an example of language management, that is, it is part of the deliberate initiatives to manage the co-existence of both languages in a shared territory. Violette underlines the possibilities offered by this type of approach (recruitment capacities, building of a common collective project between immigrants and locals around the shared concern of being able to live in French, and building an open and inclusive Francophonie); she concludes with a recommendation for the establishment of uniquely Francophone spaces and a presentation of the bilingual situation as it actually exists, especially during the process of recruiting and welcoming immigrants.
  • Focussing more directly on the case of CAIIMM, and after providing a background that primarily shows the low numbers of immigrants to New Brunswick, the article by Kasparian describes how CAIIMM came to be established. It began with a cultural and intercultural exchange centre (established in 2003) designed to raise awareness of cultural diversity, which established ties to key organizations in the Acadian community. But the desire by the region, and later provincial organizations, to see a Francophone reception and integration infrastructure drove it to transform itself in 2005 and again in 2006 until it became CAIIMM. CAIIMM has a multi-dimensional or global approach, evidenced primarily by networking, sensitization and intercultural education, partnership and the validation and exposure of various cultures. In concrete terms, CAIIMM attempts to do this through themed meetings and a host of other activities that promote contact among individuals of various origins in physical spaces (cultural activities, sporting activities, such as soccer games, etc.).
  • Lastly, in the final article in this special issue, Violette and Boudreau present the key findings of a diversified qualitative study (interviews, discussion groups, ethnographic observations, etc.). They show that the type of bilingualism experienced by immigrants in Moncton is very different from the bilingualism that they expected to see once they arrived there. Immigrants claimed that they were disturbed by the predominance of English and said that their weak grasp of English was a major hindrance to their integration into the labour force. The others indicated also that, while some immigrants have negative representations of the French spoken in Acadia, many like it and even use it themselves as a sign of their belonging to Acadia. They recommend (a) a realistic portrayal of the language situation in the region (specifically through public information sessions for immigrants), along with an increased importance on the value of French and an explanation of the social effects of individuals’ choices (such as the choice of an English or French school for their children); (b) the creation of spaces where Francophones can dialogue with one another; and (c) French-language courses for immigrants (to perfect their knowledge of the local language and its peculiarities, but also to provide improved awareness of the linguistic variations).

Key words : Identity; immigrant services; demographics; language.

VARMA, Manju, Issues of Diversity and Immigration in Atlantic Canada, prepared for the Department of Canadian Heritage, Halifax, 2001, 31 p.

Objective of the document: In this document, the purpose of which is to support the establishment of the Atlantic Metropolis Research Centre, the author paints a picture of various issues related to diversity and immigration in the Atlantic provinces.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: Varma addresses the question of the Acadian communities because they constitute one of the basic elements of Atlantic Canada’s diversity. First, she presents a brief history of the Acadian communities and also makes brief mention of the difficulties these communities face in establishing ties with French-speaking immigrants, especially those who are part of a visible minority. She attributes these difficulties to the struggles that the Acadians have experienced in the past in maintaining cohesion within themselves, struggles that have led them to relegate the immigration issue to the back burner.

Abstract: After describing a number of elements specific to the Atlantic Canada context and providing a number of definitions (concluding that one should accept the fluidity and intricacy of the terms “immigrant” and “diversity”), the author presents the principal facets of diversity in Atlantic Canada. She begins by describing three historical minorities (the Acadians, the Afro-Canadians, and the Micmacs and Malecites), who, on the one hand, have faced obstacles similar to those that immigrants will experience and who, in turn, will have to accept the diversity that comes with the arrival of immigrants. The remainder of the article is devoted to immigration. After presenting a number of statistics, Varma describes various challenges relating to immigration in the Atlantic provinces—difficulties integrating in places where there are few immigrants; identifying success factors for those who have made a success of immigration; the scarcity of sources of cultural support (specialty stores, places of worship, etc.); gaps between generations accentuated by small numbers; loss of first language in the absence of formal support; particular geography (isolation resulting from remoteness and the insular or rural nature of several of the regions); lack of research, resources and human expertise on the issue; problems related to social cohesion in a context that is unaccustomed to diversity; ageing of the population; and national identity. Varma concludes by stating that just because there are fewer immigrants to Atlantic Canada this does not mean that the issue of immigration in that part of the country is an uncomplicated one.

Methodology: Documentary analysis.

Key words : Demographics; diversity.

VATZ LAAROUSSI, Michèle, and Leslie ANGENEAU, “Why have a Canadian Immigration Observatory in Low Immigrant-populated Areas?”, Hélène DESTREMPES and Joe RUGGERI (eds. ), Rendez-vous immigration 2004, Atlantic Metropolis Centre and University of New Brunswick, 2005, pp. 555–571.[note 6]

Objective of the article: The authors explain the rationale for the establishment of an immigration research observatory in areas with low immigrant populations.

Relevance to the topic of Francophone immigration to Atlantic Canada: The specificities of Francophone immigration in Atlantic Canada are not discussed, but since Atlantic Canada is an area of low immigrant population, the theoretical approaches presented are relevant. More specifically, the authors point out that the linguistic aspect, piggybacked onto the distinction between majority and minority, can have an impact, primarily on the processes of affiliation, exclusion or discrimination. Further, the case of New Brunswick is referred to on several occasions, since researchers from the Université de Moncton are participating in the work of the observatory.

Abstract : After describing the demographic situation in low immigrant-populated areas (provinces that receive few immigrants, and also areas outside metropolitan regions in provinces, such as Quebec, that receive greater numbers of immigrants), the authors point to the importance of paying much closer attention to these areas, which are themselves diverse, and for which the results of existing studies on immigration to cities and towns are not directly transposable. Questions therefore need to be asked regarding the specific needs of both the local communities and the immigrants who settle there, and we need to develop localized knowledge, which must then be cumulated, systemized and modeled.

They then present an analysis model of the migratory process for this type of region and illustrate it amply with a case study (Lac-Mégantic, Quebec). The larger comparative dimensions of this model are as follows: the way in which immigrants arrive in the community (points of entry), for example via employment or as refugees; adaptation of the infrastructures and services (concentration, cooperation among organizations, and decentralization); the type of local demand (qualified workers, low-profile immigrants) and the clusters of immigrant communities; and the social climate. Localized study of all these dimensions through various cases will identify the impact of the context in which immigration occurs outside the larger centres.

Methodology: Case study; interviews; presentation of an analysis model that yields comparisons.

Key words: Immigration outside the larger centres; migration process.

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4. A comparison with Saskatchewan was published in summer 2008 (with an update to include the results from Acadia): Wilfrid Denis and Nicole Gallant, 2008, “Relever le défi de la diversité: une comparaison des idéologies en éducation en contexte minoritaire et majoritaire au Nouveau Brunswick et en Saskatchewan”, Éducation et francophonie Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 142–160.

5. The same study is summarized under the title “Francophone Immigration to Minority Communities: The Challenge for Rural Areas”, in Our Diverse Cities, No. 3, 2007, pp. 80–84.

6. This is now known as the Observatoire de l’immigration hors métropoles.

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