Discussion paper Favourable conditions for Francophone immigration in Ontario! Round of consultations to develop a provincial strategic plan for Ontario s three Francophone immigration support networks (RIFs)! 1 of! 19
Preamble The province s three (3) Francophone immigration support networks (Réseaux de soutien à l immigration francophone, or RIFs) in Northern Ontario, Eastern Ontario and Central and Southwestern Ontario are looking to develop a common strategic plan for Francophone immigration for the province for the 2018-2023 period. The strategic plan aims to establish both provincial and regional objectives. The RIFs hired the Regional Research and Intervention Centre for Economic and Community Development (CRRIDEC) affiliated with l Université de Hearst and the firm Les Sentiers du leadership to lead a strategic planning process that included the following steps: 1 Develop an overview of the situation in each of the three regions 2 Lead a province-wide round of consultations 3 Develop the provincial Francophone immigration strategic plan based on the results of the first two steps 4 Integrate a developmental evaluation strategy into the strategic plan 5 Develop regional operating plans for implementing the strategic plan! 2 of! 19
Nature and mandate of the RIFs The RIFs are community partners for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and are the main means of consultation and mobilization for Francophone immigration. The three RIFs are also partners for the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI) and the three RIF coordinators sit on the deputy minister s advisory committee (MCI). The 3 RIF represent a network comprising hundreds of partners from different areas of community development that are engaged in individual and collective leadership to: 1 Mobilize and consult efficiently with community, government and other partners to implement a comprehensive and consistent continuum for Francophone immigration (Francophone services for the promotion, recruiting, welcoming, settlement, economic integration and sociocultural inclusion of immigrants). Identify and document (mapping) the needs of immigrants throughout the immigration process. 2 3 Identify and document (mapping) the strengths, weaknesses and needs of Francophone communities in regards to immigrant welcoming, settlement and integration/inclusion.! 3 of! 19
Nature and mandate of the RIFs (continued) Promote, track and document (mapping) progress in regards to the implementation of promotion, welcoming, settlement and integration services in under-developed regions in their territory. 4 5 Collectively adopt and implement a strategic plan for Francophone immigration in their territory. Adopt and implement concrete action plans to meet the needs of immigrants and the communities. 6 7 Raise awareness, mobilize and adequately support employers so they will hire and integrate immigrants into the workplace. Raise awareness, mobilize and adequately support Francophone communities so they become more welcoming, more dynamic and more inclusive. 8 9 Actively participate in strategies and activities for the promotion of their community and the recruitment of immigrants in these communities.! 4 of! 19
Establish the framework for collaboration and coordination for the RIF Identify the strengths, weaknesses and needs of the community and the needs of immigrants Develop a common strategic plan based on the strengths, weaknesses and needs of the community and the needs of immigrants Develop action plans focused on priorities Comprehensive Francophone continuum of services for the promotion, recruiting, welcoming, settlement economic integration and sociocultural inclusion of immigrants Efficient coordination of services (referencing, referrals and sharing of information) Chart: Zone of direct influence of RIFs The chart above shows the logical sequence of intervention and the zone of influence of the RIFs in the theory of change for Francophone immigration. The specific results that RIFs aim to achieve based on their mandate can be categorized in four strategic priorities : 1) Consultation and collaboration: mobilize partners from various sectors; 2) Knowledge of strengths, weaknesses and needs: identify the community s strengths, weaknesses and needs as well as the needs of immigrants; 3) Co-planning and co-evaluation: develop a strategic plan and action plans focused on the strengths, weaknesses and needs as well as an evaluation strategy for these plans; 4) Promotion, awareness-raising and mobilization: strategies used to promote, raise awareness, mobilize and support the implementation of the RIF s plans and to engage and consult with other players to achieve the outcomes identified in the plans.! 5 of! 19
Issues of Francophone immigration in Ontario Despite the progress made to date, immigrants who choose to settle in Ontario and integrate into Ontario s Francophone communities run into obstacles at every step of the immigration process. These obstacles are identified in the report by the Group of Experts on Francophone Immigration 1 and in the White Paper on Francophone Immigration in Ontario 2. The success of Francophone immigration in Ontario requires the following steps, which are directly and indirectly linked to the mandate of the three RIFs along the Francophone immigration continuum : Mobilization, consultation and coordination of Francophone immigration stakeholders Promotion of the Ontario Francophone communities throughout the world Recruitment of a larger number of Francophone immigrants Referencing and welcoming immigrants in Francophone communities Settlement services offered by francophone organizations Job readiness measures to foster the economic self-sufficiency of Francophone immigrants Mobilization and support for employers Initiatives and services for the social, cultural and community inclusion of Francophone immigrants 1Group of Experts on Francophone Immigration 2015-2016. Recommendations to the government for supporting Francophone immigration. https://www.ontario.ca/page/group-experts-francophone-immigration-2015-2016. 2Assemblée de la francophonie de l Ontario. https://monassemblee.ca/action-politique/. 2017.! 6 of! 19
Progress of Francophone immigration in Ontario Since the publication of the Group of Experts on Francophone Immigration report for the Ontario government and the launch of the White Paper on Francophone Immigration in Ontario in March 2017, it is important to note that many positive measures have been taken to promote Francophone immigration in Francophone communities, namely : Specific measures have been adopted to promote and increase Francophone immigration : Improving the Express Entry system to make it easier for French-speaking temporary foreign workers and foreign students 3 to become permanent residents Reinstating the Avantage significatif francophone initiative under the Mobilité francophone program to make it easier to recruit Francophone workers through immigration New Francophone service providers are now recognized and financially supported : Pre-departure services Increase in the number of Francophone settlement service providers 3Canadian Bureau for International Education. Express Entry and International Students: Benefits and Challenges. Webinar. https://cbie.ca/learning/webinars/express-entry-international-students-benefitschallenges/.! 7 of! 19
The Canadian and Ontario governments are doing a better job at consulting with communities : Provincial advisory committee in Ontario National Community Table on Francophone Immigration and a joint committee at the federal level All levels of government and community bodies have made a more concerted effort to promote and support Francophone immigration in Francophone communities : National Francophone immigration week National summit on Francophone immigration held in Moncton in March, 2017 National summit in Toronto in February, 2018 to launch the action plan National symposium in Calgary in February, 2018 with community representatives Journée de réflexion sur l immigration francophone (conference on Francophone immigration) held in Calgary in March, 2018 New initiatives to promote communities and recruit Francophone immigrants from around the world : Launch the Destination Ontario français pilot project to promote French Ontario Focus on new potential immigrant pools Morocco and Algeria! 8 of! 19
Explore strategies to encourage Francophone immigration in Ontario s regions, away from large cities : In November 2017, the three RIF held a provincial forum in Timmins to focus on ways to encourage Francophone immigrants to settle in Ontario s regions Development of a province-wide strategic plan The Canadian and Ontario governments are taking positive measures to ensure the consistent implementation of an immigration continuum by and for Francophone communities : In November 2017, Ontario signed a new Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement 4 that now contains a specific appendix on Francophone immigration In 2018, the federal ministers responsible for immigration and La Francophonie announced a joint action plan aimed at increasing Francophone immigration In March 2018, the federal government announced the new Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023: Investing in our future. Francophone immigration is one of the pillars of this plan 4Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement - General Provisions 2017. Electronic version. Original signed November 24, 2017. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operationalinstructions-agreements/agreements/federal-provincial-territorial/ontario/immigration-agreement-2017.html! 9 of! 19
Let s get organized to succeed! The planets seem to be lining up and the timing is perfect for Ontario's Francophonie to take full advantage of the favourable conditions for Francophone immigration in Ontario. How can we get organized in a coherent way to help Francophone immigration succeed throughout Ontario? This round of consultations focuses on the strategies and actions that can be utilized on the provincial level and in each of Ontario s regions to better meet the needs of immigrants and to implement the programs, services and initiatives needed in Ontario s Francophone communities to ensure a comprehensive and efficient continuum for Francophone immigration in all four corners of the province. The continuum of Francophone immigration 5 RIF - Coordination of services Promotion and recruitment Reception and settlement Economic integration Sociocultural integration Complete continuum of services Coordination of services Destination of choice Promotion of services Process focused on the needs of immigrants Engaged employers Immigrants obtain jobs Welcoming communities More immigrants Success for immigrants Vitality of Francophone minority communities Chart: phase II - zone of indirect influence of RIFs 5Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada. National evaluation framework for RIFs. March 2018.! 10 of 19!
From the local to the regional level With the help of a provincial strategic plan and operational plans in the three major regions of the province, how can the RIFs carry out their mandate to achieve their objectives? Mandate of mobilizing, consulting with and coordinating Francophone immigration stakeholders a) How can the RIFs recruit more Francophone organizations and institutions and engage them in collaborative projects and partnerships in support of Francophone immigration? b) How can we mobilize all essential stakeholders to ensure a consistent continuum for Francophone immigration? c) How can we ensure a better collaboration of efforts and increase partnerships among stakeholders from different sectors (community, private sector, broader public sector, governments and municipalities)? d) How can we strengthen the RIFs capacities for coordination, collaboration, follow-up and evaluation? e) How can we better support partners as they implement the strategies established in their action plans?! 11 of 19!
Mandate of identifying and understanding the needs of immigrants aiming to settle in Francophone communities a) How can the RIFs continually update their inventory of the changing needs of immigrants? How can they prioritize immigrants needs? b) How can we keep pace with the needs of immigrants and community organizations? Mandate of mapping the programs and services available and the gaps that need to be filled to meet the needs of immigrants a) How can the RIFs continually update their maps of programs and services and continue to complete the continuum of services available to immigrants? Mandate of developing a strategic plan for each region in Ontario a) How can the RIFs make their strategic plan more relevant for RIF members and community organizations? How can we increase awareness of community organizations and institutions and seek their support?! 12 of 19!
Mandate of developing action plans to complete the continuum of services to immigrants a) How can we ensure that the action plans will be relevant and communicated to the region s organizations and institutions? b) How can we strengthen the commitment of RIF members and partners to achieve the action plans? How can we make progress on all steps of the Francophone immigration continuum a) Pre-departure services b) Initial welcome c) Referral and accompaniment to access government services driver s licence, health card, vehicle registration, etc. d) Referral and accompaniment to access financial services (banking, insurance, investments, etc.) e) Search for housing f) Referral and accompaniment to access municipal services g) Referral and accompaniment for community services such as legal services, health services, social services, Francophone early childhood services, primary/secondary/ post-secondary education, library! 13 of 19!
h) Job hunting and accompaniment in the process of economic integration i) Support efforts for recognition of foreign credentials j) Skills upgrading k) Upgrading French and English language skills l) Introduction to and inclusion in the cultural and community life of immigrants new home Mandate of promoting Francophone communities throughout the world and increasing the number of immigrants who settle in Francophone communities in the region a) How can we ensure that information about the community is communicated to potential immigrants and that this information is correct, relevant and attractive for potential immigrants? b) What information is most relevant and attractive for your region? c) How can we better promote our community or our region as a destination of choice for immigrants? d) How can we better promote the continuum of Francophone immigration to immigrants?! 14 of 19!
Mandate of fostering and facilitating the integration and economic self-sufficiency of immigrants who settle in Francophone communities a) What can we do to make it easier for immigrants to become economically self-sufficient? b) How can we better coordinate pre-departure services with the economic needs of the regions? c) How can we do a better job at reaching, sensitizing and mobilizing Francophone and Anglophone employers so they hire Francophone immigrant workers? d) How can we better promote and support these employers? e) How can we better refer Francophone immigrants to available jobs? f) How can we help Francophone immigrants to better prepare themselves to join the labour market? g) How can we ensure immigrants have access to adequate job readiness measures? h) How can we better centralize information about services offered by basic training organizations, skills development organizations, school boards and post-secondary institutions in order to better inform immigrants, welcome centres and settlement service providers about the availability of these services? i) How can we ensure that on-going follow-up and support are available to immigrants throughout the process of economic integration? j) How can we make it easier for immigrants to migrate within their chosen region or between regions?! 15 of 19!
Mandate of fostering and facilitating the social, cultural and community integration of Francophone or Francophile immigrant individuals and families a) How can the RIFs help communities in Ontario s regions become more welcoming, more dynamic and more inclusive? b) How can we make Ontario s Francophones and Francophiles more aware of the importance of immigration for the vitality/sustainability of the province s Francophonie and eliminate all forms of prejudice, misinformation, discrimination or racism? c) How can we better refer Francophone immigrants to services offered by and for Francophones? d) What can we do to ensure that immigrants who chose to integrate into a Francophone community have a positive and significant experience? e) How can we highlight the ways immigrants contribute to the vitality of our communities? f) How can we ensure that the Settlement Workers in Schools Program (SWIS) be put in place in all Francophone establishments? g) How can we help communities become more welcoming, more dynamic and more inclusive 6 in Ontario s three regions? h) How can we engage municipalities as preferred partners for the establishment of welcoming, dynamic and inclusive communities? Municipalities are key players in welcoming newcomers, helping them get settled and integrated into their new communities and supporting them in both official languages (bilingual signage and referral to services offered in French) 7. 6The characteristics of a welcoming, dynamic and inclusive community are listed in the appendix. 7Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada. Information guide on Francophone municipalities for municipalities. 2018. https://www.immigrationfrancophone.ca/images/ Guide_des_municipalites_en_immigration_francophone.pdf! 16 of 19!
Towards a provincial strategic plan (to be filled out on site) To increase support for Francophone immigration in Ontario and encourage settlement of Francophone immigrants in Ontario s regions, Ontario s three RIFs are looking to develop a province-wide strategic plan. The provincial strategic plan aims to : Better coordinate the efforts of Ontario s three RIFs Foster and facilitate the sharing of resources, tools and expertise Make it easier for immigrants to migrate within their chosen region or between regions Promote the equitable referral of potential immigrants based on the strengths and attractions of Francophone communities away from large centres Mobilize and better coordinate the efforts of provincial Francophone organizations and institutions! 17 of 19!
In your opinion, what three priority results should be the focus of the provincial strategic plan of Ontario s three Francophone immigration support networks (RIFs)? Result 1 : Result 2 : Result 3 :! 18 of 19!
Towards regional action (operational plans) In your opinion, what are the three main priorities needed to achieve a consistent Francophone immigration continuum in your region over the next 3 years? My region : Priority 1 : Priority 2 : Priority 3 :! 19 of 19!