A new study funded by the Department of Immigration intends to find new incentives to bring French-speaking immigrants to English-speaking cities.
Although the Official Languages Act was passed 50 years ago, many English-speaking Canadians still don’t know French, and French-speaking migrants tend not to settle in English-speaking communities, furthering the divide.
The study will include a round of interviews to determine which cities will receive a welcoming grant. English-speaking cities receiving the grant will work with the Department of Immigration to help make them more inviting to French-speaking newcomers. Once the cities are chosen, their success in helping French-speaking newcomers feel welcomed will be determined by a further round of surveys.
The funding amount for the study hasn’t been disclosed, but so far $4.5 million has been spent to hire a team of federal consultants to oversee the project.
Currently, Sudbury, Calgary, Iqaluit and Labrador City are involved in the project.