Ottawa – In the leadup to the Council of the Federation meeting tomorrow and Friday in Winnipeg, the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada is asking the provincial and territorial premiers to intercede with the federal government for a reversal of its decision to eliminate the mandatory long form for the 2011 Census. The FCFA sent letters to this effect today to the 13 premiers and their ministers responsible for Francophone affairs.
“The consequence of not having reliable and representative data to rely on to develop programs and services for Francophones could well be an erosion of the vitality of French in British Columbia and elsewhere in Canada,” wrote FCFA President Marie-France Kenny.
The FCFA notes that several provincial and territorial governments including Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Quebec and Ontario have spoken out publicly against a decision that will deprive them of the data they rely on to craft a wide variety of policies, programs and services for all their citizens.
“We definitely want the issue to be raised at the Council of the Federation meeting, and we are also calling on all the premiers to develop a common position in favour of reinstating the mandatory long form for the 2011 Census,” says Ms. Kenny.
The FCFA also wishes to note that it has still not received any official response to the letters it sent starting in early July to the Minister of Industry, the Hon. Tony Clement, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Hon. James Moore, and the President of the Treasury Board, the Hon. Stockwell Day, to share with them the disastrous impact the elimination of the mandatory long form may have on the vitality of Canada’s Francophone and Acadian communities.
Yesterday, the FCFA sent a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on this issue.
The FCFA is a national organization that includes Francophone representative associations of nine provinces and the three territories, as well as ten national organizations. Its role is to defend and promote the rights and interests of the French-Speaking population outside Quebec.
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“The consequence of not having reliable and representative data to rely on to develop programs and services for Francophones could well be an erosion of the vitality of French in British Columbia and elsewhere in Canada,” wrote FCFA President Marie-France Kenny.
The FCFA notes that several provincial and territorial governments including Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Quebec and Ontario have spoken out publicly against a decision that will deprive them of the data they rely on to craft a wide variety of policies, programs and services for all their citizens.
“We definitely want the issue to be raised at the Council of the Federation meeting, and we are also calling on all the premiers to develop a common position in favour of reinstating the mandatory long form for the 2011 Census,” says Ms. Kenny.
The FCFA also wishes to note that it has still not received any official response to the letters it sent starting in early July to the Minister of Industry, the Hon. Tony Clement, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Hon. James Moore, and the President of the Treasury Board, the Hon. Stockwell Day, to share with them the disastrous impact the elimination of the mandatory long form may have on the vitality of Canada’s Francophone and Acadian communities.
Yesterday, the FCFA sent a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on this issue.
The FCFA is a national organization that includes Francophone representative associations of nine provinces and the three territories, as well as ten national organizations. Its role is to defend and promote the rights and interests of the French-Speaking population outside Quebec.
Serge Quinty, Communications Director
FCFA du Canada
Tel: 613-241-7600
Cell: 613-285-4820