Press release
(For immediate release)
Church Point, N.S. – November 7, 2021:
United in their desire to welcome Afghan refugees to Nova Scotia, the province’s Acadian and Francophone communities, with the support of the Réseau en immigration francophone de la Nouvelle-Écosse (RIFNÉ), are launching a campaign to attract refugees to their regions and to offer support to local organizations wishing to participate in their integration.
Emmanuel Nahimana, Coordinator for the RIFNÉ’s Nova Scotia Francophone Immigration Program, notes: “People don’t often think to settle in Nova Scotia in French. In reality, there are many vibrant Acadian and Francophone communities in our province that that would be privileged to welcome not only Francophones, but also immigrants and refugees who know neither English nor French. It is possible to live in French in Nova Scotia.”
At the Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse’s Annual General Meeting in October, stakeholders discussed Afghanistan’s refugee crisis and spoke of their willingness to help in any way. This inspired the RIFNÉ and partner groups to develop a set of key action items:
FOR REFUGEES
- Provide Afghan refugees with an information package in multiple languages detailing the profiles of Nova Scotia’s Acadian and Francophone communities as potential places to live;
- Offer information sessions to Afghan refugees in multiple languages about life in Nova Scotia and the benefits of settling in French;
- Host a fundraising campaign for Afghan refugees with the intention of purchasing gift cards to help them settle in their new communities.
FOR ACADIAN AND FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITIES
- Help promote these urban and rural areas as potential places for refugees to settle and thrive;
- Through information sessions and mentoring, help communities prepare to receive newcomers while promoting diversity and inclusion.
In the Municipality of Clare, one of 14 regions in Canada taking part in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Welcoming Francophone Communities pilot project, Deputy Warden Yvon LeBlanc emphasizes the importance of immigration for his community: “There are many benefits of immigration for Clare, from an economic standpoint, from a cultural standpoint, and from a humanitarian standpoint. We are fortunate to live in a peaceful community like Clare, and it would be an honour to share this peace with Afghan refugees, who are very much deserving of it.”
In the next few weeks, the RIFNÉ and partner groups will be launching web and social media campaign page detailing their initiative. It will also work with key community and government groups to ensure that the project is developed for and by the province’s Acadian and Francophone communities with the goal of welcoming Afghan refugees.
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The Réseau en immigration francophone de la Nouvelle-Écosse (RIFNÉ) is one of 13 francophone immigration networks in Canada, whose objective is to promote the reception, settlement and successful integration of francophone immigrants in francophone minority communities and to speak with one voice.
A partnership between the Municipality of Clare and the Société acadienne de Clare and funded by IRCC, CFA de Clare aims to promote inclusive leadership, equitable access to reception and settlement services, economic and employment opportunities and community involvement through a variety of activities and special services.
For more information
Emmanuel Nahimana
Coordinator, Nova Scotia Francophone Immigration Program
Réseau en immigration francophone de la Nouvelle-Écosse
902-433-2028
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