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PRESS RELEASE

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For Immediate Release

2011 Census

Provincial Growth of French Community

 

St John´s, NL, October 25, 2012 – It is with great pride and pleasure that the Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador (FFTNL) viewed the recent figures for linguistic characteristics of Canadians from Statistics Canada´s 2011 Census. They revealed a significant increase; notably a 36% growth of the number of francophones in our province.

"These results are very encouraging and confirm our predictions" notes FFTNL president, Mr. Jules Custodio.

"This is the result of years of work by dedicated individuals for the development of our communities as well as the strengthening our cultural identity through various means; namely activities focused on our youth not to mention a sharp increase in French services and activities that were made possible thanks to financial support from the federal and provincial governments. This not only justifies but further reinforces our recent requests which include the expansion of the Centre scolaire et communautaire des Grands-Vents in St. John´s, a region where the Francophone population has increased by no less than 59% since 2006, and our requests for an increase in the operational capacity within community, ensuring the needs of our growing population will be met. It is essential that collective support, from communities and governments, continue to sustain the growth of our French-speaking community in our province" adds Mr. Custodio.

We have witnessed, in recent years, an important trend reversal; Statistics Canada figures illustrate that 3,015 people indicated French as their mother tongue in 2011. Meanwhile, the province´s population experienced weaker growth (only 2% population increase). The demographic significance of the Francophone community now represents 0.6% of the total population (compared to 0.4% in previous years). We have not seen figures like these for many, many decades.

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The Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve t du Labrador (FFTNL) has worked since 1973 to defend and promote the rights and interests of the Acadian and Francophone community of Newfoundland and Labrador. Its mission is to promote and facilitate the development of Francophonie in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Information :

• Gaël Corbineau, executive director=
  Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador
  65, chemin Ridge, suite 233 - Saint-Jean (T.N.-et-L.) - A1B 4P5
  Courriel: dg@fftnl.ca - Téléphone: (709) 722-0627

 

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