On the day following Canadian Multiculturalism Day and as part of the launch of the platform of the Welcoming Francophone Community of the Seine River Region (WFCSRR), AMBM President Ivan Normandeau issued the following statement:

On the day following Canadian Multiculturalism Day, the AMBM and its partner, the Réseau en immigration francophone du Manitoba (RIFMB), are proud to launch the all new platform of the Welcoming Francophone Community of the Seine River Region (WFCSRR).

This platform is the result of a concerted effort between the RIFMB and the AMBM, with the support of the Réseau communautaire. The purpose of this platform is to inform Francophone newcomers about and direct them to the French-language services available in the region, in order to facilitate their settlement and integration in the Seine River region.

This project is part of the Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative of the Seine River Region (Municipalities of Taché and La Broquerie and the Town of Sainte-Anne) led by the Société de la francophonie manitobaine (SFM) and coordinated and implemented by the RIFMB.

This process demonstrates the growing leadership that the AMBM and its members are exercising within the Francophone immigration continuum in the province, together with the RIFMB and other key players involved in this important issue.

Our goal is to make the new platform into a dynamic tool, demonstrating the welcoming spirit and inclusiveness of our communities.

Manitoba has been a multicultural society since the time of its first inhabitants, the Indigenous peoples. Together, let us recognize and celebrate the many cultures that give life to our communities, especially the Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) that reside here. Yes, our local Francophone communities are multicultural and vibrant!

The recent tragic events in London, Ontario were atrocious and we strongly condemn any manifestation of hatred and intolerance. In AMBM member municipalities, as throughout the province, our values of hospitality, sharing and safety are very strong. It is by building authentic, human and respectful relationships with newcomers that we all build welcoming Francophone and bilingual communities.

The Association of Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (AMBM) is the voice of bilingual municipal leadership in the province of Manitoba. It represents 15 local governments committed to providing services in both official languages to their citizens. Manitoba’s bilingual municipal leadership is also at the helm of the AMBM Group, a consortium of three complementary organizations: the AMBM, the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM) and Eco-West Canada (EWC), which has specialized in the green economy since 2008. These three complementary organizations actively contribute to the development, vitality and sustainability of the province’s Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs), including the French-speaking Métis.

Information: Office of the Chief Executive Officer (O-CEO), 204-289-4077, [email protected].